UI Loss (Do it? Don't do it?!??)

AJ · 2002-08-08T04:45:34

What do you think about games where the player loses the ability to utilize the user interface because of gameplay events or poor decisions. Some examples I''ve seen: Minimap loss - Westwood''s C&C style games often caused you to lose the ability to send units quickly over the map as well as quickly see the field if you lost certain structures. Control Confusion - Phantasy Star Online caused your button functions to become randomized each second as a result of being hit by enemies which had "confusion" as their special attack. Paralysis - PSO again caused the player to not be able to access interface shortcuts for things like healing. You could still heal, but it was slow and very inefficient to bring up a series of menus to do so. What do you think? When, if ever, is it okay to cause UI loss? If you''d cause UI loss, how would you handle it? -------------------- Just waiting for the mothership...

Game Design and Theory Game Design

Started by Wavinator August 03, 2002 01:37 AM

11 comments, last by Wavinator 22 years, 5 months ago

Grimjack

122

August 07, 2002 02:53 AM

I think it is alright to remove the use of the GUI in certain cases. The minimap from the C&C series was good and added a good tactical depth. The loss of the minimap is important since you can see everything on the (explored) map. I wouldn''t implement loss of quicksave or ability to set waypoints...

::aggression is the result of fear::

::aggression is the result of fear::

Just3D

122

August 07, 2002 05:00 PM

UI loss can be very effective for an action RPG. Gor instance, status effects won''t hamper your ingame character, just the player.

Blindness (partial/full) causes the screen to go black. Unlike in Final Fantasy, you would still be able to function properly, but your aim will logically be lessened. A moment like this occurred while I was playing Ocarina of Time. One boss required the lens of truth in order to see and shoot with arrows. I accidentally turned off the lens and didn''t have time to reactivate before it lunged at me so I whipped out an arrow, guessed a direction and fired. Voila! I actually hit it! But I very well might not have.

Paralysis would be an obvious implementation.

Confusion/Fear can be done in a hundred different ways,just look at Eternal Darkness. insanity can be subtle (near the end of Metal Gear Solid 2) or obvious, like a screwed up control scheme (ala Illusion of Gaia).

Exhaustion could cause stumbling, or hallucinations (similar to confusion but much less).

Poisoning could be done simply where your player loses health by movement, or more complex by having dieases. A lung disease could lead to severe exhaustion. A leg condition would lead to paralysis. A stomach virus could cause...other...complications.

Petrification could be slow like the T-1000 being frozen in Liquid Nitrogen from Terminator 2.

Well, those are my thoughts on the UI situation. I think it adds a deeper level of immersion when used effectively.

"There are only three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can''t."

Just3D
Justin Nordin
J Squared Productions
www.jsquaredproductions.com

"There are only three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't."Just3DJustin NordinJ Squared Productionswww.jsquaredproductions.com