Of "atmosphere"

[Anara]

The above term is perhaps not quite adequate concerning what I want to talk about. I remember when Chris Metzen (from Blizzard Entertainment) spoke about Starcraft 2; he explained that it was not only the game mechanics and dynamics, that made the first game so popular, but also what he referred to as “the feel of the game”.

I think that these games (Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2) also has this so called “feel”, or in lack of a better term, atmosphere. I find it quite hard to explain really. I tend to like games where I gain the possibility to sort of immerse myself into the game universe. But just what it is that makes that immersion possible, I do not know.

Another post (mayhap it was sonny) spoke about his experiences (or his son) playing Oblivion, and there was an element missing there. Whether it is the voices in the background (when in a city) or the creaking of wood, those seem to be important parts in what we could call atmosphere or “feel”.

I made another post a long while ago about the concerns I had when making my character. I felt that I had to concern myself with role playing characteristics, rather that power playing ones. To this end, I had decided, that even though I had the possibility to maximise my stats in Strength, Dexterity and Constitution (because my character was a Fighter), I really would not like my character to run through the Sword Coast with minimum Wisdom and Intelligence (of course that could work for another character, to be sure.

I’m posting this in the Shadows of Amn board since there are a couple of references to that game, but some of the above and below concerns the first game in the series as well.

I wanted to start a new adventure in the Child of Bhaal saga just recently. I remember one of my characters (the above mentioned Human Fighter) had quite good stats, so I just imported him. Mind you, he’s gotten the various tomes and manuals a couple of times around. As such, when I finished the first game this time (along with the expansion), his stats were 20 in all attributes, except intelligence, where he had obtained 16. So, he was quite the Fighter, I have to admit.

But the problem was this: the “magic”, so to speak – in the beginning of the game – was somewhat gone. We all remember the lethal Wolf outside the walls of Candlekeep. The usual rush of adrenaline that the appearance of this single creature used to provide, was simply gone. With those stats (and level 8 hitpoints), there was no effort in bringing the wolf down.

In Shadows of Amn, sure, I could easily explain or pinpoint certain elements that makes me enjoy the game: the NPC party interaction, the voice acting, the storyline, the plethora of quests, and so on. But I always feel, as if there’s something unexplainable about why I enjoy these particular games. Perhaps it’s meant to be unexplainable, I’m not sure.

Other games (especially recent ones) may have better graphics, sound and game play, but they do not quite reach the level of some this particular saga, in my mind.

Incidentally, I think some other games also provides this kind of atmosphere: Planescape: Torment, for one, and also Icewind Dale, I think – although the latter, to be sure, is a more combat oriented game.

So, my question is this (with the above remarks in mind): what constitutes this so called “feel of the game”, or atmosphere, that allows us to immerse ourselves in a game like Baldur’s Gate (1 & 2)?

With regards,

Anara

[wise grimwald]

I think it is largely because the characters behave how people that we know would behave if put in that situation. Even the evil people have some redeeming features, and the good have their faults. Some of the good for example would be a right pain in the butt if we had to work with them.
The sound effects do help, but that is not the whole story as I have to play without sound when a lot of the time.
Often in RPGs, you can'y empathise with the characters.
Another factor is that there is considerably more freedom of choice than in a lot of games. This helps you to feel as if you are making the decisions, not some programmer who has specified how the game should be played.

[Anara]

Why, thank you for the respond, grimwald.

I like your thoughts concerning empathy and freedom of choice.

1) of empathy.

What I do like about the Baldur's Gate games is - other than what you mentioned - that you kind of feel, that it's about YOU, the player - it almost becomes personal, in a way. At least, when one has played the whole saga (a couple of times perhaps), spending many hours in front of the screen, it must mean something, I think.

But also, as you mentioned, the people you meet in-game. Both the party members, but also many other encounters throughout the games becomes quite memorable and imprints upon your mind.

On a side note, I do also agree, that even some of the good aligned people could be considered somewhat annoying and irritating, if you would chance upon them in real life. I'm not naming any names of course...just a certain individual one can choose to pick up in the Copper Coronet...

2) freedom of choice

Actually, I heard a notion once (perhaps on a podcast) that remarked upon a distinction between computer roleplaying games, and pen and paper roleplaying games (with a Dungeon Master).

In the first, it was said, you follow a script no matter what; you might have choices (that may even be moral in nature) but you follow a sort of given direction.

In the latter, there is allegedly, a reasonable possibility to improvise and change directions along the way. This depends, I suppose, on the relevant dungeon master and how comfortable (and talented) the group members are. Still, I do not know if I agree on these notions, but freedom of choice may indeed be an important factor concerning the subject at hand.

Again, thank you for your response!

- Anara

[CFM]

I think that these games (Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2) also has this so called “feel”, or in lack of a better term, atmosphere. I find it quite hard to explain really. I tend to like games where I gain the possibility to sort of immerse myself into the game universe. But just what it is that makes that immersion possible, I do not know.
...
So, my question is this (with the above remarks in mind): what constitutes this so called “feel of the game”, or atmosphere, that allows us to immerse ourselves in a game like Baldur’s Gate (1 & 2)?

Immersive games do any number of things to make us forget we are just sitting at a desk in front of a computer, execute escapism, and put us in another world. Thick atmosphere fakes out our senses. Ambient music sets a tone. Engrossing story occupies our mind. Rich artwork defines our vision. Deep characters invest our emotions. Good gameplay heightens our adrenaline. Protagonist advancement yields a sense of accomplishment. Detailed roleplaying allows a sense of ownership. When they all are working together and clicking, then viola, you got immersion.

Really good games do any number of these things well. Baldur’s Gate does them ALL well.

[Anara]

Thank you for your response, CFM!

I certainly will agree on those notions; it's kind of a complete experience, when playing one of these great immersive games like the Baldur's Gate Saga. It confronts your senses, as well as being a cognitive and emotional experience as well.

As such, it has a certain place in your memory, you're perhaps faced with "intellectual" challenges (for example some of the puzzles, language learning, and such) and there's some emotional situations to face as well (the empathy experience described in a post above, the romances etc.)

I also agree on the thought, that being a protagonist (having the role of one such) gives a sense of accomplishment; you have a goal, you have ambitions, and you're apparently willing to spend a great many hours to reach those goals and ambitions.

As mentioned, it's somewhat of a complete experience. To be sure, not all games can accomplish this - most of those I've played through do not; at least not to the extend of the Baldur's Gate series (or mayhap, Planescape: Torment).

It's perhaps somewhat the same thing with great works of art, whether it be books, a painting, a composition, or maybe a movie; it's a sort of multidimensional experience. The difference between these things and videogames, is perhaps, that you're having a much more active part in the story...unless, of course, you're actually a musician, a filmaker, or whatever, yourself!

Still, despite all these things we can mention to explain our experiences, I still retain that there's something that remains very hard to explain; the so called "magic" of the game, the "feel", or whatever you would call it. There's just so many factors to include, I think.

I'm sometimes guilty in making these sort of "exercises" of explaining my experiences, in this case a videogame. It's not an attempt, by any means, to reduce my experience to these factors. I actually enjoy, that there's some elements that remains a mystery to me.

Neverthess, I constantly, strangely enough, seem to reach out to that same mystery...

Anyway, I'm tired, and starting to ramble a bit here, I think.

Again, thank you for the response!

- Anara