Continuing from HUD Feedback thread
The topic is about the discussion between two ideological ideas when designing a game. Both ideas have come up several times in other topics.
When designing a game sometimes different options are given to the player. This sometimes creates the situation that one option is superior in some way in achieving the games objectives. This may be stuff like Input method or display method.
One option to dealing with this is to decide which option fits more with the game and concentrate development on that segment. Trying to create, what I would call a āDefined Experienceā. This does not halt at artificially hindering lowering the effectiveness of one options in ortder to bring them in line with the other option.
One other option is to allow as many options as possible, ignoring inherent inbalances that may bring or may favor a certain option. In order to compensate that certain options can be restricted for certain groups of players that wish that, like custom servers restricting only one type of input or view. I call that the āChoiceā option.
The HUD feedback Thread was starting to derail into discussing these ideas, so in order to not derail it further I created a new thread:
Thatās what a well tuned and thought out default view will do, and most players will use it if it is really well thought out.
This can be turned on its head and work the same way:
If the external view can not have a HUD, then nobody is going to use it unless theyāre forced to, obviating the value of creating high quality player ships in the first place.
I find it a weak argument. Why exactly does the cockpit view need to be forced? Why should a player not be allowed to choose for himself what he prefers? Is a nice cockpit inherently better then a nice outside view of a ship?
How exactly does the option to have an external view break imersion? You never have to switch to that view, itās your choice to do so. How is other players having that choice be a bad thing when it does not influence your view of the game and only theirs?
Exterior view is not designed to be better. It is better in some situations. It may obstruct less of the screen or give a better feeling of position. The developer may choose to hinder its capabilities but just by being different it can have strengths that outperform other options.
It may be more immersive for some players. Some players are more used to ābeingā the ship instead of someone inside of it. Many RPGs have 3rd Person view as a default etc. etc.
I donāt oppose in creating an immersive, coherent experience. I just donāt see how it canāt coexist with a Choice Ideology and why a Difined Experinece Ideology is supposed to be needed to create such immersive games.
As long as there is choice for my playstyle, I happily accept what the default setting is. Even if the default setting is restricting my playstyle on official servers.
If unoficial servers have the options to allow my playstyle, I can go there and ENJOY THE GAME!
And the more choices, options there are THE MORE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY THE GAME!