It is common nowadays to see a game with fifty playable characters, twelve worlds, seventy-five maps along with split-screen and online multi-player capabilities. What does this tell me? Some people had a lot of time on their hands. They probably don't feel too good when they see that their game got a 3.5 out of 10. "But it was BIG! It had fifty characters!". Right there is the whole problem. Where does the game get it's uniqueness with fifty characters? How can you possibly tell an emotional story with fifty characters? How can the player get drawn into a world with twelve different worlds?
This is where many games fall, one after the other every year. It's too big! We think things need to be as technical as possible in this world, where really, it's the little things that count. Players cannot relate to a world with twelve different worlds and fifty playable characters with superpowers. It's just not believable. We live in one world, with usually a pretty small group of friends.
There is so much more to explore in one world, than in twelve.
Taking this one world and making the opportunities for exploration and discovery nearly endless would draw you in closer-- way closer than having multiple worlds with very little time put in to making them believable and alive.
Bellow: The game "Beyond Good & Evil is a great example of making a game smaller, and thus, more detailed.
Maybe look at it this way; you're spreading some nice golden butter across a pancake. When the butter is first applied to the pancake it covers a small area and is "massive". As you spread it out, it thins out until it is nearly invisible. This is true with game worlds. The smaller the world, the thicker the butter. The bigger the world, the thinner the butter.
Remember, the player's view of the world and of the game must be preserved; the world must always seem mysterious and full of unexpected surprises, and so must the game.
Now, moving onto the characters. It is easier, and way more efficient, to have fewer playable characters. Preferably one, in my opinion. Focusing on just one character's point of view and emotions will attach the player to the character in a way not possible with multiple playable characters. It will make the story deeper, and the sense of mystery even more abundant.
It's amazing how a game can become absolutely incredible if one focuses on the smaller things. One world and one playable character ultimately equals one big world and one big playable character.
If you wish to discuss this more, please comment,
Till then,
Peace,
Trev
6 comments:
Sweet Trev you want the game to be the perfect length not too big and not too small normally I'd say 20 hours is good though for some games like Zelda bigger can be better. There are a few games that have accomplished lots of characters like super smash bros but like I said few have done it.
Yeah, Super Smash Bros. is definitely a good example of a game that has a lot of characters and exceeds in being fun. However, the first one was pretty small, but since they've pin pointed the perfect formula they've been able to add more characters etc.
Yeah, twenty hours is pretty ideal these days. but I'm pretty sure you could make a good game that is only fifteen or so. ;)
Yeah 15 even some short games are really fun. For the author key should I let you handle the Posted by Hobbit etc or I'll do it if you tell me how.
Oh yeah! :p
Just copy the "By Hobbit" thing at the author key, then paste it at the top of your post, then make sure there's a space between it and the article. ;)
Trev
Sweet thanks!
:p
I just caught and fixed an error in my article, it said "player" instead of "playable character" at the end. Sorry 'bout that. :p
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