[casual_games] Yes we need more FPS

[Kirby, Neil A (Neil)]

Marty Plumbo wrote:

>

> Seriously do we really need yet another FPS?

>

> -----  Or another Zuma?  Or Diner Dash?  Or Anything Tycoon?


The idea that FPS has nothing new to offer seems reasonable until
someone comes out with the next cool idea.  At that point we all then
declare that FPS has again finally reached the point where it has
nothing new to offer.  

The game I'd pay retail for is Lego Star wars with a first person combat
system.  Same game mechanics.  Same easy controls - like a casual game,
you can teach your friends how to play in no time.  The two person mode
with easy entry / exit means you can fire it up at a party and let folks
take turns easily.  

[OK, so maybe I'm sick, but some days I really want to play a Lego Star
wars FPS 16-player LAN death match.  That's not the topic of this
missive.  And the Lego in-jokes about involving the word "stud" could be
every bit as juvenile as what you hear in Unreal, but I digress.]

But what I have said for years is that exploring is best done in third
person and combat in first.  So in the Lego Star wars case, when I pull
out that light saber, please drop me into first person so I know what
I'm actually going to hit with the thing (and so my son next to me does
as well).  Lego handles "own goal" pretty well, but still it's a pain.
And when I put the saber away, third person is best to see all the cool
things the level designer put in for me.  

You could even have camera AI so that when I do a flashy combat move
like jump+attack the camera pulls back to chase-cam position or so,
giving me the nice view of my character executing the move (during which
time it's not accepting control input, so camera angle does not penalize
me).    

---
Neil Kirby              +1.614.367.5524        Hope is not a strategy
Bell Laboratories     nak at alcatel-lucent.com   Prayer is not a process
6200 E. Broad St.                              Tuning is not a plan
Columbus, OH 43213      USA                    Chaos does not scale