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I’m sure most of you have heard of the timing features that have been used in games. The most notable (okay, the first one I can think of…) is in ‘Star Wars: Rogue Leader’ where depending on what time of day it is, levels based on planets change accordingly to dawn, dusk, night, etc. depending on what the time of day really is. It seems like a pretty cool feature, but how can we take it further?
Well, what if it’s raining? With all the modems and Internet access on consoles, we could simply connect to the net (or we may be always hooked up if on a cable connection) and download the weather. Maybe when cable Internet is more standardised we’ll see consoles automatically doing this. Then, in game, the weather would change according to where we are playing. If it rains outside, it rains in game (although, living in the UK, this could lead to some game environments getting flooded :D), if it’s sunny outside, it’s sunny in game, if… (I think you get the picture). A great part of this would be if there was a thunder storm or similar extreme weather. Imagine the great effect this could have on the in-game environment! If this was implemented obviously effects for all weather could not be included, but as it evolved more and more possible conditions could be added, from hailstorms to thick fog, and maybe things like tornadoes (though it’s unlikely you’d be playing games with a tornado on your doorstep…).
I think this could add a lot to games, but obviously it wouldn’t be to everyone’s tastes, we get enough real rain in the UK without virtual rain every time it rains outside. And I suppose each region could get sick of the same old conditions in game. However, I do think it could be great for some genres, particularly RPGs, and probably racing games too. ‘Wave Race: Blue Storm’ allows you to mess around with the weather, imagine of you could have an option for the game to mirror the actual weather outside.
There are other ideas that could help give a better environment in gaming. Developers have already used internal clocks for times of day, why not for seasons too, or having special events on certain days (eg. Christmas). Again, this wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste, perhaps it even goes against what games should be about… if games are escapism, then mirroring the real season or weather may seem stupid. However, I think that it could be really helpful, especially since developers rarely seem to include any weather effects at all, it could be a way of ensuring they have some there.
These may seem pretty much novelty effects, but if developers made sure the weather conditions effected the gameplay they could be much more. For example, if rain put out fire, in say an RPG fire magic would be less effective, the enemies vision could be made worse for the night, making it the best option to wait for a night time raid in a FPS and racers could have slippery conditions in the icy weather, and less grip in the rain. ‘Earthbound’ on the SNES has certain areas where you could not wander about for too long or you’d get sunstroke (the desert) or frostbite (cold, icy areas). If things like these were implemented, making you weaker if exposed to extreme conditions for too long they could add more depth to games. Of course, you could say that people could just cheat and play the game when conditions were best, but it would give each gamer a unique experience depending on when they played the game, and where they were playing. And I think it’d be better to play a hard part of a game when conditions are best rather than resorting to cheats.
I don’t think these changes would be too hard to implement (particularly not the seasons one) and with all the Internet tools for next-gen consoles the weather shouldn’t be too hard either. They should definitely be considered.
Well, what if it’s raining? With all the modems and Internet access on consoles, we could simply connect to the net (or we may be always hooked up if on a cable connection) and download the weather. Maybe when cable Internet is more standardised we’ll see consoles automatically doing this. Then, in game, the weather would change according to where we are playing. If it rains outside, it rains in game (although, living in the UK, this could lead to some game environments getting flooded :D), if it’s sunny outside, it’s sunny in game, if… (I think you get the picture). A great part of this would be if there was a thunder storm or similar extreme weather. Imagine the great effect this could have on the in-game environment! If this was implemented obviously effects for all weather could not be included, but as it evolved more and more possible conditions could be added, from hailstorms to thick fog, and maybe things like tornadoes (though it’s unlikely you’d be playing games with a tornado on your doorstep…).
I think this could add a lot to games, but obviously it wouldn’t be to everyone’s tastes, we get enough real rain in the UK without virtual rain every time it rains outside. And I suppose each region could get sick of the same old conditions in game. However, I do think it could be great for some genres, particularly RPGs, and probably racing games too. ‘Wave Race: Blue Storm’ allows you to mess around with the weather, imagine of you could have an option for the game to mirror the actual weather outside.
There are other ideas that could help give a better environment in gaming. Developers have already used internal clocks for times of day, why not for seasons too, or having special events on certain days (eg. Christmas). Again, this wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste, perhaps it even goes against what games should be about… if games are escapism, then mirroring the real season or weather may seem stupid. However, I think that it could be really helpful, especially since developers rarely seem to include any weather effects at all, it could be a way of ensuring they have some there.
These may seem pretty much novelty effects, but if developers made sure the weather conditions effected the gameplay they could be much more. For example, if rain put out fire, in say an RPG fire magic would be less effective, the enemies vision could be made worse for the night, making it the best option to wait for a night time raid in a FPS and racers could have slippery conditions in the icy weather, and less grip in the rain. ‘Earthbound’ on the SNES has certain areas where you could not wander about for too long or you’d get sunstroke (the desert) or frostbite (cold, icy areas). If things like these were implemented, making you weaker if exposed to extreme conditions for too long they could add more depth to games. Of course, you could say that people could just cheat and play the game when conditions were best, but it would give each gamer a unique experience depending on when they played the game, and where they were playing. And I think it’d be better to play a hard part of a game when conditions are best rather than resorting to cheats.
I don’t think these changes would be too hard to implement (particularly not the seasons one) and with all the Internet tools for next-gen consoles the weather shouldn’t be too hard either. They should definitely be considered.
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Wow. Thanks SR!
Yeah, if you did get a device to put on your roof or something to read weather effects it probably would attract lightning or something... and since it'd be connected to your console it might blow your console up too! So that could be a problem with that :D
But internet downloading would be the most viable way of implememnting it.
Thanks again for the GAD SR!
Yeah, if you did get a device to put on your roof or something to read weather effects it probably would attract lightning or something... and since it'd be connected to your console it might blow your console up too! So that could be a problem with that :D
But internet downloading would be the most viable way of implememnting it.
Thanks again for the GAD SR!
Well done Sibs! A well deserved win. :D
I was also wondering the same about having to pay for some kinda outdoor machine or something that recognises the weather and puts it into the game.
Problem is it'd probably conduct lightning too! :S
I was also wondering the same about having to pay for some kinda outdoor machine or something that recognises the weather and puts it into the game.
Problem is it'd probably conduct lightning too! :S
Yeah, the problem with replicating the weather outside is it could never be 100% accurate. Weather on TV only gives weather for say morning, afternoon and night. It doesn't have exact times etc. for each small shower of rain, or each time the sun peeks through the clouds... And the weather forecast is over a general area... not just the area right outside where you are playing your console...
The only way I can see to get the weather replicated exactly is a sensor or similar device you'd have to buy to go on your roof or something to pick up readings on loads of weather (like wind, rain, light intensity, etc.) to accurately recreate that in-game. However it is unlikely many (if any) people would buy such a device.
And the problem with the internet downloading weather is that one of the greatest uses for the internet (especially on consoles) would be playing others from all over the world. However, the weather feature would be pretty useless for internet gaming, but would in fact require the internet to be used... You can't very well race it out on a track with two conflicting weather patterns... The only way I see it could work would be to have two rounds (like a home round and an away round) the home round using your weather, the away using your opponents. I reckon that would work pretty well for footie games.
Or for games like Tony Hawks where levels are in real locations in the world the console could download weather info for that country/state at that time and use it in game for the appropriate level. That could also be quite cool.
But ultimately it would be just a gimmick unless a developer was willing to put a hell of a lot of effort into developing it to have proper gameplay effects.
Anyway, I will check out your topic in a min, but on a completely different topic (I saw your tagline :D) you like Mad Capsule Markets...? I hear they're very good hardcore/metal/techno/punk music... I'll have to download some tracks... can you reccomend any?
The only way I can see to get the weather replicated exactly is a sensor or similar device you'd have to buy to go on your roof or something to pick up readings on loads of weather (like wind, rain, light intensity, etc.) to accurately recreate that in-game. However it is unlikely many (if any) people would buy such a device.
And the problem with the internet downloading weather is that one of the greatest uses for the internet (especially on consoles) would be playing others from all over the world. However, the weather feature would be pretty useless for internet gaming, but would in fact require the internet to be used... You can't very well race it out on a track with two conflicting weather patterns... The only way I see it could work would be to have two rounds (like a home round and an away round) the home round using your weather, the away using your opponents. I reckon that would work pretty well for footie games.
Or for games like Tony Hawks where levels are in real locations in the world the console could download weather info for that country/state at that time and use it in game for the appropriate level. That could also be quite cool.
But ultimately it would be just a gimmick unless a developer was willing to put a hell of a lot of effort into developing it to have proper gameplay effects.
Anyway, I will check out your topic in a min, but on a completely different topic (I saw your tagline :D) you like Mad Capsule Markets...? I hear they're very good hardcore/metal/techno/punk music... I'll have to download some tracks... can you reccomend any?
It could work, but I don't think that the weather outside could ever be accurately replicated by a machine, its just not possible. In games when it rains, it rains. It doesn't have the wind blowing big 'sections' of rain, making the pattern vary, it just rains. That said, playing a game like GT online with accurate weather conditions would be great, but playing against somebody in, say, Japan might be a problem.
What about a constant weather pattern, and that if you play in the morning and its bucketing down, when you play in the afternoon its got that post-rain feeling. And if there was a 3 day weather forecast (a la Wave Race) which told you the weather for the next three days - and that is how the weather would be in any games you play those days.
You're right, it could be used well, but may create boredom from real-life syndrome (The Sims)
I wrote a topic like this a couple of weeks ago; check it out
http://ukchatforums.reserve.co.uk /display_messages.php?threadid=42720&forumid=185
What about a constant weather pattern, and that if you play in the morning and its bucketing down, when you play in the afternoon its got that post-rain feeling. And if there was a 3 day weather forecast (a la Wave Race) which told you the weather for the next three days - and that is how the weather would be in any games you play those days.
You're right, it could be used well, but may create boredom from real-life syndrome (The Sims)
I wrote a topic like this a couple of weeks ago; check it out
http://ukchatforums.reserve.co.uk /display_messages.php?threadid=42720&forumid=185
Ultimately it would pretty much be a gimmick for most games, but for certain games you could have some areas inaccessible in some seasons (ie because ice needs to melt, or a plant needs to grow or something like that) and then when the season changes the area is accessible to the player.
Granted, these things could not be major plot areas or the player might have to wait for the season to change to get any further in a game, but in, for example, Zelda, a heart piece or any other collectable item could be hidden and only accessible in the right season.
Mirroring the actual weather outside would just mean less waiting around for the season to change, as even during Winter there'll be the occassional hot day and vice versa... so you wouldn't be waiting months for an are to become available (although developers could still make areas only open in certain weather and/or certain seasons, so maybe an area would only be open in Summer, or only open when raining, or only open when raining in the Summer...).
Granted, these things could not be major plot areas or the player might have to wait for the season to change to get any further in a game, but in, for example, Zelda, a heart piece or any other collectable item could be hidden and only accessible in the right season.
Mirroring the actual weather outside would just mean less waiting around for the season to change, as even during Winter there'll be the occassional hot day and vice versa... so you wouldn't be waiting months for an are to become available (although developers could still make areas only open in certain weather and/or certain seasons, so maybe an area would only be open in Summer, or only open when raining, or only open when raining in the Summer...).
It's all to do with the GameCube's clock isn't it??
Heh, so in order to mess arounf with the weather in this way, wouldn't the Cube need something like a built-in Weather Lady to do this???
Maybe this would work well when/if it goes on-line??
Maybe certain servers will set the enviroments for the matches to just like what thy currently are in real life??
Heh, so in order to mess arounf with the weather in this way, wouldn't the Cube need something like a built-in Weather Lady to do this???
Maybe this would work well when/if it goes on-line??
Maybe certain servers will set the enviroments for the matches to just like what thy currently are in real life??
Cyclone wrote:
> Weather is pretty bad in most games anyway!
Yeah, but if this was implemented and developers wanted to make use of it they'd HAVE to make the weather effects good!
Games like Burnout manage
> tio pull it off quite well, but most levels in games that feature
> wather have it for gameplay purposes, not aesthetics - ie slippy
> roads, or less visiblity rather than to create a realistic feel of the
> wrold outside.
Yeah, but how many games actually DO feature weather? Apart form racers, footie games... I can't think of many others... I mean sure stuff like Mario has ice worlds and all that but they're not changing environments, it is just one level that's always icy... imagine of levels changed according to weather... it could change the level somehow, and I reckon could add to gameplay...
> And what has happened to Earthbound for the N64/possibly GC???
N64 was canned and was going to be out on 64DD, then that too was canned (I think) and there is a petition for Earthbound on GC at...*looks up URL* Ah, go to... http://starmen.net/petition/
> It would be interesting though!
Thank you for your kind words. :D
> Weather is pretty bad in most games anyway!
Yeah, but if this was implemented and developers wanted to make use of it they'd HAVE to make the weather effects good!
Games like Burnout manage
> tio pull it off quite well, but most levels in games that feature
> wather have it for gameplay purposes, not aesthetics - ie slippy
> roads, or less visiblity rather than to create a realistic feel of the
> wrold outside.
Yeah, but how many games actually DO feature weather? Apart form racers, footie games... I can't think of many others... I mean sure stuff like Mario has ice worlds and all that but they're not changing environments, it is just one level that's always icy... imagine of levels changed according to weather... it could change the level somehow, and I reckon could add to gameplay...
> And what has happened to Earthbound for the N64/possibly GC???
N64 was canned and was going to be out on 64DD, then that too was canned (I think) and there is a petition for Earthbound on GC at...*looks up URL* Ah, go to... http://starmen.net/petition/
> It would be interesting though!
Thank you for your kind words. :D
Oi Oi Sibs!
Weather is pretty bad in most games anyway! Games like Burnout manage tio pull it off quite well, but most levels in games that feature wather have it for gameplay purposes, not aesthetics - ie slippy roads, or less visiblity rather than to create a realistic feel of the wrold outside.
And what has happened to Earthbound for the N64/possibly GC???
It would be interesting though!
Weather is pretty bad in most games anyway! Games like Burnout manage tio pull it off quite well, but most levels in games that feature wather have it for gameplay purposes, not aesthetics - ie slippy roads, or less visiblity rather than to create a realistic feel of the wrold outside.
And what has happened to Earthbound for the N64/possibly GC???
It would be interesting though!
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