Skylight Atoma
The Phoenix Federation
Dark Taboo
10
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Posted - 2014.06.20 07:51:00 -
[1] - Quote
Nice flashy graphics are nice, but be careful not to overdo crazy effects and lighting to the point where you can hardly see what's happening nearby (Mass Effect 3, i'm looking at you.)
One thing that is very important to graphics and atmosphere is the sound and music. Sound is very often overlooked or thought of as secondary, but the sound and music need to match the emotions the graphics give off and visa versa. The Starmap is one of the better examples of this integration.
As far as graphics goes:
-Perhaps most importantly environments that make sense
-the star map should be sleek, smooth, and pleasing to browse through
-orbital strikes should invoke more fear and awe. How DUST OBs are now is a great template (namely the sound), just make them more menacing
-Constantly firing a weapon should give more feedback about how hot the weapon is at that moment. More vapor, maybe a blur effect, ect. Perhaps on all weapons, but especially weapons that have heat as a mechanic.
-Gore and mutilation would be useful tools to give DUST a more gritty feel, but don't overdo it. I don't want ultraviolence, but I don't expect a body to still be in tact after a shot to the face from a 150mm railgun
^Different weapons should leave relatively unique traces on the victim's corpse. Nothing amazingly detailed or precise, but something that is distinguishable. Scorch marks from plasma weapons, holes from assault/combat rifles and shotguns, red streaks and holes from laser weapons that give the impression of the armor melting, ect. This could add a neat gameplay element of stumbling on a teammate's corpse and determining the weapon used so you can prepare specifically for that encounter in the area.
-Installation maps can have different lightings for different rooms
-This one is personal preference, but having a subtle aura of fear and horror everywhere would be really neat. I don't mean jump scares, but having things here and there that give off a feeling of unease would make this game stand out quite a bit. Gritty is great and all, but also remember that, in the lore, many mercenaries hear voices or see horrific visions when they die, they have implants that we don't understand the full implications of. Perhaps a small % of the times you die you see a subtle vision overlaps on the screen or hear whispers or something, even things as simple as how drones move around and behave. Little things like that scattered throughout the gameplay experience can go a long way to create atmosphere. |