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Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs Discussion Topic Part 1
Bridge Offline
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RE: Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs Discussion

(12-13-2012, 07:52 PM)Hirnwirbel Wrote:
Quote: There is a very fine line between simplicity and insipidity and I think they are crossing it.
Maybe, but even if they are, I'm still in favour of them doing it. For even "failed experiments" are better than having innovation in games stagnate.
I thought Mirror's Edge's attempt to combine first person and high-speed platforming was a horrible motionsickness-inducing failure, but I still applaud the fact that someone tried it out instead of relying on as proven formula instead Wink
Maybe we need games that try out the extremes of the medium every once in a while, to learn from them and to get inspiration. So even if this game turns out to be too simplified and thus boring and shallow in the end, I will still be supporting the "sciency mindset" that led to it's creation.
First off, sorry for the quintuple post, for some reason my posts didn't seem to register and so I tried a few times. Looks like they were stuck in purgatory between pages 72 and 73. Anyway, I'm not against experimentation at all, I just question their motives for this simplification. I won't pretend to be an avid reader of Thomas' blog but I have read quite a few articles and I just find myself disagreeing with him on the fundamentals, even though he does have great ideas. I think his insatiable lust for "immersion" sometimes gets in the way of actual game design. He is dissatisfied with the cold fact that video games are limited by what you make them do and that the player can never have full control (and there is always some metagaming involved - always).

But instead of designing games around that imperfection he seems to want to simplify it to the point where the player really has no options at all except for psychological ones. Why don't I find this fascinating? Because the majority of games give you close to no options for interacting with your environment, and it's boring. Totally lifeless, you're stuck doing what the game wants you to do and most important of all - all immersion is gone. Not being able to do something you could easily be able to do in real life is really frustrating, and that's when I first start consciously realizing I'm playing a video game, not when I can interact with everything. Just because some people throw barrels around and make funny voices doesn't mean that everyone will inevitably follow suit. That's also one of the reasons I like Penumbra more than Amnesia, the fact that you can click on almost everything and get a text pop-up with some info. Usually it's pretty pointless, but it gives you a little feel for the environment. In Amnesia, all you have are notes which tell you only what you have to know. I don't find that a step up at all, in fact it separates you even more from the environment. I think Call of Cthulhu did this best, where you could examine pretty much every conspicuous item and get a voice acted monologue. It just builds up the atmosphere because you get some info your character would know but you don't.

I think he (and I don't pretend to know anything about him) doesn't understand that the human mind can cancel out almost anything with a little dedication. It can fill in the blanks with some imagination and the experience won't be any less immersive. For example: having an inventory system. In real life you don't see a screen pop up and you click on the items you want from your pocket, but I don't even think about it when playing games because it's just a natural thing to have to interact with the game world in this way. To me taking away items is not a solution, it just makes the game more sterile and boring. I don't care how good the story is, at that point you may as well be watching a movie or reading a book.
12-14-2012, 11:28 AM
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Messages In This Thread
RE: Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs Discussion - by Bridge - 12-14-2012, 11:28 AM
Amnesia: a machine for pigs? - by Danny Boy - 02-26-2012, 03:12 PM
RE: Amnesia: a machine for pigs? - by Googolplex - 02-26-2012, 06:06 PM
RE: Amnesia: a machine for pigs? - by Tanshaydar - 02-26-2012, 11:25 PM
RE: Amnesia: a machine for pigs? - by Exostalker - 02-27-2012, 09:07 PM
RE: Amnesia: a machine for pigs? - by Dark Knight - 02-27-2012, 10:31 PM
RE: Amnesia: a machine for pigs? - by nemesis567 - 02-27-2012, 10:37 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Nyarlathotep - 04-24-2012, 10:19 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by kartanonperuna - 04-24-2012, 12:59 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Googolplex - 04-24-2012, 04:59 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by eliasfrost - 04-24-2012, 05:13 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Electra - 04-24-2012, 05:16 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by nemesis567 - 04-24-2012, 05:17 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by eliasfrost - 04-24-2012, 05:23 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Traggey - 04-24-2012, 06:55 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by GrAVit - 04-25-2012, 10:14 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Khyrpa - 04-25-2012, 10:42 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by GrAVit - 04-25-2012, 11:05 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Khyrpa - 04-26-2012, 12:13 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Kman - 04-26-2012, 12:47 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Nyarlathotep - 04-26-2012, 12:54 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Patacorow - 04-26-2012, 01:15 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Kman - 04-26-2012, 02:17 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Gunslingerjh - 04-27-2012, 08:46 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by samueljustice00 - 04-28-2012, 10:24 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by GrAVit - 04-28-2012, 10:46 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by RawkBandMan - 04-29-2012, 04:50 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Adny - 04-29-2012, 04:55 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Juby - 04-29-2012, 08:28 PM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by Chrysler - 05-02-2012, 10:02 AM
RE: Mikko Tarmia for AAMFP? - by TGST - 05-03-2012, 03:49 PM
Custom stories with Machine for Pigs? - by X4anco - 05-06-2012, 08:25 PM
A Machine For Pigs Trailer?? - by xPICKLEMONSTER - 06-13-2012, 08:44 PM
RE: A Machine For Pigs Trailer?? - by Traggey - 06-13-2012, 08:45 PM
Machine for pigs trailer out :D - by Tesseract - 06-15-2012, 11:47 AM
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs teaser - by Rapture - 06-15-2012, 05:18 PM
RE: AAMFP - custom story compatibility? - by Adny - 07-23-2012, 03:44 AM
AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-04-2012, 10:20 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Lasmik - 08-04-2012, 11:57 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Traggey - 08-04-2012, 12:03 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Traggey - 08-04-2012, 12:52 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-04-2012, 02:37 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-04-2012, 06:12 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Bridge - 08-04-2012, 07:13 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Lucas - 08-04-2012, 07:46 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-04-2012, 08:14 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Traggey - 08-04-2012, 08:16 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Traggey - 08-04-2012, 10:12 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by GrAVit - 08-05-2012, 01:28 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by GrAVit - 08-05-2012, 02:14 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by zaggnut - 08-05-2012, 05:12 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by spukrian - 08-05-2012, 02:28 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Statyk - 08-05-2012, 05:50 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-05-2012, 06:10 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-05-2012, 08:51 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Rapture - 08-06-2012, 03:50 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by linus22 - 08-07-2012, 08:58 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-08-2012, 07:49 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Traggey - 08-08-2012, 11:16 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by spukrian - 08-09-2012, 12:05 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-10-2012, 06:17 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by darkely - 08-10-2012, 12:59 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by spukrian - 08-10-2012, 07:08 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by darkely - 08-10-2012, 07:32 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by darkely - 08-10-2012, 07:43 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by darkely - 08-10-2012, 08:00 PM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Deep One - 08-10-2012, 08:16 PM
Pigs and level doors.. - by raptorhunter6 - 08-14-2012, 09:25 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by lolmaster - 08-14-2012, 09:28 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Obliviator27 - 08-14-2012, 09:31 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Traggey - 08-14-2012, 09:37 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Bridge - 08-15-2012, 12:20 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Froge - 08-15-2012, 12:34 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by raptorhunter6 - 08-15-2012, 07:46 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Potato - 08-15-2012, 09:50 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by cantremember - 08-15-2012, 10:05 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Janiel - 08-15-2012, 10:51 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Damascus Rose - 08-15-2012, 06:45 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Zaffre - 08-15-2012, 07:43 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Streetboat - 08-15-2012, 09:48 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by lolmaster - 08-15-2012, 09:51 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Traggey - 08-15-2012, 09:52 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Streetboat - 08-15-2012, 10:01 PM
lol fag - by Damascus Rose - 08-15-2012, 10:33 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Froge - 08-15-2012, 11:31 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by failedALIAS - 08-16-2012, 03:12 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by skyhawk02 - 08-16-2012, 07:27 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Statyk - 08-16-2012, 07:42 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Traggey - 08-16-2012, 08:01 AM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by raptorhunter6 - 08-16-2012, 06:38 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Gaviao - 08-18-2012, 06:12 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by lolmaster - 08-18-2012, 06:29 PM
RE: Pigs and level doors.. - by Potato - 08-18-2012, 08:00 PM
A Machine for pigs! - by SkyBone - 08-23-2012, 09:49 AM
RE: AAMFP - lantern or flashlight? - by Zolastar - 09-22-2012, 11:41 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by Zaffre - 10-23-2012, 03:06 AM
RE: Improving monsters - by darkely - 10-23-2012, 03:09 AM
RE: Improving monsters - by Zaffre - 10-23-2012, 03:41 AM
RE: Improving monsters - by GrAVit - 10-23-2012, 05:47 AM
RE: Improving monsters - by Piacesi - 10-23-2012, 10:48 AM
RE: Improving monsters - by xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - 10-23-2012, 11:28 AM
RE: Improving monsters - by Kreekakon - 10-23-2012, 11:44 AM
RE: Improving monsters - by FlawlessHappiness - 10-23-2012, 12:38 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - 10-23-2012, 03:09 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by Deep One - 10-23-2012, 03:57 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by Piacesi - 10-23-2012, 04:41 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by CorinthianMerchant - 10-23-2012, 05:12 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by Kreekakon - 10-23-2012, 05:18 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by Piacesi - 10-23-2012, 05:24 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by Kreekakon - 10-23-2012, 05:29 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by Piacesi - 10-23-2012, 05:57 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by MyRedNeptune - 10-23-2012, 08:25 PM
RE: Improving monsters - by Piacesi - 10-23-2012, 09:48 PM
Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Zaffre - 10-26-2012, 10:58 PM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Potato - 10-27-2012, 12:04 AM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Bridge - 10-27-2012, 12:15 AM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Zaffre - 10-27-2012, 12:47 AM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Bridge - 10-27-2012, 01:35 AM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Zaffre - 10-27-2012, 01:52 AM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Melvin - 10-27-2012, 02:10 AM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Froge - 10-27-2012, 10:54 PM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Bridge - 10-28-2012, 01:58 PM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by WALP - 10-28-2012, 02:47 PM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Bridge - 10-28-2012, 08:40 PM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Froge - 10-28-2012, 08:42 PM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Zaffre - 10-28-2012, 11:02 PM
RE: Dishonored or A Machine For Pigs? - by Arvuti - 10-31-2012, 07:42 PM
Questions about AAMFP - by Artyom - 12-19-2012, 10:46 PM
RE: So... what's going on with AAMFP? - by Adny - 01-19-2013, 02:10 AM
RE: So... what's going on with AAMFP? - by Kman - 01-19-2013, 04:28 AM
RE: So... what's going on with AAMFP? - by Adny - 01-19-2013, 04:53 AM
RE: So... what's going on with AAMFP? - by Statyk - 01-19-2013, 06:44 AM
Aamfp question mark - by Coldy - 01-25-2013, 09:22 PM
RE: Aamfp question mark - by Statyk - 01-25-2013, 09:42 PM
Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs in 3D ? - by Vonicon - 02-19-2013, 02:04 PM
Machine for Pigs - fan story - by Damascus - 03-02-2013, 01:31 AM
RE: Machine for Pigs - fan story - by Froge - 03-02-2013, 03:14 AM
RE: Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs in 3D ? - by 3dge - 03-08-2013, 05:14 PM
RE: Machine for Pigs - fan story - by Gharren - 03-08-2013, 07:20 PM
RE: Machine for Pigs - fan story - by AdamD - 03-08-2013, 09:44 PM
RE: Machine for Pigs - fan story - by failedALIAS - 03-08-2013, 10:28 PM
RE: Machine for Pigs - fan story - by jiersk - 03-09-2013, 01:43 AM
Hopes for A machine for pigs - by jglitch - 03-21-2013, 08:43 PM
RE: Hopes for A machine for pigs - by bluel0bster - 03-21-2013, 10:34 PM



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