[MUD-Dev] Neverwinter Nights

[Christopher Kohnert]

Eli Stevens wrote:
 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Daniel.Harman at barclayscapital.com>
> To: <mud-dev at kanga.nu>
> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 5:46 AM
> Subject: RE: [MUD-Dev] Neverwinter Nights
 
>> I have to agree with you on this point. For me, a 3rd person view
>> really ruins my sense of immersion. Its one of Everquest's best
>> features. When I log into my second account and look at my main
>> avatar from another character, I'm always somewhat surprised how
>> I look, and thats something I rather like :)

> Really?  I was surprised when I read that...  First person always
> kinda bothered me, it never felt right.  This is going to sound
> dumb, but I think it has something to do with not being able to
> see my character's nose.
 
> Seriously.
 
> I think that if we had visualization devices (a step down from
> holo-decks?)  that could really show me what my character could
> see (like my nose, peripheral vision, etc.) then I might not mind.
> But with current tech, I have to look at the world either with
> blinders on or through fish goggles.  Ick.

I would agree with the relatively poor quality of most 1st person
perspectives I've used (in my opinion obviously). However, I don't
think it's really due to a lack of visual quality, but an emphasis
solely on the visual aspect. Some would say that's the whole point
of a 1st/3rd person distinction in design (the visual that is). But
it's not. If you take an entirely more wholistic approach to
perspective, extremely convincing environments can be
produced. Using either 1st or 3rd.  What sticks out in my mind is
the Thief game (Eidos I believe). Man, hiding in the shadows with
your back plastered against a wall as a guard walks right in front
of you whistling while going on his route... Oi! I had to take a
break and catch my breath at certain times. The point is that they
provide not just visual feedback, but auditory, and others (notably
that "exposure gem" which provided a sense of if you were in the
shadows or not) all of which lend to the experience of
perspective. I highly recommend checking this out if you've not done
so, especially late at night with all the lights out... *grin*

Chris
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