Aging in Games

[PedroSteckecilo]

The aging system in Fable 1 frustrated me, so how does it work in Fable 2? I probably should have asked this before I bought it but meh...

While we're at it why not discuss the concept of "forced aging in games" in general... since in games where you can create your own character it effects the customized appearance you may have carefully crafted.

Any thoughts?

 

[Blind Punk Riot]

I'm waiting for this sweet cot ridden child of mine to grow up so I can interact with it properly. Untill then I shall continue to buy all the things I can, and drop the prices to its lowest...

Sure it seems good now, but just wait for the economy to suffer... oh, it will happen...


Come on GCSE Economics, don't fail me now.
Time to draw a graph...

 

[Aries_Split]

I really wished my Character had aged in Oblivion.


Ever notice that there were no Children in that game?

 

[Kabutos]

I like the idea of aging since it makes it seem like the game is progressing through a large span of time. However, I don't like the way that Fable makes it so that only you age, and that everyone else stays the same.

Spoiler

For instance, during your Fable 2 childhood, you meet a man who takes your photograph. When you grow up, you meet him three more times, and he's exactly the same when you are an old man.

 

[Fanboy]

In Fable 1, I used the glitch during the Merchant escort mission to keep myself as young as possible. That game's aging system was just stupid, so I didn't feel bad exploiting it. I mean, come on, how is it that I am 60 years old but my OLDER sister is younger than me?

I can't think of any other games that have forced aging.

Edit: Actually, I remember Driver: Parallel Lines had forced aging, though that wasn't really an RPG

 

[axia777]

I don't think many games really a long enough to justify aging of any sort. I know my character aged in Oblivion, but I never noticed any real difference in stats as he did age. Can anyone confirm this? Do stats change in Oblivion as a character gets older? I never bothered to look. I know they look older though.

Personally I think that aging in a game fits mostly into really long RPG's. If it fits the gameplay mechanics then it is good.

I really wished my Character had aged in Oblivion.


Ever notice that there were no Children in that game?

Yes, it was kind of weird. Here is a mod to fix that.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3577

 

[runtheplacered]

meh...

I don't know why, but I see this word and just can't draw myself to say anything useful. If the word "meh" = "i don't care", then why does this thread exist?

That pseudo-word is one of those internet terms that I hope is just a fad and disappears as quickly as it came.

As for ...

While we're at it why not discuss the concept of "forced aging in games" in general... since in games where you can create your own character it effects the customized appearance you may have carefully crafted.

I personally wish more games gave permanent changes to your customized character. I like the idea that the game influences things that are beyond my control, thus giving my character... well... character.

Although I rarely ever "carefully craft" my character to begin with, so we may be coming at this from different angles to start off with.

 

[squirrelman42]

yeah, aging in fable was a joke. You hit 65 in hours and then you just stay there. I hope Fable 2 does it differently and at least does something to your stats.

 

[shadow_pirate22]

If I make my character look one way, then the aging system makes him/her look totally different, then I get angry. It'd be nice if aging was an option you could turn off...

 

[NeedAUserName]

Aging in games is a good idea in Theory, (except in The Sims 2, (were it was a good thing)) as I like to (without sounding really geeky/sad/pathetic/just plain weird) have an understanding with my character, i.e. you don't change, I won't. I don't like the idea that if I don't have kids then I'm up a certain creek without a paddle. As well in most first play through's with games, I try to just play the main story only, then do side missions/optional things (i.e. have a family (that kinda sounds cold, I know but its the only way I can put it)), and if I take to long, then who knows what will happen.

 

[hamster mk 4]

Sid Mires Pirates had an aging system. It made you slower at sword play when you get too old. I didn't like it. The game hinges on swash buckeling to accomplish anything cool. Often I would find my character too old because I was playing with him too much. This is not how a game should reward its players for investing time and effort into it.

 

[Bowstring]

I don't think many games really a long enough to justify aging of any sort. I know my character aged in Oblivion, but I never noticed any real difference in stats as he did age. Can anyone confirm this? Do stats change in Oblivion as a character gets older? I never bothered to look. I know they look older though.

Personally I think that aging in a game fits mostly into really long RPG's. If it fits the gameplay mechanics then it is good.

I really wished my Character had aged in Oblivion.


Ever notice that there were no Children in that game?

Yes, it was kind of weird. Here is a mod to fix that.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3577

You don't get older in oblivion.

Indeed. Did your character contract Vampirism at all? AFAIK that's the only thing that can affect your character's appearance.

 

[insectoid]

I haven't played enough of Fable 2 to see the aging system properly...but it should be everyone ages, or nobody does.

 

[axia777]

I don't think many games really a long enough to justify aging of any sort. I know my character aged in Oblivion, but I never noticed any real difference in stats as he did age. Can anyone confirm this? Do stats change in Oblivion as a character gets older? I never bothered to look. I know they look older though.

Personally I think that aging in a game fits mostly into really long RPG's. If it fits the gameplay mechanics then it is good.

I really wished my Character had aged in Oblivion.


Ever notice that there were no Children in that game?

Yes, it was kind of weird. Here is a mod to fix that.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3577

You don't get older in oblivion.

Indeed. Did your character contract Vampirism at all? AFAIK that's the only thing that can affect your character's appearance.

Then why does a character in Oblivion get wrinkles? I seem to remember getting wrinkles. Maybe I am just delusional. It would not be the first time......*wanders off drooling on self*

 

[axia777]

I don't think many games really a long enough to justify aging of any sort. I know my character aged in Oblivion, but I never noticed any real difference in stats as he did age. Can anyone confirm this? Do stats change in Oblivion as a character gets older? I never bothered to look. I know they look older though.

Personally I think that aging in a game fits mostly into really long RPG's. If it fits the gameplay mechanics then it is good.

I really wished my Character had aged in Oblivion.


Ever notice that there were no Children in that game?

Yes, it was kind of weird. Here is a mod to fix that.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3577

You don't get older in oblivion.

Indeed. Did your character contract Vampirism at all? AFAIK that's the only thing that can affect your character's appearance.

Then why does a character in Oblivion get wrinkles? I seem to remember getting wrinkles. Maybe I am just delusional. It would not be the first time......*wanders off drooling on self*

You contracted vampirism then.
It makes your character look older as would cancer make someone young look more saggy and aged.

No, I never got Vampirism. I always just cheated and summoned up the cure. Screw that Vampirism Quest. That shit is BUNK.

I guess I am just mixing up several of my characters. One was older to start off and a couple were younger.

 

[zirnitra]

the mecanics for it don't really work in a non linear game. I don't really like it at all. their's no big a downer in a game than watching your avatar you customised hair fall out. age and need a hip op in level three.

the only game it really worked in was Mafia

 

[TheCheryl]

Oh gosh I felt so bad for my Fable character. He had gotten scarred from all the rough fights we had, saved Albion, and was good as can be. Raising his stats aged him so very heavily that even though he still had a handsomeness to him, it just felt so... unfair. No one else aged so it was like he was sacrificing years and years off his life in order to help everyone. Aging worked for Creatures and Black & White. Fable? Not at all.

 

[shatnershaman]

All my characters are demons so it doesn't matter if they're 25 or 65.

 

[sheic99]

I really did not like the Fable ageing system. If you aged slower, or if everyone aged with you then that would be much better. But it's kind of weird when the main character gets with Briar Rose(Good+ ending at least in Lost Chapters) She would be about 70 but looks the same as you met her.

Kinda Weird.

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

The aging system in Fable 1 frustrated me, so how does it work in Fable 2? I probably should have asked this before I bought it but meh...

While we're at it why not discuss the concept of "forced aging in games" in general... since in games where you can create your own character it effects the customized appearance you may have carefully crafted.

Any thoughts?

Spoiler

Aging in Fable 2 isn't to bad. You hover around 21-25 until you get to the spire, around 30 after the spire and around 35-40ish if you sacrifice your age for the hero of skill. The dick!