Mass Effect's primary strong hand is the immersive storytelling. Although there are a few different perspectives to this idea, it is generally accepted that investing more into your character and choices leaves you feeling more effected, both positively and negatively, by your game. Having the opportunity to make that immersion a little bit more like a conversation is a pretty cool step in the right direction. Have a look...
Ok, so it isn't quite as immersive than having a direct interaction with another live person, but it is a really great use of the tech. Originally, I conceived that this technology would make the game seem more like a conversation... The kinect would use the ability to listen to you and see your face to determine any variety of things - lying, fibbing, confidence, anger, etc... A lot of that is well beyond the grasp of maximum technical limitations, and I have a feeling that if the AI ever got that sophisticated we would probably be more worried about a Robot uprising, but it's still fun to dream.
In any case, I think Microsoft's showing at E3 this year really deserves some strong marks. Kinect may not be the gamer's choice of platform, but that sort of immersion always needs mention. I don't have a Kinect and really wasn't planning on ever getting one, but if titles like Mass Effect believe that the experience can be enhanced, then I'll definitely be taking it a little more seriously.
I played Rainbow Six 3 on the old box and it used voice commands. Lead Salad still brings it up every once in a great while about how funny it was watching me get pissed because it didn't always work right.
ReplyDeleteI don't see this as a way of enhancing anything. At least not until it gets to the level you were dreaming about.
This is old school voice commands. Now instead of pointing to my dialogue choice I read it aloud and then he basically restates what I said.
They talk about giving squad commands, on the fly, mid battle, but I don't think it will be done well either. I've never played ANY game that did on the fly commands in coop AI well. I'll stick to micromanaging where my squad goes exactly and how I want them to fight.
I'm sure it was a heavily pushed Microsoft idea and that's cool that it works, but it won't add to the game at all.
The coolest thing I saw was the gun blowup and loadout customization in the new Ghost Recon, but again....that can still be done faster with a remote.
I was more interested in seeing Ken Levine talk about the new Bioshock at the PS3 event where he talked about slamming PS Move in the past and Sony invited him to their headquarters and wanted to make a believer out of him. He said he got over his initial fear and PS Move is going to be in the new Bioshock. Maybe money was exchanged or something, but seeing a very well respected and seasoned game maker embrace the tech is pretty cool.....especially since he is a multi-platform game maker.
3N3MY playing Rainbow Six 3: "Regroup.......Regroup!..........REGROUP!!!!!!!!!"
ReplyDeleteIt's quicker to just select what you're going to say with the control stick. Kinect will add nothing to Mass Effect and Move will add nothing to BioShock.
I agree that it won't "add" anything to Bioshock, but it could, granted in a very nerdy way, increase immersion.
ReplyDeleteI was just reading reviews on the sharpshooter from actual users on Amazon. Still sold.
Does anyone even care about BioShock anymore? Seriously? I've said it before and I'll say it again: BioShock did not deserve or need a sequel. BioShock 2 and Infinite are nothing but cash grabs.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Bioshock 2 wasn't needed, but many people say it's better than the first....
ReplyDeleteI'm actually pretty pumped for Infinite though after seeing a 12 minute gameplay showcase a couple months ago. It's Bioshock for sure, but the world and setting are much more appealing to me than the original.
I just hope there's no camera.