Questions: game play mechanics

[Bandy]

Hello,
I prefer and enjoy indie games, and Chernobylite (CL) seems like it will scratch my itch :)
Perhaps it is too late in development, but there it is...

1) Will there be quick time events? You know, those abstract button mashing fests... Most players who you target your game to (since release to PC only, at least at first) will find these QTE much too gamey. I hate them.

2) In a review saw that CL currently has a 'ping' or scan system, press a magic button and needed items are identified, perhaps even glow. If CL is meant to be part exploration game, then players should be rewarded for properly looking around to find hidden objects. Again, the 'magic ping/scan button' (witcher) is just too gamey and an ultra cheap mechanic pandering to kiddies with attention deficit disorder. Make the kids earn things by fostering their attention to detail, there is no entitlement (magic buttons) to success in life.

3) Plans for adjustable HUD options? You developers should be proud of the beautiful environment you are creating, don't hide that behind an ugly HUD. Players should be able to easily turn on/off different HUD elements that they want to see. Then let them quickly toggle HUD on when in combat mode, toggle off when exploring. A small detail like this really makes a strong impression on players who want to truly engage in your game.

Maybe more later, thanks for reading!


EDIT: from a review, see, players really want better access to customization:

1) The implementation of "Ctrl+Alt+left bracket key" to hide the HUD (Permanently), was not very well thought out. A simpler, less cumbersome command would have been better ... This doesn't just hide the HUD/UI, but everything else, such as the cues to interact like, Talk/Use & Save Notifications.

"PERMANENTLY" hide the HUD/UI was certainly a bad choice. You have to exit the game to bring it back...

[damo]

Lol

[Savonir]

1) No, there won't be any QTE.

2) If you don't like it, don't use it. Even if that's a major mechanic in the game, if you want your experience be free of it - here you go. We tested our game without it and it has proven to be very difficult to find resources on the ground, especially in the grass. We didn't want to build un-realistic places just for players to loot it. We wanted to catch the feeling that everywhere you go you can find something and do not limit ourselves in the design.

3) Once we will have every UI locked, we will think about some fade options but cannot promise anything.

That option is only for the people who enjoy making screenshots from the game. This is an EA title, making an entire system for the UI which has lots of code holes right now wouldn't be a viable option for the production. That option is more of a debug thingy, than actual system. This shouldn't be reviewed in the first place but people are people ;)

[Dat Zorro]

Also, regarding 2), keep in mind that you have a time limit in each level (30 minutes, if I remember correctly) after which you are hunted by an invincible enemy. 30 minutes sound like a lot, but if you are exploring everything, then those run out faster than expected.

Finally, seconding with Savonir, good luck finding anything in grass and dark corners without it.

[Hyper///Soby]

In term of design, Far Cry 2 with the light/ping system to find diamonds would be an immersive way to turn the looting system "more realistic".

It would be like, you still can use pings to find objects but they won't be any highlights. Just like FC2 a little LED on you PDA and the LED goes Red to Green further you're near to them.

A bit like that https://youtu.be/bYWrJ1hlbKU?t=58

EDIT : Look like timestamp won't work so go to 0.58s

[Bandy]

Originally posted by damo:

Lol

I think we laugh at you, gamer boi...

Thank you to others for serious replies to tough questions, it is appreciated.
RE: 30 min. time limit in levels, as far as other replies from devs elsewhere, the time limit is artificially imposed on the EA release and not part of the final game. So perhaps time is 'not of the essence' and we don't have to 'ping' to find everything. Be honest to yourselves, it really is a cheap mechanic... S!

[Savonir]

It's not time limit. It's just time for the encounter with the Black Stalker. You can live throug it now. We are not sure if it will be included in the final release, but it might.

With our resource amount, half of the buildings would have blinking elements which won't look quite well. Will pass that to our director, but cannot promise any change to that.

[Bandy]

As mentioned, any player doesn't have to use the 'ping' key, but will admit it is too tempting when one is provided and you are struggling for resources to survive, LOL...
I appreciate your replies.