3 ms·

Really? Everything is modeled by a person? I thought it was done with magic. I haven't heard of programmer art. Why would a programmer work on models? Perhaps

by bobsy 14y ago

Really? Everything is modeled by a person? I thought it was done with magic. I haven't heard of programmer art. Why would a programmer work on models? Perhaps the game demo is using stock models or something but it seems strange that you would have prototypes and a demo like this with no artistic direction implemented. I am not sure what exactly you think this has in common with Minecraft.

moron4hire 14y ago
le sigh. I'm not even really sure how to reply to you, because there seems to be a complete lack of common ground here. Let me try again. Garriot programmer. Garriot not artist. Garriot no choose art direction. Garriot just want to make program. Garriot just use whatever model laying around on hard drive. No, it's not strange to create prototypes without choosing an art direction. Games are typically products of real substance. They aren't your random Rails+Illustrator startup making something flashy and pretty, banking on everyone being distracted by their "elegance" long enough to make a few bucks before the users realize they offer nothing of real substance. Art in a game is content. You can substitute any content into the game and the gameplay will be unaffected. If the game can stand on its own with unattractive content, then it will be even better with pretty content. If a game needs pretty content to catch your attention, then it's probably not a good game. And that is where game projects fail, when they don't offer anything of substance. My point about Minecraft was that your point about "exploring on your own" not being a good concept for a game didn't hold water. A game concept can be anything, if you make it substantial.
- NuZZ 14y ago
  Yes but surely Garriot isn't completely naive as to think we won't judge the graphics and the game poorly as a result, as he doesn't choose to mention or confirm that said graphics are placeholder. I think the graphical engine they're using, the shading, the models, are trite, including the UX design - and it sucks, because if it doesn't improve the game won't be worth most peoples time. Runescape, graphically, in 2013 doesn't seem too appealing!
  - moron4hire 14y ago
    Right, the big words "PROTOTYPE" didn't confirm that they are placeholder graphics. Jesus Christ, remind me to never post a work in progress on HN. If someone as big as Richard Garriott can't get some basic respect, what chance do the rest of us have?

by bobsy 14y ago

moron4hire 14y ago

le sigh. I'm not even really sure how to reply to you, because there seems to be a complete lack of common ground here. Let me try again. Garriot programmer. Garriot not artist. Garriot no choose art direction. Garriot just want to make program. Garriot just use whatever model laying around on hard drive. No, it's not strange to create prototypes without choosing an art direction. Games are typically products of real substance. They aren't your random Rails+Illustrator startup making something flashy and pretty, banking on everyone being distracted by their "elegance" long enough to make a few bucks before the users realize they offer nothing of real substance. Art in a game is content. You can substitute any content into the game and the gameplay will be unaffected. If the game can stand on its own with unattractive content, then it will be even better with pretty content. If a game needs pretty content to catch your attention, then it's probably not a good game. And that is where game projects fail, when they don't offer anything of substance. My point about Minecraft was that your point about "exploring on your own" not being a good concept for a game didn't hold water. A game concept can be anything, if you make it substantial.

NuZZ 14y ago
Yes but surely Garriot isn't completely naive as to think we won't judge the graphics and the game poorly as a result, as he doesn't choose to mention or confirm that said graphics are placeholder. I think the graphical engine they're using, the shading, the models, are trite, including the UX design - and it sucks, because if it doesn't improve the game won't be worth most peoples time. Runescape, graphically, in 2013 doesn't seem too appealing!
- moron4hire 14y ago
  Right, the big words "PROTOTYPE" didn't confirm that they are placeholder graphics. Jesus Christ, remind me to never post a work in progress on HN. If someone as big as Richard Garriott can't get some basic respect, what chance do the rest of us have?