A quick question for my Architecture thesis on game arch.
Discussion
Hi Guys,
First of all i didn't know how to start a poll which i know would have been easier?!
So yeh... I'm currently writing a thesis for my context module of my Architecture Masters. I have chosen to explore architecture within computer video games, its influences and its resulting constant changes and what perhaps will happen in the future (based on my opinion).
I'd like to know everyones opinion on the types of game they enjoy most?
- Complete fantasy worlds (warcraft, wipeout etc)? or,
- More real to life spaces (C.O.D, G.T.A, Sim Racers etc).
For instance, myself, i prefer to play games that are based around a real world activity in a building/space that seems true to life (currently playing MW2 ALOT - all research i must add
), but obviously the thing with them both is they still offer some real world 'escapism'.
Any other opinions would be greatly welcome about game habbits,and desires you have for a game type that you think is missing etc? Open to discussion...
Ben
First of all i didn't know how to start a poll which i know would have been easier?!
So yeh... I'm currently writing a thesis for my context module of my Architecture Masters. I have chosen to explore architecture within computer video games, its influences and its resulting constant changes and what perhaps will happen in the future (based on my opinion).
I'd like to know everyones opinion on the types of game they enjoy most?
- Complete fantasy worlds (warcraft, wipeout etc)? or,
- More real to life spaces (C.O.D, G.T.A, Sim Racers etc).
For instance, myself, i prefer to play games that are based around a real world activity in a building/space that seems true to life (currently playing MW2 ALOT - all research i must add
), but obviously the thing with them both is they still offer some real world 'escapism'.Any other opinions would be greatly welcome about game habbits,and desires you have for a game type that you think is missing etc? Open to discussion...
Ben
To me, it depends on my moral compass.
If I'm doing something acceptable, I prefer a real life environment. I like my racing to be on real circuits, or at least realistic. I prefer a pure flight sim to be based on real locations, but if I'm shooting something, I'd rather it was a fantasy environment. I feel nothing for waves of enemies in Ikaragua or such.
On the flip side, I'd rather play a fighting game in a fantasy world, and I'd be happy to shoot monsters n aliens in an FPS, whereas I don't own / not interested in killing "people" in a "war" sim.
HTH
If I'm doing something acceptable, I prefer a real life environment. I like my racing to be on real circuits, or at least realistic. I prefer a pure flight sim to be based on real locations, but if I'm shooting something, I'd rather it was a fantasy environment. I feel nothing for waves of enemies in Ikaragua or such.
On the flip side, I'd rather play a fighting game in a fantasy world, and I'd be happy to shoot monsters n aliens in an FPS, whereas I don't own / not interested in killing "people" in a "war" sim.
HTH
Thanks Ian!
Steve, I'm not entirely sure yet. Originally it was my aim to find a game that occupies a real world space/building. However i could not find any really. The nearest i got was an unreal tournament map of the disused Aldwych tube station, i spoke to the map designed and she explained about how the map was designed to suit the game etc etc, very helpful but it kind of shunted my writings in another direction. I'm just sorting out the back bone plan at the mo so i'm open to any points really. As a subject it is far far bigger that i orginally anticipated so i have to be careful to stay on track with it.
Ben
Steve, I'm not entirely sure yet. Originally it was my aim to find a game that occupies a real world space/building. However i could not find any really. The nearest i got was an unreal tournament map of the disused Aldwych tube station, i spoke to the map designed and she explained about how the map was designed to suit the game etc etc, very helpful but it kind of shunted my writings in another direction. I'm just sorting out the back bone plan at the mo so i'm open to any points really. As a subject it is far far bigger that i orginally anticipated so i have to be careful to stay on track with it.
Ben
Vdubbin,
It is swaying more towards game architecture. How as a game platform it performs and how it has evolved with the introduction of social networking through the web etc. And also about how a game can occupy a real world space or not.
edit:
but for the purpose of this topic i just really wanted to know peoples game preferences to get an overal idea so i can use it as a small indication in my text.
It is swaying more towards game architecture. How as a game platform it performs and how it has evolved with the introduction of social networking through the web etc. And also about how a game can occupy a real world space or not.
edit:
but for the purpose of this topic i just really wanted to know peoples game preferences to get an overal idea so i can use it as a small indication in my text.
Edited by benprince85 on Wednesday 25th November 13:03
When you said architecture with the context of computer games, I thought it would be about software architecture so I was very confused with your first post. I am assuming you're on an IT course, so it might be worthwhile highlighting your precise content otherwise whoever marks the thesis will wonder what the hell you're on. 
Anyway, games I really like and that I rotate my time between: GT3, BF2 and Diablo 2.
Anyway, games I really like and that I rotate my time between: GT3, BF2 and Diablo 2.
I think this is a really interesting area.
Lots and lots of concepts you could draw from literature:
For example:
Neal Stephensons's multiverse - a virtual analog of the RL, but mapped onto conceptual ideas as opposed to geography. Also explores and preempts the validity of online real estate and space ownership.
On the flip side of this is the the pleasure derived from a virtual world that does actually mirror the real world. Think of Nico Bellic in GTAIV, the fact that a lot of the online signifies do draw heavily from real structures/places, this facilitates the immersive experience, immediately providing some common ground rules for conduct (physical and cultural/emotional) within the gamespace.
I think that as this type of game space continues to evolve the access and acceptabilty of participating will continue to grow (think Second Life - which admittedly has fallen a bit of favour recently). Once the fanboy/geekness factor wears off (and when the HI factor is improved - I mean lets face it the keyboard/mouse combo is v.old and is uncomfortable for extended immersion) you will see a gold rush move to immersion experiences; I have thought for a while now why we dont have websites that operate in a first person perspecitive fashion (well, obviously there are browser and processing issues but its only a matter of time).
I could go on like this for a while so PM me if you would to correspond further.
Rgds
H
Lots and lots of concepts you could draw from literature:
For example:
Neal Stephensons's multiverse - a virtual analog of the RL, but mapped onto conceptual ideas as opposed to geography. Also explores and preempts the validity of online real estate and space ownership.
On the flip side of this is the the pleasure derived from a virtual world that does actually mirror the real world. Think of Nico Bellic in GTAIV, the fact that a lot of the online signifies do draw heavily from real structures/places, this facilitates the immersive experience, immediately providing some common ground rules for conduct (physical and cultural/emotional) within the gamespace.
I think that as this type of game space continues to evolve the access and acceptabilty of participating will continue to grow (think Second Life - which admittedly has fallen a bit of favour recently). Once the fanboy/geekness factor wears off (and when the HI factor is improved - I mean lets face it the keyboard/mouse combo is v.old and is uncomfortable for extended immersion) you will see a gold rush move to immersion experiences; I have thought for a while now why we dont have websites that operate in a first person perspecitive fashion (well, obviously there are browser and processing issues but its only a matter of time).
I could go on like this for a while so PM me if you would to correspond further.
Rgds
H
Hectic,
Interesting posts and some of the points you have brought up mimick some of my thoughts, i'll bear them in mind.
Shadow, sorry for the confusion. I'm doing Architecture. We are encouraged to go off on tangents with the course to find something we enjoy and want to explore, and for me understanding a form of architecture history concept etc and to write about it does not excite me! I tend to focus more on digital formats, 3d design, graphics etc. I didnt mean the orginal q to be as confusing as it was, i was worried i'd do that. :S
Interesting posts and some of the points you have brought up mimick some of my thoughts, i'll bear them in mind.
Shadow, sorry for the confusion. I'm doing Architecture. We are encouraged to go off on tangents with the course to find something we enjoy and want to explore, and for me understanding a form of architecture history concept etc and to write about it does not excite me! I tend to focus more on digital formats, 3d design, graphics etc. I didnt mean the orginal q to be as confusing as it was, i was worried i'd do that. :S
hectic said:
Oh, I like GTA/MW2 type environments predominantly. I think they are drivers for the type of future online environments that will evolve (and I want).
Agree completely. I'm aiming to put forward a suggestion that online gameplay will be performed in virtual real worlds (e.g. a virtual replica of london) that game designers and game players can inhabbit how they wish. The exploration of my essay gives reasons for this working and not working. For instance the uproar that Resistance: Fall of men caused by basing one of its levels in Manchester cathedral.
Just got to write the damn 5000 word thing now
For something like flight sims and racing games I want them to be as an exact a copy of the real world as the developers are able to re-create so that I can better understand the dynamic differences between a Gallaro and a fiesta for example.
As for FPS they can be anything but Half Life 2 is still one of my favourites, so reality touched with fantasy.
As for FPS they can be anything but Half Life 2 is still one of my favourites, so reality touched with fantasy.
Gassing Station | Video Games | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff