238: Mapping Perfection
- Thread starter C J Davies
- Start date
I was a little surprised that when the author said 'accessibility' it meant exposure rather than playability.
I don't have a PC and confining my gaming to consoles helps me actually get work done, so I haven't played much in the way of mods, except for LPB. And the thing about Little Big Planet is that so many levels I've played haven't been tested very well to ensure that the player can just get through the level.
Maybe this isn't an issue with PC mods? It would seem to me that the really successful modders made a level (or a shift) that was fun. Tested and tweaked so players have a good time, and doesn't just look cool.
I mean, sure; all those user created levels on LBP function but that doesn't mean they're playable. The good levels aren't necessarily familiar, they're the ones that are fun to play. The familiar ones-Bioshock, Resident Evil, Sonic themed ones look pretty but don't automatically add to your gaming experience. They work on a nostalgia front and once you remove that the substance frequently is thin, or frustrating because the level wasn't designed for fun, just to look cool.
Interesting article though.
I don't have a PC and confining my gaming to consoles helps me actually get work done, so I haven't played much in the way of mods, except for LPB. And the thing about Little Big Planet is that so many levels I've played haven't been tested very well to ensure that the player can just get through the level.
Maybe this isn't an issue with PC mods? It would seem to me that the really successful modders made a level (or a shift) that was fun. Tested and tweaked so players have a good time, and doesn't just look cool.
I mean, sure; all those user created levels on LBP function but that doesn't mean they're playable. The good levels aren't necessarily familiar, they're the ones that are fun to play. The familiar ones-Bioshock, Resident Evil, Sonic themed ones look pretty but don't automatically add to your gaming experience. They work on a nostalgia front and once you remove that the substance frequently is thin, or frustrating because the level wasn't designed for fun, just to look cool.
Interesting article though.
Lots of other notable mods but sticking with the console-oriented mentions: Timesplitters series. Although I was always holding HL, CS, etc as the prime modder success, I loved creating all kinds of maps on Timesplitters whenever I wasn't on the PC. If I still had the game, or if part 3 (or hopefully its sequel) was ported to the PC, I would love to make more even with the restrictions it had.
If a mod or user level makes me yell "Oh snap!" at some point, it's a good mod.
My favorite mod of all time is still the Better Cities crossed with QARL's Texture Pack 3. You then boot up the game and OH SNAP!
It completely transforms the cities and makes them VERY pretty to look at... I will never view the Imperial Arboretum the same way again.
It doesn't majorly change any of the game itself (except some tunnels in the Imperial City), but the amount of hard work that clearly went into it really makes it shine.
Although it will be eclipsed by <link=http://www.tamriel-rebuilt.org>this if it ever finishes.
My favorite mod of all time is still the Better Cities crossed with QARL's Texture Pack 3. You then boot up the game and OH SNAP!
It completely transforms the cities and makes them VERY pretty to look at... I will never view the Imperial Arboretum the same way again.
It doesn't majorly change any of the game itself (except some tunnels in the Imperial City), but the amount of hard work that clearly went into it really makes it shine.
Although it will be eclipsed by <link=http://www.tamriel-rebuilt.org>this if it ever finishes.
