Development Info Bloodlines dev diary #4

[Ausir]

Tags: Leonard Boyarsky; Troika Games; Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

<a target=_blank href=http://www.gamespot.com>GameSpot</a> has posted another part of <a href=http://www.rpgcodex.com/peopledetails.php?id=4>Leon Boyarsky</a>'s <a target=_blank href=http://www.vampirebloodlines.com/>Vampire: Bloodlines</a> dev diary, this time about problems they had with combining an RPG with a shooter:
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<ul>Without giving too much away, we've found that a lot of player feedback, coupled with an under-the-hood tweaking of the system, has resulted in a good overall combination of the RPG and shooter aspects of the game. I say "under-the-hood" because our goal is to make the game feel like a true-to-the-rules Vampire experience, though sometimes adhering slavishly to the actual pen-and-paper rules almost makes the game seem like it's no longer a faithful translation. We've encountered this issue a lot in making RPGs in the past--as I'm sure the makers of other RPG games have. The important thing is that players get a rewarding experience with the desired feel, and this means a certain amount of massaging the rules. If we've done our job right (which I feel we have, of course), both novices and seasoned players will have a satisfying experience playing Bloodlines. </ul>
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Go ahead and read the full thing <a target=_blank href=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/vtmb/preview_6086694.html>here</a>.
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Spotted at: <A HREF="http://www.rpgvault.net">RPGVault</A>

 

[Azael]

I'm interested in seeing how the melee combat will turn out, chances are that it will suck.

 

[Voss]

I'd like to know what they ended up doing with the combat in general. He mentioned a lot of thought into generic FPS shooting vs. Stat/Skill game based shooting, but...

I'm still puzzling over how true-to-the-rules can wind up with something that isn't like the original.
I mean I can see how an FPS engine and true-to-the-rules can equal not fun, but thats the fault of the engine they chose, not the rules themselves. (Unless they don't like the game system, in which case why do a V:TM game?)

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

When we started down this road, we knew we were facing a daunting task. One of our biggest concerns was how RPG-style statistics and ability scores would factor into the first-person experience. For instance, how would players react to their firearms skill dictating whether or not they hit an opponent?

::looks to Vault Dweller::

They would obviously react badly

Without giving too much away, we've found that a lot of player feedback, coupled with an under-the-hood tweaking of the system, has resulted in a good overall combination of the RPG and shooter aspects of the game. I say "under-the-hood" because our goal is to make the game feel like a true-to-the-rules Vampire experience, though sometimes adhering slavishly to the actual pen-and-paper rules almost makes the game seem like it's no longer a faithful translation.

I for one hope their ideas for this system work well. I'm interested in seeing how they combine the statistical aspect with the player skill aspect.

We've encountered this issue a lot in making RPGs in the past--as I'm sure the makers of other RPG games have. The important thing is that players get a rewarding experience with the desired feel, and this means a certain amount of massaging the rules.

I hope this doesn't mean a future adoption of the Bioware guideline of "compromises always need to be made"

::hands Leonard some anti-Gaider crosses and holy water::

 

[Vault Dweller]

lol, I knew you were going to say something, but yeah, this is what you were talking about. Well, if anyone can do RT FPS RPG, it's Troika, so let's hope that you were right.

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

lol, I knew you were going to say something, but yeah, this is what you were talking about. Well, if anyone can do RT FPS RPG, it's Troika, so let's hope that you were right.

I hope you didn't take any kind of offense, though; it was just a harmless jibe at the ongoing discussion :wink: :D

But honestly, i hope they can make something good in regards to the system they envisioned.

 

[Vault Dweller]

I hope you didn't take any kind of offense, though; it was just a harmless jibe at the ongoing discussion :wink: :D

It's cool. It wasn't offensive, and I'm not one of those offense-taking types anyway.

But honestly, i hope they can make something good in regards to the system they envisioned.

As long as this system would be more of an RPG then a FPS...

 

[EEVIAC]

I'm still puzzling over how true-to-the-rules can wind up with something that isn't like the original.

I think he means what the souce material says the rules actually are vs players conceptions of the rules. I don't play PnP but I imagine its something like an argument over whether a flush beats a full house.

 

[Azael]

Full house beats a flush of course, unless it's a straight flush.

 

[Dhruin]

I'm still no clearer about the actual mechanics after reading the diary. How about some actual answers, Leonard?

 

[Transcendent One]

Yeah those were kinda my impressions. He wrote a whole lot without really talking about anything.

 

[Whipporowill]

Yeah those were kinda my impressions. He wrote a whole lot without really talking about anything.

No kidding, really? At least he said some interesting stuff about the number of npc's in the game...

... now where are those screenies, Troika? I guess all Valve-related stuff is being locked down rather tightly atm - I mean there hasn't been any new H2 stuff for lterally ages!

 

[EEVIAC]

HL2 has been delayed until September, right? So I guess we shouldn't expect this game until Q4. At least it'll be tested and polished.

 

[aberge3]

Has there ever been a decent 1st person RPG? I remember when people used to complain if the RPG wasn't completely turn based. I hate the 1st person perspetive, and hate shooters in general. How are you to coordinate people in your party or are you going to be solo in all your battles? I can't help but think that they are hoping the FPS people will buy it thinking its a shooter title and RPG fans are being screwed out of features because they no longer have a large enough perspective of their game world. The FPS view gives you tunnel vision, its not a true first perspon perspective.

 

[Transcendent One]

Not as good as the Bloodmoon guy, but a valiant try nevertheless. This topic is only January old, sorry.

 

[Sol Invictus]

FPS view for teh win.