Disposable guns: Mirror's Edge producer talks about the game's development |
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Mirror's Edge (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) is easily one of the freshest and most unique FPS games available today. The freedom of movement and the sense of immersion is top notch (some might say too top notch. Point of advice: don't eat right before playing this game). Like it or hate it, everyone has to admit this game is definitely a change of pace from the usual fare of FPS gun-porn.
So how did DICE manage to so successfully set their game apart from the competition? Mirror's Edge producer Tom Farrer guides us through the process during a recent interview with MTV Multiplayer.
I'm sure most who have played the game noticed that the level of gunplay we normally associate with traditional FPS games was somewhat lacking. Some might even call it lackluster. Apparently, this was a deliberate decision that contributed to the scope and feel of ME.
"We like the idea of making a game where it felt good to throw the gun away," said Farrer on the subject.
In fact, Farrer mentioned they even talked about leaving guns out of the game altogether but ultimately decided that doing so would hurt the level of action. The original Faith was supposed to sport a trusty hand gun and assorted other gadgets to help her along her rooftop romps but these were removed in favor of streamlining her for the demands of parkour.
The core of the game revolves around movement, after all. Not shooting. The goal was to put players directly in the place of the protagonist; to give them a feel of the actual movement.
To this end Farrer explained that they opted to discard traditional FPS systems, which have players sort of float across the ground, and used one where the character's head turns first, then the upper body, then finally, the lower one.
Of course, some concessions were made to achieve "realism" by adding unrealistic elements. There were plans to cut the appearance of Faith's limbs on the game screen since camera tests with live actors showed that a person in motion rarely sees their own appendages.
However, Farrer explained that people have something of an expectation to see limbs during dynamic movement. "You’re trying to create the impression of how you, as a player, feel it ought to feel, if you see what I mean,” he said.
Currently on DICE's plate is the Mirror's Edge downloadable content that's already been announced. Although Farrer couldn't say precisely what we'll be getting, he hinted that it won't be what people are expecting... which, I suppose, is to be expected of the team that brought us a game like Mirror's Edge.
Related Mirror's Edge Articles:
- Sony loses its edge: Mirror's Edge DLC not exclusive after all
- Have some Faith: PS3-exclusive Mirror's Edge DLC coming sooner than you think
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Comments [refresh]
Hey DICE, great concept, great design, great visuals.
Next time.. Customizable controls! You left the good half of the controller unmapped anyway...
WTF is this L1/L2 crap?
It's not just me. Something about those controls just weren't right. However, after a little while they did grow on me, once I had retrained my brain.
My problem is that once I learned you didn't have to hit "Grab" to grab onto stuff, that it became rediculously easy. In fact, it really doesn't even feel like your playing a game. It's like your observing a cutscene where you have to hit L1 or L2 at the right time.
But yes, rediculously beautiful and amazing ideas, both of which just make the game seem terrific on paper. Still, I look at Fallout 3, or Oblivion or even Super Mario World and I think, is Mirrors Edge giving me the bang for my buck? 6 hours? Meh, I should have bought it used at $30 or rented it.
that's why i bought mirror's edge.
i'm so tired of the same old games on first-person. seriously? counter-strike and half-life are just wolfenstein 3d/Spear of destiny with better graphics and physics.
and gears of war/resistance is just half-life/counter-strike with upgraded graphics and physics.
and i had no problems with the controls whatsoever. fallout 3 for the ps3 is ridiculously inferior to the other versions.
Resistance has no similarities with Half-Life whatsoever. Neither does Gears of War. I guess since both Counter-Strike and Gears have it where when you die, you gotta wait for the next round to respawn, obviously means they're the same game. Get your head out of your ass.
And yes, Mirrors Edge is pretty epic. I don't mind the short length. I also dont see how you guys can be baffled by the controls of it. So painfully simple. I play almost exclusively nothing but FPS, and the ifrst time i played the demo it felt natural.