Trousers wrote:
What I reckon is that whilst I probably am that split second slower in reaction time with age has come a less urgent style of play where I will actually formulate some form of strategy before launching into a level for the umpteenth time. There's obviously other factors like controllers being better, screens being larger and HD, being able to watch replays of people on youtube etc and the ongoing challenge of the leaderboards spurring me on but that's only a small percentage of it.
I pretty much agree with all of that. Even 5 years ago, the thought of actually trying to chain enemies in Ikaruga would have reduced me to a pile of mush and I'd have just played it to blast everything as quickly as possible. But blimey, sitting down a couple of nights ago and trying to perfect the chaining technique wasn't just productive, it was a lot of bloody fun as well.
I'd definitely say I'm moderately spurred on by on-line leaderboards. I practically did a lap of honour round the living room when I beat your Ikaruga score a few days ago (not that it lasted long of course, grumble, grumble!) and it definitely gives me that extra nudge to try and improve my scores.