RANT: Weapons on your back

[Lord Doomhammer]

Of all the things in wow that don't make sense, you picked how the weapon is attached to the back? How about how a gnome can carry a head the size of it's own body on it's shoulders? I get your rant, it makes sense and would be nice to see implemented, but it would cover up everyone's epic lewtz.

 

[Tjebbe]

Yes, it's much much easier to stash that 12 foot Dual-handed Demon Dagger of Doom in your front pocket. What were they thinking?

 

[Christian Lerche]

How strong were the magnets you used?

Not strong enough, but I'm pretty sure it'll work if it gets more strengh and has a pull on about 20 kg.

op, how do magnets work?

And I don't wanna talk to no scientist, dudes lyin' an' makin' me pissed!

 

[Christian Lerche]

I actually care. I don't like the "It's a game, it doesn't matter" statement because I like it when people take extra time to add detail to games and that's just a cop out. Also the argument of "Other parts don't make sense so nothing has to". And this detail makes sense to add.

Thanks for agreement
Like you, I belive, having a game, where it a belivable world is the best. Sure it's unreal, but taking a bit of realism and combine it with the "sparta" factor, that makes an awesome setting you really can immerse yourself into. Examples like Deux Ex, Mass Effect, Assasins creed and so on. And if you're making a game where it's unserios and made out of crack, it's fine to have weapons spawn out of nowhere (looking at you Kratos) because it's already so much over the top that it's ridicules. Bulletstorm should likewise have a bigger inventory and unlimited ammo, because it's already so silly.

 

[Santa216]

I think the perceived problem is how accepted it is among the games, even the "serious" ones, more than the lack of any real attempt to make it "realistic". It's like not seeing your feet in an FPS - unreal, yet universally accepted. Some people are still bothered by it, of course, while other couldn't care less. It doesn't necessarily mean any group is particularly more in the right.

The difference between these examples is, while it would be exceedingly hard to offer any kind of justification for the FPS Ghost Syndrome, RPG floating invisible scabbards have it way easier. Just have the weapon bathe briefly in golden light any time it is put on/off the hero's back. Voilà. The world is consistent, floating makes sense, badass points are scored. The game is arguably more awesome as a result. Not doing this can only be attributed to being lazy or dismissive.

The only problem is can see with it, it changes the world. A realm that allows for such an everpresent, utilitarian arcane power can no longer be a perfect Tolkien fantasy. Some people might have a problem with that. Ultimately, from the creator standpoint, it comes down to the difference between creating one's own world or maintaining a flawed masquerade. You can either tell people to imagine the scabbards being there, floaty and possibly invisible, or decide to just fuck Tolkien and actually try to think up something yourself.

Which, of course, brings me back again to the conclusion that studios are lazy. There's little to no excuse for that.

 

[NLS]

Yeah, they could at least try to reduce those 2 inches with floating air in Dragon Age by at least keeping them closer.

 

[Christian Lerche]

I think the perceived problem is how accepted it is among the games, even the "serious" ones, more than the lack of any real attempt to make it "realistic". It's like not seeing your feet in an FPS - unreal, yet universally accepted. Some people are still bothered by it, of course, while other couldn't care less. It doesn't necessarily mean any group is particularly more in the right.

The difference between these examples is, while it would be exceedingly hard to offer any kind of justification for the FPS Ghost Syndrome, RPG floating invisible scabbards have it way easier. Just have the weapon bathe briefly in golden light any time it is put on/off the hero's back. Voilà. The world is consistent, floating makes sense, badass points are scored. The game is arguably more awesome as a result. Not doing this can only be attributed to being lazy or dismissive.

The only problem is can see with it, it changes the world. A realm that allows for such an everpresent, utilitarian arcane power can no longer be a perfect Tolkien fantasy. Some people might have a problem with that. Ultimately, from the creator standpoint, it comes down to the difference between creating one's own world or maintaining a flawed masquerade. You can either tell people to imagine the scabbards being there, floaty and possibly invisible, or decide to just fuck Tolkien and actually try to think up something yourself.

Which, of course, brings me back again to the conclusion that studios are lazy. There's little to no excuse for that.

You, good sir (meant respectfully, not as an insult) have won my respect. It has to be beliveable in its own world, and you made a very valid point.

It's not "Aesthetic" just laziness from the creators..

 

[Tax_Document]

Is it me, or has the Gaming Community gotten even more whiny, as amazing as that sounds.

 

[Trolldor]

Is it me, or has the Gaming Community gotten even more whiny, as amazing as that sounds.

I think it's more that we've reached a point where these sort of things are easily done, they're just not, and when you spend some 24 hours on a game (ala DA:O, and that's assuming you don't replay) these sorts of things start to stand out.
They're no more whiny than any other group, to be honest.

And I have to admit, staring at the gun floating in mid-air while playing Fallout 3 is aggrevating as all hell.

 

[StormShaun]

I hate this too but not to the point that I dont play a game, BUT the one thing that I question in game like Falllout 3 is the carry button, what do I have the force of something!

Well thats what I thought anyways ,that my characters are soo powerful that they have the force...

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Sure, but having said problem in games, is like having modern language in LARP

Easily fixable by repeated mace blows

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

You're forgetting The Rule Of Cool. Weapons sheathed on the back are cool, thus entirely plausible in games. I'm more concerned about where Snake was keeping all his weapons...

 

[Sarge034]

I know right. I hate it when games are NOT JUST LIKE THE REAL WORLD. Chill out, it's a game.

I ***** where I please, and I please where I *****.

Ok, then don't play those games that make you angry. Go play the Sims or something...
>RANT UNDERMINDED<

Also, what does the second part of your reply even mean? I think U HAS FAIL TROLL!!!1111

 

[Christian Lerche]

I know right. I hate it when games are NOT JUST LIKE THE REAL WORLD. Chill out, it's a game.

I ***** where I please, and I please where I *****.

Ok, then don't play those games that make you angry. Go play the Sims or something...
>RANT UNDERMINDED<

Also, what does the second part of your reply even mean? I think U HAS FAIL TROLL!!!1111

They don't make me angry. It's the small part of otherwise excellent games that should just have they weapons in a belivable way (wow I repeat myself a lot). Is it too much to demand from a game to make sense in its own world? Like, it makes sense that there are flying cars in "Blade Runner" because its the future, it's the norm. Floating weapons do not make a damn sense in the world they're in, and it's an easy problem to fix.

The second part means, that some have wondered about the same thing and agree with me. Maybe not, but still. I haz a point.

EDIT: If I wanted to troll, I'd speak about something controversial or insulting. This is a very minor problem. Do you see yourself as some sort of police or something? Judging from your profile pic it's hard not to get the thought.

 

[NeutralDrow]

For some reason, whenever I think of drawing a sword that's strapped to your back, I don't think of Link or Dante.

I think of this guy.

 

[Vault101]

It looks unreal, and it should be avoided. When you make a dark fantasy game, or any game for that matter that has visible weapons on the characters, at least make it believable.

but whats the alternitive? magivally pulling them out of this air?

I supose the could add a strap or somthign but really it dosnt make much difference

anyway I liek to see the weopon...its looks cool to actually have the thing there

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I was under the impression it was to stop clipping issues. There's a bunch of unused sword and armour models for Oblivion; unused because the back mounted weapons clipped through hoods and legs. It's easily fixed with a mod so that there's no space between the blade and back and a kind of harness to make it look better.

Still I don't quite understand the magnets thing for Gears of War and Mass Effect... if the magnets are strong enough to keep a friggin long gun attached to X's back whilst going throught he rough and tumble in the field; how do they get it off?

 

[Christian Lerche]

It looks unreal, and it should be avoided. When you make a dark fantasy game, or any game for that matter that has visible weapons on the characters, at least make it believable.

but whats the alternitive? magivally pulling them out of this air?

I supose the could add a strap or somthign but really it dosnt make much difference

anyway I liek to see the weopon...its looks cool to actually have the thing there

Some of the previous replies and myself included, concluded that having sparks or a little light when you equip the weapon, gives the impression that the weapon is secured by a spell. Or a small hook on your back to strab it on, maybe it won't fit, but it's a way of saying: "There is a hook, this is how you sheathe your weapon"

I don't know, worked for Kartos, and Silent Hill 2. It doesn't get in the way if it's not visible, but when it dangles around, that turns on my gears.

 

[Christian Lerche]

I was under the impression it was to stop clipping issues. There's a bunch of unused sword and armour models for Oblivion; unused because the back mounted weapons clipped through hoods and legs. It's easily fixed with a mod so that there's no space between the blade and back and a kind of harness to make it look better.

Still I don't quite understand the magnets thing for Gears of War and Mass Effect... if the magnets are strong enough to keep a friggin long gun attached to X's back whilst going throught he rough and tumble in the field; how do they get it off?

I guess touching the weapon discharges the magnet, or when it unfolded the comes off. Either way, it looked belivable enough for me. I am more worried about the recent plot holes in ME arrival

 

[Wutaiflea]

This is one of my husband's great pet hates- he loves winding up LARPer's who have to stop after every fight while their friends put their full size Buster Sword back in their back scabbard XD
They look cool while you're standing around, but zero practicality- I stick with a good old fashioned belt loop- at least you can sit comfortably in that.

It doesn't bother me so much in games though. I consider it to be an aesthetic design choice (looks cool, looks neat, adds detail to the backs of characters that you'll be staring at for some time), although some of the related animation, and as you say, the "floating" effect could really be tidied up in most games. Shepard's guns don't levitate above her/his back, so why should people's swords?