The Smaller Touches

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 8:51 pm

[QUOTE=zander811]That's true, that's true. It would make the game more realistic, but maybe too realistic. K, I see the problem now. But still, they should explain/eliminate the problem of multiple stabbings by a lightsaber (or getting shot by a blaster).[/QUOTE]
Since the game is turned-based, you will bound to see those type of weird effects. As I stated previously before, if this game is more real-time and furthermore, ditches the D20 system, the developers will not be constrained to follow the rules and instead be able to develop the game to what they really wanted.

I'd say make the game give more control to the player like using a one mouse button click=one hit type and when dodging, you should use a key to flip backwards or sideways. It may not be a perfect solution to the multiple stabbings/shots, at least you have more control as to how to avoid getting hit.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:23 am

This idea has been lingering in my head for quite a while so, I just want to blurt out my thoughts. I have this idea of a contracting agency, just like the ICA (International Contracting Agency) of the Hitman series, that deals with assasinating people. Also, you'll get these assignments from clients (mostly unnamed to protect privacy) through the agency. And after you accomplish your mission, the money will be transferred by check or direct to your bank account.

Secondly, what about using different methods on how to killing the target? You could do it the stealthy way like placing a bomb in his/her room to eliminate him/her as one example or you could do it the guns blazing way and kill anyone who gets in the way of the target. At leastit will give those whose levels are low to take the target out in an alternative way rather than going head on into your death bed.

With these in mind, I hope that it would make the assasination missions more solid and interesting to do.

P.S. Not another double post again.

Leet · Post by **Leet** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:54 pm

Noticed

Couple things that kinda bug me is that

Somtimes wen u click to talk to som1 somtimes they like turn around or somtin and arent facing u and like walking, like wtf is that? Id like it if they looked at me wen i talk to them Lol.
Also they always have the same hand movements wen they talk, and wen ther not talkin ur character is always lookin around.. how bout walking and talkin?

1 thing wich was weird in Kotor1 on the starforge , wen the droids blew up the door, and it shuld 1 of ur characters head each time 1 of the doors blew up. They didnt move or netin, u know wat would of been Kool, like wen the doors blew up they duk for cover or somtin, not just stand ther, i find that takes the realism out of the game

. OH Yeh and 1 Last thing, i dont know if its just me ( probly not) but somtimes wen im talkin to som1 the Cpu ppl Like walk between us and like get stuck and shake LOl its prity funny but annoying

Newayz yeh thats somthings they might be able to work on

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:39 am

Leet wrote: 1 thing wich was weird in Kotor1 on the starforge , wen the droids blew up the door, and it shuld 1 of ur characters head each time 1 of the doors blew up. They didnt move or netin, u know wat would of been Kool, like wen the doors blew up they duk for cover or somtin, not just stand ther, i find that takes the realism out of the game .

Didn't comment on this earlier but yeah, I highly agree with you. I would very much like some response whenever someone sees a grenade or about to breach a door like ducking for cover. This will also get them out of harm's way because the explosion might injure them.

I have another idea. I would like to see commands like flanking an enemy or maybe create a diversion. Also include the ability for your members to cover your back or set up team formations. The enemy should be given the same abilities as you should they want to take you and your team members down.

Sinbios · Post by **Sinbios** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:04 am

I agree that facial expression should be improved.
How can your lovely jedi/sith give the same facial response like nodding, frowning all the time different questions and answers. Doesnt it sound weird that you look the same whether you say "Get off my way, you bastard" or "I will pay the docking fee"
Actually I really like the one of the cutscenes in KOTOR1. You play DS and you are flying to the star forge, while stupid Bastilla is reporting to Vandar and Admiral Donna, you look really cool with an evil smile and frowning eyes next to Bastilla. (huh, I thought I was light.)

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 8:25 am

Sinbios wrote:I agree that facial expression should be improved.
How can your lovely jedi/sith give the same facial response like nodding, frowning all the time different questions and answers. Doesnt it sound weird that you look the same whether you say "Get off my way, you bastard" or "I will pay the docking fee"

I agree here but the problem is the fact that your main character can't speak, thus having facial animation on him/her will look kind of odd for a mute. I sometimes wish that there is voice acting for the main character in those games. I really do. But its a pity they (the developers) chose a mute.

I hope they really do find a voice actor(s) to voice the main character in the next KOTOR.

Macen Press · Post by **Macen Press** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:28 am

One thing i would like to see fixed is its not a big thing but u no wen u r stood nxt 2 a door and say u have a sword in ur hand ur sword looks as if its goin through the door or times wen ur talkin 2 sum1 and 1 of ur other players is in front of the camera angle and u can see half of their head, thts wat annoys me so id like 2 see stuff like tht fixed.

bigredpanda · Post by **bigredpanda** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:17 am

DesR85 wrote: But its a pity they (the developers) chose a mute. I hope they really do find a voice actor(s) to voice the main character in the next KOTOR.

Disagree, completely.

In Jedi Academy, the main character has a voice, but there's only two options, when there's six (?) options for race. So a rodian talks like a generic human male... and that kind of ruins the immersion, even though the voices for the human builds is fine.

I kind of like the mute thing. But then, I tend to skip over much of the voice dialogue because I read the text quicker - and in KOTOR1 most of the aliens only had 3 different (voice) sentences they repeated.

Ender04 · Post by **Ender04** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:31 am

I dunno about adding voice acting for the Player Character. I like the idea of adding expression, but I'm confused about how to add voice acting. It would work well during cut scenes, but during normal gameplay, how would it work. You scroll through your response options and select one and then wait and listen to your character speak what you have just selected? It seems like that would make conversation really.... really..... slow.

What I would like KOTOR to do is borrow some ideas from Jade Empire. The main character has some voice acting... Not during conversations or cutscenes, but whenever you change martial arts styles your character speaks the name of the style (Thousand Cuts, White Demon, etc.). This at least shows that your character is not a mute. Another cool thing is that they add expressions. You can scroll through your response choices and if you scroll past a good response, your character smiles. If you scroll past a bad choice, they frown. An angry choice, they look pissed. A sad choice, they look like they are about to cry. The conversation system is identical to KOTOR, but it looks like BioWare fixed a lot of their problems.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:42 pm

bigredpanda wrote: In Jedi Academy, the main character has a voice, but there's only two options, when there's six (?) options for race. So a rodian talks like a generic human male... and that kind of ruins the immersion, even though the voices for the human builds is fine.

I only played the demo for Jedi Academy by the way and I find the main character's voice good.

I actually don't mind it, as long as the main character can talk, that's what really matters to me. But, yeah, it does look strange to be honest if your main character is an alien or vice versa but at least the developer won't need to go all the way to get different voices for different types of people. It's much easier on the developer.

Ender04 wrote: I dunno about adding voice acting for the Player Character. I like the idea of adding expression, but I'm confused about how to add voice acting. It would work well during cut scenes, but during normal gameplay, how would it work. You scroll through your response options and select one and then wait and listen to your character speak what you have just selected? It seems like that would make conversation really.... really..... slow.

Yeah, I do find that it does make the conversation slow but the conversation option might not be long. Maybe they could take a cue from Dreamfall: The Longest Journey where you're given certain options like if someone ask you to do him/her a favour, you will be presented options like be suspicious, trust him/her, ask why or something along the lines. And he/she will converse along those options. It might make the game look a tad bit simplistic but at least it's better than saying the whole conversation option.

Kayos · Post by **Kayos** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 9:42 pm

oh man so how bout this: i was playing K1 and i was in the undercity. you know with all those rakgouls things. and it hit me. why cant the PC walk off the steps? why do you have to go allllll the way around someting that would take you two seconds if you could just walk off the step?

and also, what about the sith walking around on taris?youd think that theyd kinda notice the most hunted jedi in the galaxy stroling down the street with one of the ace pilots in the republic army and the ex-dark lord of the sith. or is that just me?

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:58 pm

Kayos wrote:oh man so how bout this: i was playing K1 and i was in the undercity. you know with all those rakgouls things. and it hit me. why cant the PC walk off the steps? why do you have to go allllll the way around someting that would take you two seconds if you could just walk off the step?

Yeah. I noticed this too. Invisible walls. Not acceptable in any new game by today's standards. I also agree with you that it's troublesome to walk around to find a pair of steps just to get to a lower level that is a mere 2 feet high. Not logical. Walking off the ledge is much better than searching for stairs that lead downwards.

Speaking of which, in KOTOR 2, the main chamber where you fought Darth Traya have a lot of gaping holes ane there are no handrails at the end of the ledges, which does make me think that if someone were to push me off the ledge, I'll definitely fall to my death. However, thanks to the invisible walls, Whenever Darth Traya uses Force Push on me, I was blown near the ledge but never fell over. Nice that it didn't happen but I just wish that the developers removed the invisible walls so that it would be more logical. If I fall over the ledge, I fall over the ledge.

Kayos wrote: and also, what about the sith walking around on taris?youd think that theyd kinda notice the most hunted jedi in the galaxy stroling down the street with one of the ace pilots in the republic army and the ex-dark lord of the sith. or is that just me?

Yeah. It looked silly that none of the guards and the citizens of Taris noticed that you're a fugitive even though you're dressed in combat clothing and carry swords with impunity. The developers should at least give designate a key to draw back your weapon and the ability to snatch clothing, a la Hitman (Hitman series) style, from dead enemies in order to blend into the crowd.

Ender04 · Post by **Ender04** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:36 am

DesR85 wrote:Yeah, I do find that it does make the conversation slow but the conversation option might not be long. Maybe they could take a cue from Dreamfall: The Longest Journey where you're given certain options like if someone ask you to do him/her a favour, you will be presented options like be suspicious, trust him/her, ask why or something along the lines. And he/she will converse along those options. It might make the game look a tad bit simplistic but at least it's better than saying the whole conversation option.

I've never played that game, although I might have to pick it up to see what your talking about. Do you mean you select the type of response (Ask about ___. , Reassure him/her, React Violently) and the voice acting fills in the dialogue? I suppose that would work although because I haven't seen it done, it makes me slightly nervous. I guess I kind of picture HK-47... Statement: blah blah blah... Qualification: blah blah blah... Clarification: blah blah blah... Except done by the main character!! LOL.... I will have to research this Dreamfall... maybe it will give some insight into exactly what you are describing.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:59 am

Ender04 wrote:I've never played that game, although I might have to pick it up to see what your talking about. Do you mean you select the type of response (Ask about ___. , Reassure him/her, React Violently) and the voice acting fills in the dialogue? I suppose that would work although because I haven't seen it done, it makes me slightly nervous.

Yes. That's what I meant. Actually, I'm not sure if it's a really good idea but I thought of bringing it up as an alternative to voicing the conversation option that the player chooses.

bigredpanda · Post by **bigredpanda** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:07 am

DesR85 wrote: Invisible walls. Not acceptable in any new game by today's standards.

Apart from Oblivion, perhaps...

Another problem I would foresee with voicing the main character is the switch from light to dark. Would the voice stay the same? Wouldn't that lead to a whole load of complaints ("my guy doesn't sound like a sith lord!"). But if the transition from light to dark voice was as "smooth" as the faces, it would have the potential to be laughably bad.

On the subejct of which, a smaller thing I would want in KOTOR3 is a better face transition between light and dark.

Macen Press · Post by **Macen Press** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:09 am

yh i think i have to agree with the voice and also i which ppl int he game would stop referring to the character as exile or what have u i would rather them say nuffin. However i dont think there is much need for a more extreme transition in appeance for ur character. i meen look at dooku he was dark side and didnt look weird nor did palpintine until afta his battle.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:11 pm

bigredpanda wrote:Apart from Oblivion, perhaps...

Hmm. Well, Oblivion and most games nowadays have invisible walls at the end of a map so that is acceptable, to me,

but having invisible walls in unexpected places like a ledge or a stairwell is not very good game design. If they want to place invisible walls, I'd prefer if they put some sort of obstacle so that it doesn't look too obvious.

bigredpanda wrote: Another problem I would foresee with voicing the main character is the switch from light to dark. Would the voice stay the same? Wouldn't that lead to a whole load of complaints ("my guy doesn't sound like a sith lord!"). But if the transition from light to dark voice was as "smooth" as the faces, it would have the potential to be laughably bad.

I wouldn't mind if the voice stay the same no matter which alignment, even though it can be irksome if that character goes dark side. As long as the main character has a voice, I'm willing to live with that.

bigredpanda · Post by **bigredpanda** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:24 am

I guess for me it's actually one of the things I enjoy about RPGs like KOTOR or Morrowind, that the character is "you", not some generic hero type that a software company has given you. I've had a lot of games ruined in part because the main character's voice is incredibly irritating.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:02 am

bigredpanda wrote:I guess for me it's actually one of the things I enjoy about RPGs like KOTOR or Morrowind, that the character is "you", not some generic hero type that a software company has given you.

For open-ended RPGs, yes, I kind of agree about the fact that the character you control is yourself and I don't mind it. Not some other person. Feels like you are part of the game sometimes. But personally, I wouldn't mind playing either a main character of a game or a character that you can customise yourself. I just play the game the way it's designed, though I actually prefer playing the main character of a game, like the Prince in the Prince of Persia series or Master Chief in the Halo series.

bigredpanda wrote: I've had a lot of games ruined in part because the main character's voice is incredibly irritating.

Well, I don't know much about main character's voice acting in open-ended RPGs so I can't tell how good or bad it is but in most action oriented titles like Freedom Fighters, the Hitman series, the Prince of Persia series, Halo 1&2, the Splinter Cell series and most notably, the GTA series to name a few, the voice acting for the protagonist in those games are actually very well done and top-notch.

Ender04 · Post by **Ender04** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:30 am

bigredpanda wrote: I've had a lot of games ruined in part because the main character's voice is incredibly irritating.

Could you give me an example of which games you are talking about? Cuz I was trying to think about games with bad voice acting and I really couldn't think of very many. I would be interested to hear which games were ruined for you. As far as the voice changing with the dark side, I don't think it would be absolutely necessary. If they did voice acting in KOTOR 3 then chances are all the negative comments, or the things you could say in dialogue that gave you Dark side points, would probably be said in a sinister way anyhow.