User information for Brian McDonald

Real Name
Brian McDonald
Nickname
Big_Bear
Email
Concealed by request - Send Mail
Description
Homepage
None given.

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Signed On
June 13, 2002
Total Posts
84 (Suspect)
User ID
13347
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84 Comments. 5 pages. Viewing page 1.
Newer [  1  2  3  4  5  ] Older
25.
 
Re: No subject
Mar 9, 2007, 10:24
25.
Re: No subject Mar 9, 2007, 10:24
Mar 9, 2007, 10:24
 
How exactly the ILLUSION of good AI different from good AI? What, can you fake AI or something? In the end, AI is a very very very long series of what/if statements. The Illusion of some would be a series of what/if statements as well. Right?
I'm willing to be proven wrong on this tho.

The main difference, and this me putting on my Game Researchers hat on is that good AI will actually reason, come to a decision and then even learn from mistakes. Essentially have a cognitive process like us(Humans). Illusion of Good AI is what we have been doing in games for the last 25 -30 years.

Also I may point out that do we want our Game AI to reason?

If you think about it what would happen in FEAR if instead of engaging you in combat the AI decided to run away and hide. It would make for a very boring game, you would need to tread a fine line between decision making and pre-defined behaviours.

What I really don't like about Chris Hecker's statement is the tone, it sounds more like fan boyish quote rather than a reasoned well though discussion about the Wii/Next Gen Capabilities. If I wanted an uninformed rant on the Wii or any other Hardware I would just carry out a quick google search.





18.
 
Re: No subject
Mar 8, 2007, 17:46
18.
Re: No subject Mar 8, 2007, 17:46
Mar 8, 2007, 17:46
 
It's easy to see that the Wii is popular now, but I'm more interested in the playing field a year from now. Once some of the so-called "next gen" titles come out - on PS3 and Xbox360, how many people will still be flocking to the Wii? Maybe they'll continue to want the latest Mario/Zelda games, but I doubt that'll be satisfying long-term.

I suppose they might lose the Hardcore gamers like ourselves, but it seems the target market of the Wii is the casual gamer. Just look at most of the (good)games so far, the party games dominate.

Just to give you an example, usually when I get my friends over for a few beers we play a sports game like Pro Evolution Soccer, last time they came around I stuck on Wii Sports and we played it for hours while drinking beers. Even some of other wives and girlfriends started playing. Everyone of the non-gamers(or casual gamers) who played thought it was amazing and instantly wanted to buy the Wii. That is Nintendo’s target market, and I bet they make up more of the population than the Hardcore Gamers.

The last thing you want to hear when implementing a design is "ok so what do we have to cut".

That happens in every game even those on the Xbox360 and the PS3, they have to cut something. It is maybe because of time constraints, money, man-power or even technical limitations of the Hardware.

My view is that for too long devs have been focusing on making shinier graphics and they have neglected gameplay. I wish we could go back to the days when gameplay was king, but that is the retro gamer in me speaking. I still have enormous fun when I fire up one of my older games on the Spectrum.

If you look at those old games and compare them to the latest games you realise how much the graphics have evolved but the gameplay has pretty much stayed static.
This comment was edited on Mar 8, 17:56.
9.
 
Re: No subject
Mar 8, 2007, 14:22
9.
Re: No subject Mar 8, 2007, 14:22
Mar 8, 2007, 14:22
 
Chris Hecker is a @#$ing idiot. Games are meant to be FUN first and an artform second. Last time I checked we are in the ENTERTAINMENT industry.

I would love to have been at the GDC and seen the audience reaction to his statements.

I think we all can agree that the Wii is the least powerful(graphics + processing power) of all the Consoles, but in the end you can have all the best graphics and AI in the World but if the gameplay is not there then your game will suck.

I have a High End PC, a Xbox 360, Wii, PSP and DS.
I play Wii and DS the more often as those systems have games that I actually have fun playing rather than drool over eye candy.

I play Wii Sports way more than I play Gears of War.

Uh, and last time I checked having a decent CPU that can handle decent AI helps games be FUN and ENTERTAINING.

Or did you miss that part??

Not all games need great AI, the illusion of good AI is good enough for most games. Can I ask when was the last time you played a game and said the AI was amazing and led to greater enjoyment of a game ?

Good AI is very difficult to get right.
This comment was edited on Mar 8, 14:26.
5.
 
Re: GDC 2007: The Wii is a Piece of S***
Mar 8, 2007, 13:27
5.
Re: GDC 2007: The Wii is a Piece of S*** Mar 8, 2007, 13:27
Mar 8, 2007, 13:27
 
For some reason I don't think Graphics is the big thing, I would rather have good gameplay any day over HDR lighting, Stencil Shadows etc etc etc.

Please devs don't focus on Graphics or super realistic AI, remeber there is a thing called gameplay and balance that should trump everything.

This comment was edited on Mar 8, 13:29.
2.
 
Five of the Greatest ?
Nov 21, 2006, 10:34
2.
Five of the Greatest ? Nov 21, 2006, 10:34
Nov 21, 2006, 10:34
 
I would say the greatest SW games are

1. X-Wing
2. Tie-Fighter
3. Dark Forces
4. Dark Forces 2 - Jedi Knight
5. Knights of the Old Republic

I need to dig out my old copy of Tie-Fighter and try it out on DosBox.

15.
 
Re: No subject
Apr 27, 2006, 16:01
15.
Re: No subject Apr 27, 2006, 16:01
Apr 27, 2006, 16:01
 
The EA job thing is part of reason why I didn't apply for a job in the US. If I want to get treated like a Third World sweat shop worker then I will get a job in China manufacturing shoes for Nike. I did not expect a an employer based in a developed nation(like EA) to treat their employees so shabbily.

No wonder the talent was draining out of industry when people where burned out after 3 or 5 years. I think the US game developers should Unionise as soon as possible to protect themselves and their profession.

I spoke to someone in the Industry in Scotland about this and he said that companies like EA who force people do to 12 -14 hours shifts only get a good 8 hours out of that person. Mainly because people get tried of staring at a screen hammering out code, they make mistakes and then it takes even more man hours to fix the problem. The guys I spoke to said his company don't expect any one to work over 8 hours a day, expect when crunch time occurs in the project( about the last 2 -3 months). When that occurs they get paid for all overtime.


10.
 
Re: No subject
Apr 24, 2006, 15:54
10.
Re: No subject Apr 24, 2006, 15:54
Apr 24, 2006, 15:54
 
Hmm. Never realised they were based here. Dunno why Edinburgh in particular has become such a hotspot for games, though.

Probably because of Rockstar North, it happens all the time if you get one successful games company in a city then a few spring up at the same time. Plus I think the Scottish Executive have started pumping money into the games industry.


6.
 
Re: No subject
Apr 24, 2006, 15:39
6.
Re: No subject Apr 24, 2006, 15:39
Apr 24, 2006, 15:39
 
This game looks pretty neat. Definitely an innovative idea. I'd like to try a demo (I didn't see that the old mod was still available), but it's good to see unique ideas like this gettin gtheir chance to shine.

Parallax Abstraction
Ottawa, Canada

I think you can download it from this link

http://www.theship.jolt.co.uk/

Seems like a good concept, one of my friends went for a job interview with Outerlight they seem to be expanding which is good for the games Industry in Scotland.


97.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 18, 2005, 19:07
97.
Re: No subject Nov 18, 2005, 19:07
Nov 18, 2005, 19:07
 
San Franscico just voted to ban hand guns, that's where that reference comes from.

The French are such a bunch of pussies they don't even quash the rioting of a bunch of kids, which is why I brought them up.

Can you refresh my memory, What happened in LA in 1992 ?

And guess how many people where killed in the French riots compared to the LA riots ?

I wonder what the major difference was ?


11.
 
Re: bashing EA is popular nowadays ah?
Oct 2, 2005, 16:31
11.
Re: bashing EA is popular nowadays ah? Oct 2, 2005, 16:31
Oct 2, 2005, 16:31
 
I have played FIFA for the last 12 years and since FIFA 95 the series has went totally down hill. Also if you look at sales in the last 2 years then EA's FIFA is the underdog.

This comment was edited on Oct 2, 16:31.
7.
 
Re: FIFA is a farce
Oct 1, 2005, 17:52
7.
Re: FIFA is a farce Oct 1, 2005, 17:52
Oct 1, 2005, 17:52
 
Does that mean no other Game Company can create an NFL Game ?

Or does that mean that if a Game is created then they can not use the real player names ?

1.
 
Fifa - Thumbs Down
Oct 1, 2005, 02:07
1.
Fifa - Thumbs Down Oct 1, 2005, 02:07
Oct 1, 2005, 02:07
 
I personally don't like the EA FIFA Franchise it doesn't really capture the spirit of Football. Pro Evolution Soccer on the other hand does the sport justice.

I will buy Pro Evo Soccer to satisfy my Virtual Football needs.

18.
 
Re: Censored
Sep 21, 2005, 06:30
18.
Re: Censored Sep 21, 2005, 06:30
Sep 21, 2005, 06:30
 
The game has lots of nudity and sex scenes. After the whole "Hot Coffee" fiasco, Atari doesn't want to take any risks.

What I find strange there is an obvious murder in the game, countless acts of violence and satanic or pagan images in the game but a wee bit a nudity and the game would automatically get a Adult only rating, strange.

15.
 
Re: Censored
Sep 21, 2005, 04:40
15.
Re: Censored Sep 21, 2005, 04:40
Sep 21, 2005, 04:40
 
I just got it yesterday from amazon.co.uk, I have to say it is quite a good game. I am really not a fan of the mini games and it is not as free form as I thought. It gives you an illusion of freedom rather than actual freedom.

Also I would say it feels like a film(or TV series) rather than an actual game, it cuts between cameras just like a film.

I find it starnge that the US version has been cut, the game recieved a 15 certificate by BBFC, which I guess would the be equivalent to an R certificate in the US. I really see nothing wrong with what I have seen in the game so far.

12.
 
Re: So...
Sep 16, 2005, 18:30
12.
Re: So... Sep 16, 2005, 18:30
Sep 16, 2005, 18:30
 
Three? I gotta get my demo back out! I got arrested, and got away in the cab. What was the third ending? (this is a really short demo, so I don't think spoiler rules apply here)

You can go down the subway, not a really something to go back and play the demo for.

The game also got a good review from Pc Zone in the Uk about 85% IIRC. Also Edge Magazine Reviewed the console version and gave it 8/10.

This comment was edited on Sep 16, 18:37.
6.
 
Re: So...
Sep 16, 2005, 17:21
6.
Re: So... Sep 16, 2005, 17:21
Sep 16, 2005, 17:21
 
I loved the demo I will echo Ray's wootage. Already Pre-Ordered it, should be getting it soon.

In the demo you pick many different paths, I think I went through 3 distinct endings.

EDIT, about the same time I typed this post, I recieved an email from amazon saying that my copy of Fahrenheit has been dispatched. wooooooot

This comment was edited on Sep 16, 17:27.
7.
 
Re: Homebrew PSP developer defeats v 2.0
Aug 10, 2005, 20:41
7.
Re: Homebrew PSP developer defeats v 2.0 Aug 10, 2005, 20:41
Aug 10, 2005, 20:41
 
Someone busted the 2.0 firmware?? About time. I accidentally let my PSP update to it, not having touched it for a month or so.

A month ???

They still have not released the thing over here in the UK yet, What is your impression with the PSP so far ?

I was thinking of holding off to see who comes out ahead in the handheld war(between Sony and Nintendo)
This comment was edited on Aug 10, 20:48.
76.
 
Re: No subject
Jul 28, 2005, 09:32
76.
Re: No subject Jul 28, 2005, 09:32
Jul 28, 2005, 09:32
 
Hillary Clinton is a right wing freak?

I would consider her a right wing freak, the main stream of US politics is skewed to the right compared to over here in the UK.

This comment was edited on Jul 28, 09:34.
8.
 
Re: Can't play until later...
Jul 27, 2005, 06:37
8.
Re: Can't play until later... Jul 27, 2005, 06:37
Jul 27, 2005, 06:37
 
I quite like it as well, how many times did you go back after the murder and re-try ? and how many different endings did you guys get ?

At the moment I have tried it three times -

1)I cleared everything, washed my hands but by the time I done that the police officer came in and arrested me
2) I cleared everything and ran out the back door without paying the bill. I then went for the subway.
3) I cleared everything and when I tried to go out the front the waitress stopped me. I then went back and paid the bill. I then went back out through the front door and then caught a cab.

If the whole game is like this I am going to buy this game.

15.
 
Re: Rockstar = Dumb
Jul 27, 2005, 04:52
15.
Re: Rockstar = Dumb Jul 27, 2005, 04:52
Jul 27, 2005, 04:52
 
Yes rockstar did lie, but all this has been blown out of proportion.

I have found it is amazing that in the game you can kill people, kill cops, steal cars, pimp and steal. It gets a mature rating but if you put in a bit of nudity it gets an adult only rating. I am glad I live in the UK where games are rated just like movies, this has meant that GT:San Andreas got an 18 certificate.

This means that anyone under 18 can not legally buy the game, if the US had a similar system then none of this would have been a problem.

Also is this particular thing in America where violence and killing is okay but sex is a no no ? Even though you guys have one of biggest porno industries in the World.

I thought America was founded on the principles of small Government, where the Federal Government would not interfere with the Market or ordinary people. If they truly believe in Capitalism they should let the market decide whether this game should sell or not.

This comment was edited on Jul 27, 04:53.
84 Comments. 5 pages. Viewing page 1.
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