Console Dedicated Servers or Light-only Gametype

(Lequis) #21

The SMART system is what makes Brink, without it there would be a few advantages like vaulting, but the maps would become progressively smaller because you can’t mantle.

Also, the added walking time to reach the frontlines would cut down on experience points per hour in heavy-only gametypes. Medium gametypes would receive the same xp as the regular gametype on average, but similarly to elimination/search and destroy, you would actually have to give an xp multiplier just to be able to level at the same rate for heavy only.

Light only according to the poles would have approximately 4x more players than heavy only according to the poll (http://www.splashdamage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18597), which I admit is a biased poll, but the Bethesda one (http://forums.bethsoft.com/index.php?/topic/1081398-character-which-size-will-you-pick/) shows nearly the same correlation, so light-only would cater to more players. Medium would cater to about the same amount of people, but at the same time, the difference between a medium and either light or heavy is not great enough to create a new gametype, because ~40% of the players are going to be medium anyway, thus medium fighters are often close to their comfort zone, even if there is a little variation than would be true of a medium only gametype.

Plus, if there is a light-only gametype, there might be a larger crowd of snipers who can get 1hit kills with an engie buff (assuming their enemy is not over-healed, which could rarely be achieved before without sight of a damaged enemy). Then there are knifers, which seem to be a growing presence in FPSs. They legitimately set up running classes just to knife people. They would favor this gametype as well.

Also, for the more hardcore SD fans, a light-only gametype in Brink would have a fast-paced gametype that is similar to ET, even if the HS kills are different than one of the two games (can’t remember which). Two of my friends had apparently played W:ET and loved the game (I found this out after mentioning Brink was made by SD), but they only play multiplayer on console now (one Xbox, the other PS3). Brink is different than both W:ET and ET:QW, so it might not be as much fun if the pace is slower. By adding a fast gametype, you attract more console players that liked playing W:ET in the past.

Overall, the reasons for light only as opposed to med/heavy are the SMART system limitations, less xp and a smaller crowd being catered to (whether snipers, knifers or ET fans that have moved on to console).

(H0RSE) #22

(discussion at Splash Damage HQ)

SD employee 1: Here’s a novel idea - let’s create body types for Brink - and each one will have different pro’s and con’s to cater to different playstyle and tastes! and then let’s feature a game mode where you can only use of those body types, so 2/3 of these new options go completely wasted!

SD employee 2: GENIUS!

The SMART system is what makes Brink,

I should have stopped reading after this, since you obviously have no idea what your talking about. The smart system is not “what makes Brink.” What makes Brink is the team based objective gameplay, working as a team to complete goals, the class system, and SD at the helm of it all. The smart system is there mainly to fix the broken movement systems that have plagued games for years. It’s a nice touch, but it a minor part in the equation of things that “make” Brink.

Light only according to the poles would have approximately 4x more players than heavy only according to the poll (http://www.splashdamage.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=18597), which I admit is a biased poll, but the Bethesda one (http://forums.bethsoft.com/index.php...will-you-pick/) shows nearly the same correlation, so light-only would cater to more players.

I equate this to a lot of people’s misconception of how they think the game will play out. They see SMART+Light Body, and instantly think “1337 ninja,” so without knowing really anything about the game, of course a lot of people are going to choose light. And the dual swords from the trailer doesn’t help either…

Plus, if there is a light-only gametype, there might be a larger crowd of snipers who can get 1hit kills with an engie buff

This is just what Brink is trying to stay away from, hence the “no one hit kills by default.”

They legitimately set up running classes just to knife people.

No, they didn’t…Heavies can use knives also.

I still see your entire post as you having a boner for light body type/playstyle, and looking for some justification to have a light-only gamemode.

(Nail) #23

The SMART system is what makes Brink, without it there would be a few advantages like vaulting, but the maps would become progressively smaller because you can’t mantle.

you really know nothing about the game

you can do everything without the smart button (and faster)

(LyndonL) #24

Yes, but the “system” as in the ability to vault larger items I think is what he is getting at. Not the button itself, but “Smooth Movement Over Random Terrain” ie no limitations.

I’m sorry H0rse, I know what you’re saying about objective team based gameplay being what Brink is all about, but SMART is one of the biggest marketing points on the game and the main thing that breaks it out of the pack in all the other FPS and FPSRPGs.

(LyndonL) #25

What are the reasons that consoles don’t have dedicated servers?

The main thing I can think of is the fact that the code can’t really be edited since it’s on a disc, and therefore patching to change the way things work is harder. But even that is taken care of these days isn’t it? Sorry I have very little knowledge on consoles.

(H0RSE) #26

I’m sorry H0rse, I know what you’re saying about objective team based gameplay being what Brink is all about, but SMART is one of the biggest marketing points on the game and the main thing that breaks it out of the pack in all the other FPS and FPSRPGs.
In terms of marketing, sales, PR, etc. yes, the SMART system is what establishes Brink as one of titles to look out for, but Lequis wasn’t talking from a sales/marketing position, He was referring to the smart system “making” Brink in terms of gameplay - so much so, that he wrote up an entire story explaining how since it is so important, and the light body type has the most overall access to it, that they should get their own gametype.

(Nail) #27

[QUOTE=LyndonL;223488]Yes, but the “system” as in the ability to vault larger items I think is what he is getting at. Not the button itself, but “Smooth Movement Over Random Terrain” ie no limitations.

I’m sorry H0rse, I know what you’re saying about objective team based gameplay being what Brink is all about, but SMART is one of the biggest marketing points on the game and the main thing that breaks it out of the pack in all the other FPS and FPSRPGs.[/QUOTE]

“Smooth Movement Over Random Terrain” IS the button, you can mantle, vault, slide and everthing else using standard movement keys manually. Lequis just doesn’t get what the game is about, I assume he comes from Single Player console games.

People should be required to play W:ET before they post here

:wink:

(Senethro) #28

[QUOTE=Nail;223493]“Smooth Movement Over Random Terrain” IS the button, you can mantle, vault, slide and everthing else using standard movement keys manually. Lequis just doesn’t get what the game is about, I assume he comes from Single Player console games.

People should be required to play W:ET before they post here

:wink:[/QUOTE]

Old school elitism, snobbery and now pedantry all in one post.

(Nail) #29

miss the wink there lad ?

(Senethro) #30

Its difficult to determine whether the wink is knowing parody or patronizing superiority.

(Nail) #31

so this would be “patronizing superiority” ?

:cool:

(Senethro) #32

Much less so than this: “Lequis just doesn’t get what the game is about, I assume he comes from Single Player console games.”

(Nail) #33

He seems to be making assumptions based on single player gametypes, therefore I assume he hasn’t played any PC online multiplayer games I know of. I’m also sure he can reply for himself, unless you just need to belittle me for some unknown reason. Last time I checked, Splash Damage wasn’t looking for a independant forum sherriff.

Have a nice day.