Comments on: Yes, I Bought Modern Warfare 2 Because I Wanted It To Be Just Like A Michael Bay Movie

By: fatbutt

fatbutt — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:21:19 +0000

Honestly, from what I’ve seen, copying the GUI almost unflinchingly implies attempting to copy the GAME. Not to mention that interfaces should be designed for the game you’re making: not every game has the same sensibilities as WoW or any of its million clones, and I’d really prefer not to expect seeing the exact same interface again.

Sheepherder: Ultima 7 is quite a different, oldskool beast, and I’m not sure what your point is.

By: Iconic

Iconic — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:04:14 +0000

This would be more interesting if it was really about how Modern Warfare 2 is like a Michael Bay movie.

By: geldonyetich

geldonyetich — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:18:59 +0000

Well, to put the GUI in a more positive light, a popular saying in the industry is “The GUI is the game.” The player’s interaction with the GUI is, to a great extent, the whole of the activity. If you give them the same GUI over and over again simply because it’s easier for them to grok, you will eventually hit a point in which the player feels there’s absolutely nothing new to be found and move right along.

Thus, in my design philosophy (backed up by my resounding release of exactly 0 games) you need to give players new things to learn. You don’t make learning too difficult, of course, the GUI should be intended to be easy enough for a beginner to pick up and come to understand. However, there’s a difference between this and simply giving the player the same game, by giving them the same GUI, that they just finished stopping playing.

By: Sheepherder

Sheepherder — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:44:08 +0000

Just going to throw this out there:

The UI is one of the little “puzzles” that the player should not have to cover new ground in learning. That’s a sure shortcut to him getting pissed and quitting. Pick up Ultima VII and play with the inventory if you don’t believe me.

By: J.

J. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:42:11 +0000

DAVID ALLEN.
DID YOU NUMB NUTS FORGET ABOUT DAVID FUCKING ALLEN.
YES, I BET YOU DID.

By: geldonyetich

geldonyetich — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:28:43 +0000

What’s being previewed there isn’t finished yet. I’m not saying they’re deviate from WoW much on account of how they’re apparently resolved to duplicate WoW as much as possible, but it’s possible that they’re at least copy it less poorly by release.

By: Arkazon

Arkazon — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:20:06 +0000

Imitation is one thing. Basing your construction off the foundation of another game is fine. Doing a basic copy and paste is quite another. Why would someone pay to play a game that copies another game poorly?

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:19:38 +0000

I swear that some of their screenshots look like they were actually taken in WoW. I guess that saves time during development? As to the UI, aren’t we glad look and feel is not copyrightable? heh

By: bonedead

bonedead — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:20:01 +0000

Pretty sure you got MW2 to be like Ice T.

Because if there’s one thing Ice T knows, it’s lemonade.

By: Vaxhacker

Vaxhacker — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:53:17 +0000

To paraphrase Yogi Berra, if you can’t imitate them, don’t copy them.