Wouldn't it suck to be the pilot?

[Lamppenkeyboard]

Well, a while back I was playing a console FPS (Killzone 2 if I remember correctly) and on first mission (which is basically the studio trying to recreate D-day in space), the pilot of the landing craft you crash onto the beach with is mentioned as being killed on impact.

I realized, the pilot in these kinds of games always seem to die. You never hear: oh, the pilot is fine, he is seeing what he can do about the engine, or awake to a pilot informing you of the death of your condescending accented commanding officer.

Tell me fellow Escapists, do you think I make a good point, or am I just crazy?

 

[lasherman]

True, and it always happens about 4 seconds after the hero gets off the ship/plane/vehicle

 

[p3t3r]

oh yes i remember in both resident evil 4 and 5 the pilots died.

 

[TaborMallory]

It's simply an overused plot device. Unless the plane crashes headfirst, the pilot has the same chances of surviving than everyone else.

Which reminds me...
In Call of Duty 4, there's a part in the campaign where the player must rescue an injured pilot from a plane (edit) helicopter.

 

[Ghonzor]

True, and it always happens about 4 seconds after the hero gets off the ship/plane/vehicle

Pretty much.

Two things that are sure to get you killed in a game if you're not the main character:

Driving any vehicle that transports said protagonist
Wearing a helmet

 

[Satis]

Well the Pilot is more expendable.
I mean if your already at your destination then he would just have to sit in the craft while you fight.

 

[Radeonx]

In Call of Duty 4 the pilot lived...then got nuked.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Spoiler: Yes. I point to you Resident Evil 4.

 

[Sassafrass]

You crazy, man...

OT: I've noticed this as well. CoD4 when the heli gets shot down with a missle, pilot dies. Later same game, cobra pilot crashes, rescued by you, then proceeds to die in nuke explosion. And Halo 3...well, show me a pilot who crashed and didn't die.

 

[Radeonx]

You crazy, man...

OT: I've noticed this as well. CoD4 when the heli gets shot down with a missle, pilot dies. Later same game, cobra pilot crashes, rescued by you, then proceeds to die in nuke explosion. And Halo 3...well, show me a pilot who crashed and didn't die.

Foehammer survived through most of Halo: Combat Evolved, then died in the end, saving you.

 

[Sassafrass]

You crazy, man...

OT: I've noticed this as well. CoD4 when the heli gets shot down with a missle, pilot dies. Later same game, cobra pilot crashes, rescued by you, then proceeds to die in nuke explosion. And Halo 3...well, show me a pilot who crashed and didn't die.

Foehammer survived through most of Halo: Combat Evolved, then died in the end, saving you.

Is it just me or did she reappear in Halo 3 when you attack The Ark?

 

[Radeonx]

You crazy, man...

OT: I've noticed this as well. CoD4 when the heli gets shot down with a missle, pilot dies. Later same game, cobra pilot crashes, rescued by you, then proceeds to die in nuke explosion. And Halo 3...well, show me a pilot who crashed and didn't die.

Foehammer survived through most of Halo: Combat Evolved, then died in the end, saving you.

Is it just me or did she reappear in Halo 3 when you attack The Ark?

I don't know, I'd have to replay it to find out.

 

[MrSnugglesworth]

It's simply an overused plot device. Unless the plane crashes headfirst, the pilot has the same chances of surviving than everyone else.

Which reminds me...
In Call of Duty 4, there's a part in the campaign where the player must rescue an injured pilot from a plane.

Exactly what I thought about when I read post.

 

[Baby Eater]

well if your attacking a vehicle wouldn't it be a good idea to killinize the driver?

 

[RetroViruses]

L4D didn't kill the second pilot, at least (not sure what happens to the first pilot in Crash Course, though...haven't played it)

 

[scnj]

In Deus Ex there's a choice.

 

[YuheJi]

Especially true in WW2 games. For example, CoD5 has that part where the driver in your little boat gets killed as soon as you hit land.

 

[ultracheeser]

I can only think of the Pelicans. "Pelican down, Pelican down..."
God, all they do is crash.