What exactly is streamlining?

[Sammisaurus]

I've heard this term used A LOT lately, mainly concerning Skyrim, and always in a negative sense. I tried looking it up but it only gave me the definition associated with cars. Can someone please explain what this means for a game and why it is hated so much?

 

[GrimSheeper]

It's removing parts of the game for the sake of making it more accessible, easier to get into. Like merging some stats into a single one, removing certain skills or armor options.

I'm reluctant to call Tiberium Twilight a streamlining effort of Command and Conquer, but that was more of a butchering. Deus Ex Invisible War was streamlined in the sense that ammo types were replaced by a single, nanite ammo type, augmentations were simplefied and weapon modification almost removed. That's probably why so many gamers don't want streamlining, usually it's not a good idea.

 

[bob1052]

Removing extraneous and unnecessary and mostly annoying aspects in favor of a more effective and more simple version.

The obvious example relating to Skyrim is that the Oblivion skill system was god awful. No one can say they ended up with a good character on their first play through state-wise and constellation-wise.

The reason it is so hated is because it is so close to simply dumbing the game down, removing core components. See: Dragon Age 2.

 

[FalloutJack]

I've heard this term used A LOT lately, mainly concerning Skyrim, and always in a negative sense. I tried looking it up but it only gave me the definition associated with cars. Can someone please explain what this means for a game and why it is hated so much?

Streamlining is suppose to be a term that says something is made better in operation, swifter, improved. People using it as a negative term are using it improperly.

 

[Daaaah Whoosh]

Streamlining is making things easier and faster. But like with technology, streamlining isn't always a good thing. Workers get replaced by robots, just like how in games, your own actions become limited. People like freedom, not ease of use.

 

[AlternatePFG]

Mostly taking features of a game simplifying them to a simpler or basic form.

The jump between Mass Effect 1 and 2 is an example, the removal of the inventory and the extreme simplification of the skills would be an example of streamlining. Whether that was good or bad streamlining is up to your opinion.

I personally don't like streamlining at all, sequels should add more, not remove it. If it didn't work in the first game, fix it, don't take the easy way out and get rid of it.

 

[Phlakes]

Well, this thread is basically over. If you need an example, look at the controversial armor debate for Skyrim. They streamlined the greaves and body piece into one single piece of armor in the inventory.