Topic: why don't you like 3D ?

Last time, I made a topic about which genre you prefer for my next DSi-Ware game.
Most people said 2D platform with a twist (puzzle aspect).

I'm currently working on some new prototypes for a DSi-Ware game. One of them is a 2D platform game with some innovating stuff.

The other one is a 3D FPS game, with graphics on par with Doom 3 (everything is bumpmapped and stuff). The gameplay is focussed more on shooting and the movement is more like oldskool FPS games (like wolf3D and Doom). It has alot of funny weapons and stuff.

Anyway, I was wondering if you guys just really don't like FPS games, or if it's more because of the complicated control system ?

I like 3D and FPS, just not overly keen on the blast everything that moves kind, Doom I quite liked but much prefer Deus Ex and Golden Eye type FPS, mission based with objectives rather than too focused on simply blasting, Turok had tons of weapons and was mostly shoot to kill, and I just found that boring, that type of game seems to have its fans, but its not for me.

I like both.

This is my opinion, but I like 2D over 3D mainly because I grew up with 2D. Bad thing for making a game in 2D is that I've heard it takes more time to make 2D games. 3D on a system like the DS tends to show the horsepower or lack thereof of the system. I have FPSs on the DS and they run good, meaning framerate(Renegade Kid games, Dementium, Moon run at high fps), but don't necessarily look phenomenal. The potential of having a great looking 2D game, especially if sprites are drawn with lots of frames for animation, good resolution, stage layouts and movement/mechanics is a large time investment, but with the right amount of effort can be great, in some cases you can have a shot at game of the year for DS. 3D games tend to be forgotten after the next 3D game comes out. Just look around, how many people are anxiously waiting for Shantae, how many people waited forever for Cave Story, both 2D. NSMBW, its 3D in 2D plane. 2D is the way to go. End of my opinion.

Wow, that took a lot longer to write than I thought it did. I agree with the above statement that there is currently no FPS on the DSi. There are also other games that I could imagine you using your current base engine from Flipper to make if you decide to go the 3D route from apps to other game concepts.

For me, it partially depends on the controls. I personally HATE dual-analog controls, but a mouse and keyboard make me feel right at home. As for the DS stylus & Wiimote, they're way better then dual-analog, but not quite as good as a mouse and keyboard. Also, the DS stylus beats out the Wiimote by a good bit. However, if I were to ignore that controls and focus on if I like the genre in general, it depends as well. I personally find that something Halo-ish looses my interest pretty quickly. I'd rather have something that's more over-the-top and admits that it's a video game instead of some "Great Piece of Interactive Software". I'd recommend something that's James-Bond-y in the sense that it knows that it's not realistic but it tries to set itself in a somewhat realistic world. In shorter words; try to set slight fantasy-ish elements into a realistic world, but don't go over-the-top with either the fantasy or the real world elements.

EDIT: I'm talking about the FPS question.

Ooo, both of those ideas sound great. The only genre I prefer in 2D is platformers but the 3D platformers can be awesome too so I don't really mind.

The FPS would probably stand a lot more on DSiware but would also require more work and might not be as popular, if it runs good I'd get it though!

Hugo, if you can make a FPS for DSiWare that doesn't use either shoulder button and stands out from X-Scape, consider me sold. Otherwise, make the 2D game. I like those better.

Sykotek - Did you forget about Thorium Wars? I'm pretty sure that's a FPS on DSiWare.

I love FPS titles, but I hate playing them on the DS if the stylus is involved. It's just way too awkward. That being said, old school Doom type FPS titles probably are the best bet for the system.

@Birdman13: I thought Thorium Wars was a vehicle shooter ala StarFox. I didn't buy it, so I dunno, it was super expensive when it came out wasn't it? I think I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra points.

In 2D puzzle/platform/adventures I like the themes and power-up placement of games such as Mega Man 3/10/X, Super Mario Bros. 1, Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Metroid 1, etc.

FPSs where you're shooting a lot of enemies I think caters to gamers who enjoy sniping games. Personally I would prefer more arena based combat (e.g. locked in a room where you have to kill 10 enemies, then advance to next room.) Overall for an FPS I'd suggest the rooms with a 1-minute time limit, some 10-second power ups such as invincibility/invisibility, some spells, and the amount of enemies you defeat determines how hard the next room is, at the end you get a high score. Haven't heard complaints about controls, but my shoulder buttons are also damaged so if they're mandatory such as shooting then I pass.

Perhaps for a FPS you could make something like Punch-Out or Rage of the Galdiator with guns. That would be cool on DSiWare.

the focus of the FPS game is on the weapons and the 'fun of using them'. I love the 90s shooters such as Redneck Rampage, Blood and Duke Nukem. Those games had very innovating weapons. These days all games have the same arsnal; knife, handgun, shotgun, machinegun, bazooka.

It's not fun anymore. So the game will feature some really cool new ideas for weapons.

Besides that (And for people who didn't know what I mean with oldskool controls) it will features simple controls :
D-pad moving (R-L maybe strafing), and the B button for firing. No need to aim up or down, or to jump or crouch.
This makes it easy to play and put the focus back where it should be; firing your weapons!

How can a DSiware game use bump mapping akin to Doom 3? DSiware tech is way lower than that of an XBOX.

@HugoSmits
I recall John Carmack wanting to make an FPS with those controls for DS a while back, LOL!

@HugoSmits: If you are going the FPS route, most people fear that their shoulder buttons will go out or have already gone out(I had to get mine fixed), if you can make a game that doesn't use the shoulders, that'd probably be for the best. Maybe something like...

Up-Forward
Down-Back
Left&Right-Turn
Y&A-Strafe
B-Fire
X-Switch Weapon

Oh wow, that'd be crazy.

You also have to consider the price and which would work out best for you though Hugo, a 2D platformer could be either 500 or 800 points whilst your FPS idea would pretty much guaranteed to be 800 points.

That sounds pretty good, after all the original Wolfenstein 3D used sprites and worked quite well without look up/down; Faceball 2000 did the same kind of thing on the Gameboy to great effect.

I prefer rendered/sprite-based graphics for 3D in this context just because you tend to lose detail with polygons and even with current-gen systems I find the 3D is often wasted on environment; lacking the art you see in a quality 2D game like Muramasa. You can still have great designs, but it just lacks "soul" for want of a better word - though when I see a 3D game like Red Steel 2 that's trying to do its own thing without worrying about "realism" I think that's when 3D works best.

Whatever you do, try to hook up with a Japanese publisher (Marvelous Entertainment seems to be interested in bringing stuff from the West to Japan recently) so those of us with import DSis can enjoy the fruits of your labour!

When do you think these games will be released?

Sounds awesome!!!!!! I like your idea on the weapons and the controls. Any chances of adding Wi-Fi Multiplayer to it?