Realism vs. fun
- Thread starter MichaelH
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I find it strange that someone mentioned Portal as being an example of how enhanced realism helped a game's appeal, because I would have argued the exact opposite point -- Portal's appeal was enhanced because the devs didn't shoot for realism and instead focused on gameplay. Anyone who listened to the commentary tracks (lord...such a nerd) heard the tales of how the environments were scaled WAY back to keep players focused on the puzzles.
But imagery was only part of the point of this post. The other side to realism is all the mundanity that goes along with making something feel "real." To paraphrase Yahtzee, there is a great deal to GTA IV that feels like doing chores, not playing games. Same with hyper-sandbox RPGs like Oblivion. I'm only 10 hours into GTA IV, but I'm already at the point where I wish I could find the button combo that would let me smash that fucking cellphone.
But imagery was only part of the point of this post. The other side to realism is all the mundanity that goes along with making something feel "real." To paraphrase Yahtzee, there is a great deal to GTA IV that feels like doing chores, not playing games. Same with hyper-sandbox RPGs like Oblivion. I'm only 10 hours into GTA IV, but I'm already at the point where I wish I could find the button combo that would let me smash that fucking cellphone.
I dislike some the added realism in GTAIV. While I love the realistic looking surrogate New York, the better methods of Police Pursuit and how you buy weapons I REALLY hate the new driving engine. I'm sorry Rockstar, handbreak turns and the ability to engage in high-speed car chases without spinning out = fun, no the burdensome realism inherent in the game at the moment, everytime I try and run from the cops I end up getting killed and every time I have to chase someone I find myself swearing at the screen because they can make better turns some how.
No worries, I think artists and designers are more important than ever if a game is going to have any style or grace. It's money well spent, I just hate the idea of everyone thinking games should look or play more like RL.fix-the-spade said:
This aspect of "realism" slipped my mind, and I think you've touched on a major point. I want to be able to do things I can't do in real life. It's not a difficult concept. Give me back my @#$#$%^& handbrake turns.PedroSteckecilo said:
Also added to this heading would be racing games that make you sit on your roof for 30 seconds when you lose control and flip instead of just turning you the eff back over so you can keep playing.
That is one of my major gripes with GTA4. I checked my stats to see what my average speed was and it turned out be just a shade over 30 miles an hour. The excitement is never-ending!MichaelH said:
I think that if these hyper-realistic game designers actually went out and saw the real world, they'd say "Meh, the graphics look too cartoonish, it should be more realistic," because they apparently can't seem to grasp the notion that there are other colors in the world besides brown, gray, and very dark green.
GTA needs to take some lessons from Saints Row...
Colorful Pretty World
Tougher Vehicles
Really Fun Driving Controls
Though some of the airtime/flips and such in GTA IV beat the snot out of Saints Row.
Colorful Pretty World
Tougher Vehicles
Really Fun Driving Controls
Though some of the airtime/flips and such in GTA IV beat the snot out of Saints Row.
Turbo Extreme Phone Operator!!
Realistic like no other video-phone game and fun like a rocks behind!
Realistic like no other video-phone game and fun like a rocks behind!
I have to admit, i can´t stand realism in games above a certain level. Realistic shooters like CoD 1-36 or driving sims like Gran Turismo or Forza are no fun. Give me Quake 3 and Burnout.
The one thing i have a giant personal grudge against is night and day shift in RPGs. It is just annoying as hell. Okay, it adds a little bit atmosphere, but at least allow me to disable it. I remember Gothic, Morrowind, Oblivion, MM6... night sucks. You can´t see anything, shops are closed!!!, i am just forced to press "wait for 6 hours". Oh, the hate.
The one thing i have a giant personal grudge against is night and day shift in RPGs. It is just annoying as hell. Okay, it adds a little bit atmosphere, but at least allow me to disable it. I remember Gothic, Morrowind, Oblivion, MM6... night sucks. You can´t see anything, shops are closed!!!, i am just forced to press "wait for 6 hours". Oh, the hate.
GTA 4 wasn't as great as i had hoped,
It's still a great game, but it is almost TOO realistic.
How great was it in Vice city when you were escaping from a 4 star wanted level, and could hand break turn beautifuly round a corner and continue your escape?
Tried this in GTA 4 and spun out of control, hit a tree and went flying through the windscreen (granted was preaty cool).
Bring back FUN and EXCITING driving!!!
It's still a great game, but it is almost TOO realistic.
How great was it in Vice city when you were escaping from a 4 star wanted level, and could hand break turn beautifuly round a corner and continue your escape?
Tried this in GTA 4 and spun out of control, hit a tree and went flying through the windscreen (granted was preaty cool).
Bring back FUN and EXCITING driving!!!
Realism works if you have a deep game world to go with it. Added realism can suck you into a gaming world that feels authentic because number one, it looks real and number two it has depth.
If you want a game that's primarily about 'fun', then realism doesn't always work, and it can hinder the game.
If you want a game that's primarily about 'fun', then realism doesn't always work, and it can hinder the game.
I think it's a problem when realism means too many details. In the real world you normally get sensory overload when you walk down a street in Tokyo; in a game you're frequently running down the street in Neo-Tokyo carving up whores with dual chainsaws while fifty spaceships and tanks are shooting at you and you're supposed to hunt down a maniac in a car and listen to radio instructions and save the free world at the same time. What do they think happens when they add motion blur, adrenaline fog, breath fog on the inside of your visor and freaking lens flares on top of that? It doesn't matter if it's immersive if it's impossible to play.