Realism is the quality which defines a work of art, it determines how the artist directs his/her paints or words on the page. obsessing about this aspect of games, I have pondered over the ideal choice between realism and a more relaxed, analytical approach to art. I have long been leaning towards the realism selection, however that being said, I have always been fond of a more analytical approach to fine things…ala paint & ink drawings.
The Quest for realism
As a seasoned adventure and hidden object game player, I have chanced upon a rare breed of games – games which, with the right balance of realistic and abstract, allows the player to create a coherent and interesting story, yet is also able to adapt to their environment. Games such as Fallout, Morrowind, and The Elder Scrolls are perfect examples of these games, each of which, in their own way, is structured around a unique and already well-known setting.
Unfortunately, I have never been able to quite find a game which achieves this balance. I suppose it is impossible for a game to please everyone, nevertheless something needs to be said for trying to please all the players. Some of the games mentioned are pretty much right up there with the competition in terms of graphics, sounds, and depth of the story. The rest of the way around, I find that these games often fail to keep the players on the edge of their seats, as they rely on a tried and tested formula.
The Need for Creativity
One of the most important goals of any game is to capture the player’s imagination and this is best done by keeping them on the edge of their seats. It is all too easy to simply paint crime scenes that look like the real thing – even if this is the only definition you offer of realism. The entire process of creating a user experience often fails to include enough creativity in the decision process. Too often the decision is simply made based on the graphics or sound of a scene, with no consideration of the environment. By not considering environment, the player is left to wonder whether or not they went to the bathroom or took a crap. If realism is the goal, then why aren’t they realistic in nature? Why are they just dots on a screen?
Realism for Gamers
Often the most important part of a video game is the realism of the experience. Consider the following traits:
Classical architecture:It is important to immerse the player in the environment, and forget that they are playing a game.architecture should be faithful to the conventions of the period in question. Why? Because the architecture represents a boundlessly defined set of expectations Expectations. If the architecture does not exude a certain aura, then the players will not know what they are in for.
Fantasy architecture:It is important to remember that fantasy architecture is not always preservation. In addition to representing a certain aura, it should also be colored and detailed enough to avoid being recognized as fantasy. If the architecture is too colorful or detailed, then the players will not know what they are in for. If the environment is not wide enough, then the players will be confused as to what to do. Too narrow a range of motion represents imm predictability.
Siege weapons:When deciding on how to implement siege weapons, there is a certain amount of balancing to be done. If one weapon is stronger than others, it is usually disrippal to use that weapon. If the weapons are effective against one another, then the characters who get the bonuses should get the bonuses. It is important to remember, however, that their bonuses are in relation to their damage, meaning that the character who gets the bonus will usually suffer more damage than the other characters.
Exploration:Exploration is obviously a vital part of adventure games. Getting to that ending is satisfying and full of challenge. The key to adventure games is to let the player make the final decisions on how to proceed in the game. Always keep in mind that if the player wants to see every part of the environment, then some decisions will have to be made earlier.
balancing problem solving:When designing an adventure game, one of the most important aspects of game design is to create a well-balanced game experience. Some of the balancing problems include:
As you can see in the above list, gamemakers have a number of challenges to consider when designing adventures. Getting to design the perfect adventure requires a lot of careful study, memory, and strategy. While the gamemakers expertise is demanding, their designs should not be counterfeit. Keep this in mind when you find yourself creating adventures.
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