Re: [GD-Design] Speed kills

[Hakan Y. <hak...@3t...>]

"But you didn't address my fundamental point, which is that when
reflexes do matter, controlling the game's overall speed can have a
drastic effect on difficulty."

Speed may be used in some games to make it easier or harder. But I dont
think its a key factor and it shouldnt be used as a key factor. It doesnt
add much to the game. It may make the game difficult or meaningless to play
furter, not challenging. Increasing the speed of some events of reflex based
games may make the game challenging, but there is a very limited usage and
limited effect. I think it doesnt have a drastic effect as you say.

.............(your examples)
Of course it will be harder to react in shorter times but it will be boring
to play. Because theres nothing new. You just became faster.

"Obviously these situations are not the ONLY factors, but speed is a
fundamental control on the difficulty of play in games, and yet it's
widely ignored except as the occasional powerup."

I disagree that "speed is a fundamental control on the difficulty", because
other aspects are much more important than the speed(they are much more
meaninful). But I agree that its not used widely. Some action games may use
speed parameter.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hakan Yuksel
(There is a problem with my mail server.So I send this mail again. I am sory
if you receive again)
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Hook" <ho...@py...>
To: <gam...@li...>
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2003 6:34 PM
Subject: Re: [GD-Design] Speed kills


Hakan,

> My result is changing the speed will not make a game harder or
> easier most of the time(Maybe in a few games it can make).

But that's not what your post was really saying.

You're arguing that games can be improved in other areas to make them
more challenging, which I agree with.  You also assert that even
action games have strategic elements to them which matter as much as
reflexes, which I also agree with.

But you didn't address my fundamental point, which is that when
reflexes do matter, controlling the game's overall speed can have a
drastic effect on difficulty.

If you have five seconds to aim and fire, you will almost always be
more successful than if you have 0.2 seconds.  If you can run towards
the edge of a platform but it feels like you're walking, the odds of
missing that jump are greatly reduced.  If you can see that barrier on
the race track with 3 seconds to react instead of 0.3, you will almost
definitely avoid it.  If an enemy's punch takes 3 seconds to land
instead of 0.1 seconds, you should definitely block or dodge it.

Obviously these situations are not the ONLY factors, but speed is a
fundamental control on the difficulty of play in games, and yet it's
widely ignored except as the occasional powerup.

Brian




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