Taffer36 on 13/5/2009 at 00:33
My biggest problem with including both in games is that it never really seems to work that well. Take Oblivion for example - the third person in that game was UTTER SHIT.
Plus I think it actually detracts from presentation in a way. I'd rather the game focus on one viewpoint and be built entirely around creating the most immersive gameplay experience possible from that viewpoint. Regardless of the "you don't have to use it if you don't like to" argument. It's weird and I usually think that more options is better in most cases, but when it comes to viewpoint I've always felt that games need to pick one and dedicate themselves to it. If you're gonna be third-person, build EVERY SINGLE gameplay mechanic to work with third-person. If you're first-person, KEEP THE PLAYER IN FIRST PERSON (with the exception of somewhat arcade-y games like R6V). That's why Half-life 2 was so incredible, it was unrelenting in how it forced you to stay in Freeman's head.
Dante on 13/5/2009 at 00:38
First person. I'm parroting, but I'll say it anyway: It's more fun and more intense.
But here's my real personal problem with third person: When I play video games, I go for every advantage I can get barring cheating. The big thing with third is using it as a cheat to spin the camera (I try to visualize Garrett ripping out his own eyeballs and using telekinesis flying them away) around corners. Why would I play in first when I can play in third? Sure, it's ultimately more enjoyable, but it feels inferior, so I have no choice but to use third and maximize my strengths. Therefore I wind up playing in third 95% of the time. It's practical.
Maybe it's an OCD thing.
Reliance on 13/5/2009 at 00:39
Quote Posted by gunsmoke
Both. You don;t have to ever use 3rd person in deadly shadows. Why do people care it is there? If you don't like it, don't use it.
Just like The Suffering and Dead to Rights. They have 1st person/3rd person modes, and they are independent of one another. Both work just as well.
Sadly, all that time spent programming both the third and first person view and balancing the mechanics so both would work is, realistically speaking, wasted trying to find the median. I would much rather have one perfected system rather than both and, for me, first person is more immersive and better for the series.
Dia on 13/5/2009 at 00:50
Quote Posted by Reliance
Sadly, all that time spent programming both the third and first person view and balancing the mechanics so both would work is, realistically speaking, wasted trying to find the median. I would much rather have one perfected system rather than both and, for me, first person is more immersive and better for the series.
Seconded. I wasn't aware that programming both 1st and 3rd views could actually detract from the development quality of a game. If that's true then I would much rather see the devs focus on 1st person and the quality of the game in general.
Even though I kick butt playing some console games in the 3rd person, when I tried to play TDS in the 3rd person I just kept running into things, going the wrong way, and getting mucked up in general especially when I'd switch back to the 1st person view. I'm sure there are Taffers out there who excel at playing in the 3rd person, but unfortunately I'm not one of them.
P.S. And no, Yandros; I am
not a Console Tard! :p
Reliance on 13/5/2009 at 00:59
Oh, and I remembered, consoles can handle first person games just fine, so there is no excuse to "had to implement for sake of the consoles". Whatever they choose, they just need to get it polished for an enjoyable experience.
kamyk on 13/5/2009 at 01:18
I play 3rd person games. Loved Resident Evil 4, love platform games. I play consoles as well as PC.
But, of all the things that make up the "Classic Thief Experience", I think the one thing more than anything that would actually make my very dev tolerant pov turn sour would be forced 3rd person.
Thief is NOT meant for 3rd person.
Scots Taffer on 13/5/2009 at 01:23
This should be a public poll as part of a name and shame campaign!
SneakyJack on 13/5/2009 at 03:09
Lets leave 3rd person for Tomb Raider, Assassin's Creed and Prince Of Persia and keep Thief 1st person. Just sayin'.
clearing on 13/5/2009 at 03:18
First person. Undeniable.
greypatch3 on 13/5/2009 at 04:42
I actually found myself switching back and forth in DS, but it wasn't really for game mechanics...I just liked varying it up occasionally (and at first, I did it just so I could see what Garrett looked like, but when I finally realized he looked pretty much like everybody else save a green eye, it sort of ruined the mystique). Don't know why, but it felt a little cinematic at times, like during the rare occasion when wall-hug seemed useful, it was sort of cool to see Garrett standing there while the guard brushed by a few inches away. It does sort of ruin the "Oh, crap!" experience of the first two games...running away from zombies and haunts isn't quite as scary when it's not technically YOU running from them. FP is the most important mode, though, and while I wouldn't mind TP it is definitely the second place contender.
What I would like to see, though, is more and better implementation of the body awareness. As buggy as it may have gotten, I still loved looking straight down and seeing a pair of feet and arms off to the sides. It is immersive; sometimes playing these games I feel like a giant floating eyeball with a gun. Or blackjack, as the case may be.
EDIT: And remember, 3rd person could've been a lot worse...anybody ever play Duke 3D or Unreal in third person. Good grief, were those crappy.
