ChattinWithChet wrote:What I would like to add to this thing is to suggest that Metroid is far more Science Fiction than it is anything else and whatever its particular gameplay challenges are, I reckon this categorises it more effectively. As does putting Zelda in Fantasy.
dynamiteReady wrote:That only tells you about the setting and story though, right?ChattinWithChet wrote:What I would like to add to this thing is to suggest that Metroid is far more Science Fiction than it is anything else and whatever its particular gameplay challenges are, I reckon this categorises it more effectively. As does putting Zelda in Fantasy.
dynamiteReady wrote:Depends on who's playing though.
dynamiteReady wrote:Only for it to turn into a political sideshow...
revelthedog wrote:RPG is an incorrect term anyways. Role playing game could be put against any game with a slight story. You are playing a role. Maybe character levelling game is more appropriate?
On the previous page, I wrote:I think the whole 'role' part of RPG is being over thought. Yes, all games require you to play a role, but the tag we attach to a game doesn't really matter as much as us all having a fairly decent idea of what it means. As an example, once upon a time 'indie' in music meant 'signed to an independent record label', these days the term is more synonymous with a particular type of guitar-based pop music. Does this mean we should change the word 'indie'?Â
Spoiler:
regmcfly wrote:I love popping into reading this thread - it's wonderfully circular, the House of Leaves of the B and B
Yossarian wrote:revelthedog wrote:RPG is an incorrect term anyways. Role playing game could be put against any game with a slight story. You are playing a role. Maybe character levelling game is more appropriate?On the previous page, I wrote:I think the whole 'role' part of RPG is being over thought. Yes, all games require you to play a role, but the tag we attach to a game doesn't really matter as much as us all having a fairly decent idea of what it means. As an example, once upon a time 'indie' in music meant 'signed to an independent record label', these days the term is more synonymous with a particular type of guitar-based pop music. Does this mean we should change the word 'indie'?Â
Spoiler:
Eh, I don't know if it that's true as far as helping the player know what they are getting into, especially these days. Dead Space has all of these resource management, combat and puzzle elements but as an experience its status as Horror best describes it. I think what you do in it is far less important than the context in which you are doing it.Yossarian wrote:Indeed, by far the least important aspect of any game IMO.dynamiteReady wrote:That only tells you about the setting and story though, right?ChattinWithChet wrote:What I would like to add to this thing is to suggest that Metroid is far more Science Fiction than it is anything else and whatever its particular gameplay challenges are, I reckon this categorises it more effectively. As does putting Zelda in Fantasy.
JonB wrote:So in summary, I've already taken all the best arguments. Or, more likely...I love popping into reading this thread - it's wonderfully circular, the House of Leaves of the B and B
TheDJR wrote:The original Deus Ex was definitely an RPG because you couldn't hit shit without levelling up. This thread will never reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Symmetric vs. Asymmetric
In a symmetric game, options are the same for each side. Symmetry in a game begins to break down very rapidly in longer games, where players have different strategic options, so most symmetric games are short, or rely more heavily on tactics than long-term strategy.
Asymmetric games are those games where the players do not stand on equal ground. Different options provide different advantages and disadvantages to each player. Because a head on attack is more advantages for one player does not mean it is as advantageous for another player. Rock is no longer on the same level with Paper or Scissors.
Symmetry implies balance. If both players have an equal set of options (or equal odds) then only their individual skill levels or decisions will determine their success. On the other hand, Asymmetry does not preclude balance--an asymmetric game can still have statistical balance, even if the individual options are not balanced against one another.
Very few games are wholly symmetric or wholly asymmetric. They overlap and diverge in many different places.
Developmental Asymmetry
“If everyone has the same specialization options, the game is balanced.â€
Just because we start on even ground doesn't mean that we're going to stay there. Even if all players have equal starting positions doesn't mean that they will for the duration of the game. In a game like Chess, there are no new units, no new powers—symmetry is unbroken. In a game like Civilization, however, after the first few tech tree decisions or culture merits, the game is no longer symmetric. It has crossed into the realm where players are now on different footing than one another, based upon their strategic decisions.
Such a system is inherently balanced in the statistical sense—everyone has the same choices available, thus they all can follow the same path to victory. For a game with developmental asymmetry to be interesting, the developmental options must also be balanced against one another, so they are all valid choices.
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!