deanb Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/how-the-metrics-buried-in-today-s-games-will-shape-the-games-of-tomorrow/0105219 Post up on MCV about how Sleeping Dogs data is being used for future game. I find analytics to be an interesting topic as we can all have a basic understanding of game pitfalls and issue by glancing at achievement lists (such as seeing who is playing which class, getting past certain parts of the game, really devoting themselves to the game and so on) On one hand it can help improve the game itself, and games after by providing feedback. But it's so mechanical and without context that it could screw things up too. For example if only 15% do the side quests, does that mean future games would remove them and save on dev time/focus. If 80% of players play as the human character does that mean it'll be the only choice in the second game? Or one most recent with Codemasters removing the cockpit view as their metrics said only 5% used it. http://community.codemasters.com/t5/GRID-2-General-Discussion/With-regards-to-cockpit-view-a-statement-from-Executive-Producer/td-p/17778 For, agasint, within reason? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuchikoma Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I've seen other articles talking about analytics and showing certain things like low completion rates for games. I think it's good that we're seeing real data from such things, since when you ask people what they want, they'll say they want longer, harder games, but when you look at the larger trend of people playing them, you often see them scratching the surface before moving on to something else. It's a bit of a systematic problem to overcome in a lot of game design. It would suck if these were used to make a game that was just calculated to ultimately appeal to the masses by ticking off all the right boxes, but at the same time, there is a definite benefit to playing to your audience. I think as long as analytic numbers don't end up compromising the game's artistic vision/direction where they shouldn't, collecting this sort of data should prove a valuable asset to making games that more people enjoy more of. There will usually be games that still cater to less popular elements as well, unless a genre is all but extinct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thursday Next Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 I can see both sides of this. On the one hand it tells you what the majority of your customers really do rather than listening to a handful of vocal zealots claiming that "everyone wants x". It's great for balancing games like Battlefield. Since you can see easily if weapons/vehicles are over/underpowered and can take steps to address that. On the flipside it could lead to an Executive Meddling / Poochie situation where analytics is used to make a literally by the numbers game. Generally, if say "80% finish a game" companies like EA will be asking why that is, and how can they improve it. More incentives? Is there a difficulty spike? Does the story telling fall flat? Is the last 20% of content not compelling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldorf and Statler Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 I would love to see the data of a game that comes out during no-games spring/summer. I have a feeling that data would be a nice comparison for games that come out during the fall alongside 20 other great games and people just don't have the time to do certain things. Example: I've only played as Leon in RE6 because I never had time to play the other two and never will since I returned it via Gamefly so I could get AC3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Heart Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Just stopped in to share a titbit (I may say more when I can be bothered). Apparently, 343 Industries decided to make sprint a default ability for everyone in Halo 4 because they'd seen that around 90% of Reach players used it anyway. I'd say that's pretty handy, and it should give the more interesting elements a chance to shine. Wonder what made them ditch armour-lock... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Wonder what made them ditch armor-lock... I will cut you up so bad you'll wish I hadn't cut you up so bad. Quote edited for spelling mistakes. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Heart Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 What? I meant nothing by it. I am generally curious as to whether they saw something in metrics or whether they felt it COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE PACE OF THE GAME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted January 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/intrinsic-vs.-extrinsic-rewards-in-kleis-latest-game-dont-starve Here's a look at the development of Don't Starve and how they tweaked the action-reward system to engage players and keep them engaged. Good read. Mainly based on procedural "make your own fun" type goes though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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