There has been much talk about design, or puzzle creation, or tasks that require a "human" mind. I would like to bring into question exactly what random content (specifically randomly-generated dungeons) brings to games as far as gameplay is concerned. I believe that using AI to extend and replace the capabilities of random content could create a better gameplay experience, even if at this point it lacks the ability to design, etc.
So, what does random content bring to a game? At first glance, I would say not a whole lot. After all, this only creates different content on each run through, but it doesn't alter the basic gameplay. However, it is a fun feature in that it almost forces the player to actually "play" the game. Randomly generated dungeons force exploration. In general, random events force a sort of "trial-and-error" routine that the player must go through in order to progress through the game. You aren't allowed to memorize the map, seek out the best items immediately, or follow the walkthrough; you actually have to play the game.
So, it's not just a marketing ploy; it does have consequences on how the game is actually played. However, it kind of drops off there. Sure, you can create more complex, or deeper levels of randomness...perhaps even throw in a simple puzzle variant or two, but it pretty much ends there.
A big point to consider would be what is the player's perception of their abilities within the game's world. One of the things that really kills the gameplay for me, personally, in games like Nethack, Diablo, and.Hack is the feeling that my abilities do not possess any control. That is to say, I want the world to test my skill, and perhaps adapt to my actions, thus giving the feeling that I am somehow altering the world indirectly through my own actions.
Of course, there do not exist many games that accomplish such a feat, but those that do, even in the most trivial ways, give something more to the formula than Explore, Kill, Collect, Explore, etc. And this is pretty much my point: Random content in games has some use, but by using AI, we can create dynamic content that not only seems logical but can also adapt, or otherwise be extended, to accomodate a player's capability or skill level.
Therefore, I respect random content, but I believe that the future lies with AI-controlled dynamic content.
...and what about all those millions of dollars they spent with IBM and Toshiba, developing their "cell technology"? (Anyone have the figures for that?)
What? They're going to throw all that expensive research away and go with an Commercial Off-the-Shelf product? Um,...probably not.
I always find it interesting when people try and analyse the reasons why Person X does Behavior Y.
It seems as though these philosophers/experts/whatever are pretty set at debating the morals of cheating in games, as has been reflected in the posts to the story as well, but I don't think that's the end of the story.
I used to use cheats when I was young (not that I'm very old now), but that was just a way of getting through the game on a very restricted schedule of play (my parents didn't let me veg out in front of the TV). It had nothing to do with usurping power, and I've never cheated at anything outside of videogames.
Right now, I personally don't choose to cheat at games because I feel it takes away from the experience of figuring out the game on my own. However, I won't look badly upon somebody who does decide to cheat. I'm sure many people have many different, even valid, reasons for using cheats in videogames.
...yeah, I guess the diminishing sales of Laura Croft related items is because of diversification.
It couldn't be the tired, uninnovative, poorly QA tested, rushed to market games...or the typical videogame-licensed movie that reeks of B Action flick.
You know, I was fully expecting to see some sort of DOA rip off from the sound of that title, but instead, when I followed the link, I was treated to the exquisite nausea of what looked like a warp hole back to the days of interactive multimedia games on the 32X-CD Sega Genesis.
What else are we to expect, ports of Corpse Killer and Night Trap?
Um, I'm pretty sure the sea levels would indeed rise, as the ice caps are not in the ocean, they're on land.
Ice caps occur when continental crust moves into the polar regions of the Earth. Land gives a place for the ice to form. Otherwise, the North and South Poles would be nothing but cold oceans.
So far I haven't seen anyone bring up the fact that consoles are entering into the online multiplayer community.
Cross-platform gaming is going to become extremely important not only between Macs and PCs but also with if not today's console systems, then tomorrow's.
I would love to see games like Halo, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Tetris (Why not?) played throughout an all-encompassing community including Macs, PCs, Playstations, and X-Boxes. Hell, let's get those portable systems in there too!
Slashdot Mirror
There has been much talk about design, or puzzle creation, or tasks that require a "human" mind. I would like to bring into question exactly what random content (specifically randomly-generated dungeons) brings to games as far as gameplay is concerned. I believe that using AI to extend and replace the capabilities of random content could create a better gameplay experience, even if at this point it lacks the ability to design, etc.
.Hack is the feeling that my abilities do not possess any control. That is to say, I want the world to test my skill, and perhaps adapt to my actions, thus giving the feeling that I am somehow altering the world indirectly through my own actions.
So, what does random content bring to a game? At first glance, I would say not a whole lot. After all, this only creates different content on each run through, but it doesn't alter the basic gameplay. However, it is a fun feature in that it almost forces the player to actually "play" the game. Randomly generated dungeons force exploration. In general, random events force a sort of "trial-and-error" routine that the player must go through in order to progress through the game. You aren't allowed to memorize the map, seek out the best items immediately, or follow the walkthrough; you actually have to play the game.
So, it's not just a marketing ploy; it does have consequences on how the game is actually played. However, it kind of drops off there. Sure, you can create more complex, or deeper levels of randomness...perhaps even throw in a simple puzzle variant or two, but it pretty much ends there.
A big point to consider would be what is the player's perception of their abilities within the game's world. One of the things that really kills the gameplay for me, personally, in games like Nethack, Diablo, and
Of course, there do not exist many games that accomplish such a feat, but those that do, even in the most trivial ways, give something more to the formula than Explore, Kill, Collect, Explore, etc. And this is pretty much my point: Random content in games has some use, but by using AI, we can create dynamic content that not only seems logical but can also adapt, or otherwise be extended, to accomodate a player's capability or skill level.
Therefore, I respect random content, but I believe that the future lies with AI-controlled dynamic content.
...and what about all those millions of dollars they spent with IBM and Toshiba, developing their "cell technology"? (Anyone have the figures for that?)
What? They're going to throw all that expensive research away and go with an Commercial Off-the-Shelf product? Um,...probably not.
ATI made the chipset for the Gamecube. Look on the front of one; they bear the ATI logo in the lower corner.
Microsoft: bringing America's 'greatest' games to the entire world!
/.ers, rhetorical... We all know the answer to that one.)
Honestly, with the exception of Tao Feng, those are all sports games...very, very American sports games.
Is Microsoft retarded? (Rhetorical question
I always find it interesting when people try and analyse the reasons why Person X does Behavior Y.
It seems as though these philosophers/experts/whatever are pretty set at debating the morals of cheating in games, as has been reflected in the posts to the story as well, but I don't think that's the end of the story.
I used to use cheats when I was young (not that I'm very old now), but that was just a way of getting through the game on a very restricted schedule of play (my parents didn't let me veg out in front of the TV). It had nothing to do with usurping power, and I've never cheated at anything outside of videogames.
Right now, I personally don't choose to cheat at games because I feel it takes away from the experience of figuring out the game on my own. However, I won't look badly upon somebody who does decide to cheat. I'm sure many people have many different, even valid, reasons for using cheats in videogames.
...yeah, I guess the diminishing sales of Laura Croft related items is because of diversification.
It couldn't be the tired, uninnovative, poorly QA tested, rushed to market games...or the typical videogame-licensed movie that reeks of B Action flick.
It's called the DISCover.
3 1p 1.html
http://www.gameshark.com/pcgaming/articles/4304
You know, I was fully expecting to see some sort of DOA rip off from the sound of that title, but instead, when I followed the link, I was treated to the exquisite nausea of what looked like a warp hole back to the days of interactive multimedia games on the 32X-CD Sega Genesis.
What else are we to expect, ports of Corpse Killer and Night Trap?
Save the day by changing camera viewpoints!
Um, I'm pretty sure the sea levels would indeed rise, as the ice caps are not in the ocean, they're on land.
Ice caps occur when continental crust moves into the polar regions of the Earth. Land gives a place for the ice to form. Otherwise, the North and South Poles would be nothing but cold oceans.
So far I haven't seen anyone bring up the fact that consoles are entering into the online multiplayer community.
Cross-platform gaming is going to become extremely important not only between Macs and PCs but also with if not today's console systems, then tomorrow's.
I would love to see games like Halo, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Tetris (Why not?) played throughout an all-encompassing community including Macs, PCs, Playstations, and X-Boxes. Hell, let's get those portable systems in there too!