Game:

Deep Rock Galactic (2020)

Duration: 13:31

1,835 views

116

In this video we analyse the difference between two upgrades in different games, trying to narrow down what makes upgrades feel fun and engaging to use.

#DeepRockGalactic #Darktide #GameDesign

Static maps versus procedurally generated ones video: https://youtu.be/U2S_2oOlliQ

FAQ/Corrections:

Q1) At the end of the day the upgrade with the most DPS will be picked, nothing else matters.

A1) I tend to agree with this statement and it’s something I do in games. But it still stands that the more interesting choices and paths to get to that high DPS the better the game will likely be. Also, with more interesting upgrades it may well be that the highest DPS might not be the best option if the upgrades are designed well, complementing the game mechanics.

Q2) Why did you pick precognition and not something else in Darktide?

A2) As I said in the video, it really highlighted an extreme example to compare and contrast to. But there are quite a few upgrades in Darktide that could have still worked because minor stat/dmg boosts work with what I talk about in this video.

Q3) Darktide had some major changes around the same time this video went up and likely will have more in the coming weeks, do you think this video is still valid?

A3) Yes for sure I think the video is still valid! Whatever the future looks like for Darktide and I hope it is a good one. You can’t ignore the lacklustre upgrades it launched with. And this video is talking generally about upgrades across all games, I just use Deep Rock Galactic and Darktide as I have recently put a lot of hours into them and have footage. I think my checklist is valid across most game upgrades. P.S. I actually put Precognition on one of my weapons and use it now because it does impact my gameplay in a noticeable way.

Q4) Cool looking and exotic upgrades are often actually trash compared to good stat boosts, I think games will be worse off with more exotic upgrades.

A4) This is a valid concern and one I should have addressed in the video most likely. I do try emphasise that it’s upgrade that impact gameplay, and I am implying they impact it in a positive way not a negative one. Impact on gameplay can be stat/DMG boosts as I mention in the video, the main point is impacting gameplay in a fun and engaging way. Some people, myself included can find flat damage boosts and crit chance engaging and fun because we can feel that power, other people might not.

LINKS:

GAMING EXISTENCE DISCORD SERVER - https://discord.gg/EB6AVGQCFD

LEVEL DESIGN LOBBY PODCAST - It starts off quite slow, but these are few early episodes that are standout ones to get you started: Episode 7; 9; 11; 15; 18; 20 - https://leveldesignlobby.libsyn.com/

GAME DEV UNCHAINED PODCAST – So many great podcasts that will help you understand the industry massively - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/game-dev-unchained/id1043547750

FRIENDS PER SECOND PODCAST – This one is a bit more fun and entertaining and they have great interviews with a mix of gaming industry experts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/friends-per-second/id1629844110

0:00 Intro
0:25 Precognition example
1:15 Breachcutter example
1:46 Why games have upgrades
2:37 Breachcutter engagement analysis
3:45 Precognition engagement analysis
6:07 Player issues with bad upgrades
6:42 Primary upgrades versus minor ones
8:58 What makes an upgrade bad?
10:11 How do upgrades impact game design?
11:22 Can less be more?

Thumbnail attribution glitch text - https://graphicriver.net/user/state7/portfolio

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