SHADOWTEXT'S PROFILE

author=Aten link=topic=3169.msg62258#msg62258 date=1234844764
Well, you better face the reality now shadowtext. This whole "number" thing? Ain't changing. There is no way something as important as stats and numbers are going to be removed from an RPG but if you're that adamant about it, then the only thing you can do is make your own game with your own choice of whatever.

You know, this is like the third time in two weeks I've gotten a response like this, it's beginning to make me think there's no point in having a Game Design & Theory board.

This isn't about changing the way everyone does things.

This is about addressing the unexamined traditions that we follow and seeing what sorts of new options there are. This is about getting at least a few people thinking "Do things have to be the way they are now?"

You know what? Don't examine the assumptions about game design that I question in these threads if you don't want to. But if that's the case, do not feel obligated to engage in them, because they do not concern your game.

If your problem with this is more that I continue to defend the sides in these arguments that I do even after you've already said you don't care, then get over it. I'm going to defend my side as best I can, and I expect people who argue against me to do the same. There is no point in having these discussions if we're not willing to challenge both the theses and the antitheses being presented.

author=S. F. LaValle link=topic=3169.msg62249#msg62249 date=1234841857
we just have to give credit to the big game companies that for the most part haven't strayed from a number-based system. And I don't believe this is due to lack of effort or innovation.

Would you say the same thing about game's stories? We shouldn't feel the need to deviate too much from the formulas that Square Enix has already done because they have shown them to be good enough so far, for example?

author=Aten link=topic=3169.msg62232#msg62232 date=1234840454
In a game like Xenogears, speed is important as hell and even a 1 point increase MASSIVELY affects the gameplay.

Also, it's like this. Dependnig on the game, the stats vary, if a game has 2 characters with, eg, STR 4 and STR 5, then that game is one where obviously even 1 point will make a lot of difference. And if it's something like STR 10 STR 24. Then it takes MORE points to make a difference.

And yet, saying that an item gives you +25% STR means the same thing in either without giving the player an errand to run before he upgrades his items or chooses his newest ability.

author=Feldschlacht IV link=topic=3169.msg62221#msg62221 date=1234839117

author=Shadowtext link=topic=3169.msg62219#msg62219 date=1234839052

author=Feldschlacht IV link=topic=3169.msg62218#msg62218 date=1234838955

author=Shadowtext link=topic=3169.msg62215#msg62215 date=1234838877

author=Feldschlacht IV link=topic=3169.msg62213#msg62213 date=1234838739
That all depends on the game. If it's Breath of Fire III, give me the 20 HP, if it's Xenogears, give me the 1 Speed.

Let's assume it's not a game where there's an FAQ available that has worked out the mechanics for you, just the basic stuff that the in-game tutorial explains. So "HP determines how much damage you can take before you fall, and speed determines how often your character moves."

The same response still applies.

So then "Ask me again after I've played the game for about twenty hours?"

No, the same response still applies. More like, five minutes.

I'm amazed that after five minutes of playing Breath of Fire III and Xenogears you had figured out the DPS well enough to know how many HP you would be saving by having one more point in speed.

author=ChaosProductions link=topic=3169.msg62222#msg62222 date=1234839186
Why not this?

HP: Damage required to kill a combatant.
STR: Increases damage dealt physically by 1 for each point.
DEF: Reduces physical damage by 2 for each point.
SPD: Reduces time between turns by 1 sec for every 100 points above the lowest speed score in battle.

Spell out what each statistic does, and make your formulas transparent. Shouldn't that work fine?

That works fine, I suppose. It seems a little expo-dump-y, to me, but people in this community seem pretty okay with Info Dumps in general, so whatever.

author=Feldschlacht IV link=topic=3169.msg62213#msg62213 date=1234838739
That all depends on the game. If it's Breath of Fire III, give me the 20 HP, if it's Xenogears, give me the 1 Speed.

Let's assume it's not a game where there's an FAQ available that has worked out the mechanics for you, just the basic stuff that the in-game tutorial explains. So "HP determines how much damage you can take before you fall, and speed determines how often your character moves."