BRINK's contributions to FPS genre

(Shotgun Surgeon) #1

TLDR version: BRINK doesn’t topple COD or Battlefield in terms of popularity (not going to argue gameplay, because that’s subjective), but shows that, despite technical issues, different gameplay elements can appeal to a decently-sized audience.

Yes, there are things I wish they would have done differently. For example, the average casual gamer, I’m sure, has no idea what different match settings are. In fact, I’m sure the average casual gamer playing BRINK right now has no idea he/she can play the game online WITHOUT bots. Also, with such a strong emphasis on teamwork and a strong stance AGAINST lone wolves, they made it difficult to play with a clan or a group of friends. Those are a couple of things from a long list of things that SD could have done differently (or CAN do differently if there were to be a sequel).

However, I applaud SD for releasing a different game than what we’ve seen this past few years. With COD as the reigning FPS king (as for as popularity goes), many developers have done their best to make their game more like FPS. Even DICE has made Medal of Honor similar to COD, and even Bad Company 2 felt like it tried to appeal to the COD masses. Homefront also felt like a mix between BF and COD.

I know that shooters are shooters and that gameplay will be similar among all shooters, but you have to admit that these recent shooters seem to be almost copying the popular COD and BF series.

TLDR version 2: While SD didn’t do anything new, they definitely did something DIFFERENT. They showed with BRINK that things can be done differently and people will generally like it. Other developers should take note and say “enough is ENOUGH!” No more COD-esque games, no more trying to TOPPLE COD. Be something that developers haven’t been in a while – CREATIVE! INNOVATIVE! And while Brink ITSELF isn’t exactly revolutionary, it should be seen as a START of a revolution.

(crazyfoolish) #2

I think that SMART will be borrowed by some games in the future.

(Stimson) #3

Despite the fact that its the number 1 game on XBL?

(Shotgun Surgeon) #4

What are you talking about? I said it DOESN’T topple COD or Battlefield in terms of popularity.

(Twistedpandora) #5

actually it is the best game on XBL atm so its currently more popular BUT cod has a very large fan base build up over years of games. so yeah brink is more popular atm but cod dose have a larger loyal fan base. and some will move back to cod and brink will be less popular then it is now. (but ill be with brink all the way :D)

(Shotgun Surgeon) #6

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t actually realize that BRINK slid into the #1 popularity spot considering its low review scores. But yes I believe many will move back to COD and Brink will eventually drop in the popularity charts. However, I will also still be with BRINK all the way. I think I would be too scared to move away from BRINK gameplay though because I’ve come to love it so much.

(Gearbox) #7

The SMART system is revolutionary.

Full stop.

I am having a frustrating time with Brink due to uneven play experience. The game juxtaposes extremely poor design decisions (no team voip) with elements of brilliance (the level design is fantastic); the SMART system is one of the latter.

It has changed the way I view terrain in first person shooters. I have jumped back to various other games since picking up brink and have had to continuously remind myself that a) waist high obstacles are actually obstructions and b) I can’t mantle at all.

While the game of Brink suffers from some questionable design direction, the technology behind it is a major contribution to the FPS genre.

I look forward to more SMART movement in the future.

(Shotgun Surgeon) #8

[QUOTE=Gearbox;306133]The SMART system is revolutionary.

Full stop.

I am having a frustrating time with Brink due to uneven play experience. The game juxtaposes extremely poor design decisions (no team voip) with elements of brilliance (the level design is fantastic); the SMART system is one of the latter.

It has changed the way I view terrain in first person shooters. I have jumped back to various other games since picking up brink and have had to continuously remind myself that a) waist high obstacles are actually obstructions and b) I can’t mantle at all.

While the game of Brink suffers from some questionable design direction, the technology behind it is a major contribution to the FPS genre.

I look forward to more SMART movement in the future.[/QUOTE]

I have to ask… what do you mean no public VoIP? Are you talking about on PC?

(TheMonk) #9

I really like this game, and hate to see all the abuse the devs are getting on this foum.

(Shotgun Surgeon) #10

In the end, Brink will have a decent-sized solid fanbase. Nothing at all like COD’s, though. Then again… have you ever met COD players?

(PhilipOmnis) #11

[QUOTE=Gearbox;306133]The SMART system is revolutionary.

Full stop.

I am having a frustrating time with Brink due to uneven play experience. The game juxtaposes extremely poor design decisions (no team voip) with elements of brilliance (the level design is fantastic); the SMART system is one of the latter.

It has changed the way I view terrain in first person shooters. I have jumped back to various other games since picking up brink and have had to continuously remind myself that a) waist high obstacles are actually obstructions and b) I can’t mantle at all.

While the game of Brink suffers from some questionable design direction, the technology behind it is a major contribution to the FPS genre.

I look forward to more SMART movement in the future.[/QUOTE]

While I agree, I feel that the SMART system is squashed by the confined nature of the maps in the game. Playing around in the parkour challenge, I got a real taste of what the SMART system can do. When I get back into the game, I find that things just aren’t as convenient. It’s also very difficult to ascend walls etc without getting shot beforehand.

Out of curiosity, do you think that there should be an ability which nullifies interruptions to some SMART movements when adding buffs to other players? By that, I mean ground-sliding, wall-sliding and jumping should let you throw buffs without forcing you to a halt.

(Gearbox) #12

By no team voip I mean that (on the PC) there is no “push this button and your team can hear you.” Hell, there’s a tutorial on talking to your team here on the forums. It requires setting up a fireteam (10 seconds of wasted time for each player in the team at least) that requires you to adjust your autoexe.cfg to make it actually work!

I do feel that you should be able to interact while jumping and sliding. When I have to go stand still to drop a revive vial it interrupts the fluid flow of motion I like about the SMART system. I have no issues with the in game maps, as shown by my calling them out as brilliant.

(dommafia) #13

[QUOTE=Gearbox;306269]
I do feel that you should be able to interact while jumping and sliding. When I have to go stand still to drop a revive vial it interrupts the fluid flow of motion I like about the SMART system. I have no issues with the in game maps, as shown by my calling them out as brilliant.[/QUOTE]

Agree with this so much, this is one of the few things that bothers me about the game. EVerything is so fluid until you have to come to a halt when reviving. It breaks the game’s flow.

(PhilipOmnis) #14

Also kills the awesome notion of being a speed medic, in and out faster than a rabbit in mating season.

(Bakercompany) #15

I do drive by medic revives all the time. You can’t full speed run by and do it but you can “sweep by” and toss a syringe without ceasing movement.

SMART is brilliant, and i’m glad they’ve done it. Even as a heavy the better movement options are such an improvement.

I love everything about Brink’s gameplay, and when they fix the lag it will really shine.

(Gamer2Gamers) #16

Imagine a brink game with the in depth use of parkour like MIRRORS EDGE …fully utilizing smart like that with, Brinks game mechanics…oh man that would be so glorious and amazing

(Bakercompany) #17

I’m hoping the new maps really take advantage of SMART. Definitely some light only paths so we can have small areas with light on light combat, and areas where they can perch and snipe (I hate sniping and I actually support this).

So yeah, some symmetrical maps with better SMART design implemented would be just magical.

(fearlessfox) #18

While I initially thought the maps weren’t taking advantage of SMART enough, after growing accustomed to their layouts I’m finding I can skip about their various levels with fluid ease and it’s /very/ refreshing.

However, I’d definitely like to see some heavy SMART centric levels in the future, perhaps even a vertical map with flat horizontal sections as you work your way up (think a vertical cylinder with larger discs inserted horizontally through it as the basic outline). Stuff that would /really/ make you work your SMART.

The movement in general is almost too fluid… I honestly don’t want to go back to the other FPS I play and be out-manned by a waist-high box.

(Bakercompany) #19

[QUOTE=fearlessfox;306457]While I initially thought the maps weren’t taking advantage of SMART enough, after growing accustomed to their layouts I’m finding I can skip about their various levels with fluid ease and it’s /very/ refreshing.

However, I’d definitely like to see some heavy SMART centric levels in the future, perhaps even a vertical map with flat horizontal sections as you work your way up (think a vertical cylinder with larger discs inserted horizontally through it as the basic outline). Stuff that would /really/ make you work your SMART.

The movement in general is almost too fluid… I honestly don’t want to go back to the other FPS I play and be out-manned by a waist-high box.[/QUOTE]

Agreed on so many levels. Vertical levels that really give lights something special would be great, with staircases for our beefcake characters.

I agree about the movement. I don’t know how i’d go to another shooter. Playing as a medium or a light is incredible. Heck, even playing as a heavy I feel like a ballerina compared to my COD guy, who struggles with ankle high terrain…