Q&A: May 19th, 2021

Dim Asks
Some people have expressed dismay at how No Man’s sky’s updates made the gameplay less unique/more like other games. Similar complaints to siege. With that set up, how important should it be that updates/DLC for a game don’t alter it too much. Is there a limit to adding/changing base gameplay in order to avoid alienating players attracted by an initial premise?

I think Fortnite unfortunately has shown to everybody how effective that can be sometimes. They turned a wave-based zombie defense game languishing within development hell, into a game that generates 80% of EPIC's entire revenue. Companies don't care about the game changing, so long as those changes result in larger profits.

It is a shame though, because something I've certainly grown tired of is how many Multiplayer games all look the same due to them using identical cosmetic microtransaction business models. They always start with the goal of making each new release consistent with the game's art-style. However, that means you're making cosmetics that don't stand out to people. It's only a matter of time then the """""""""style""""""""" gets more and more wacky to make players know it's new.

That's absolutely what happened with Siege, Modern Warfare, Insurgency Sandstorm, and countless other Multiplayer games.

However, it's not everywhere. Apex Legends has managed to balance on that tight rope, making important additions which genuinely improve the gameplay experience while retaining the core which engaged so many people when it first launch. I think that's part of its recent growth. People are coming back, able to pick up the game just like they did when they started.

Ferenc Viczmandi Asks
What is the most frustrating gameplay mechanic you came across recently? (Mine would have to be Metro 2033's gas mask filter system.)

Recently? Hmm... Honestly, I've been quite lucky recently. Most of the games I've been playing recently have been at least mechanically polished or interesting. However, my recent Sim Racing binge has rekindled my burning hatred for their User Interfaces.

I get that this nerdy niche of a niche genre is limited in appeal, but can they drop the fucking layouts made for programmers? Seriously, it shouldn't take ten goddamn minutes just to setup a race with basic settings.

And then there's the sheer inconsistency. Games like Project Cars 2 (one of the better interfaces) lets you change settings in the main-menu, but not in a Multiplayer lobby. It lets you tweak things before a race, but not after a race. You can spectate during the race if you quit, but not after you finish and waiting for others.

It's a reminder of just how much a good interface truly improves the experience without anybody noticing.

Submit your questions in the comments below, for future Patreon Q&A's.