[General Discussion] Those little touches in games that make you say wow (Or possibly Guild Wars)

I'm playing through Fallout 3 at the moment. Tranquillity Lane did it for me.

Spoiler:

Suddenly, the player's catapulted into a short but sweet set-piece exempt from everything the game's thrown at you so far. The whole world is in sepia, checking third-person reveals that you're suddenly a child, attempting to check your inventory reveals that all that's present on your arm is a childish Vault Boy wristwatch.

Moments which completely upend a game's setting rank pretty highly for me.

How ya doing, buddy?

Okay. What is a set-piece, then? Please explain. I would very much like to know where I have gone wrong in my assumption.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I see. However, it is worth knowing that there are many who do not agree with that notion. At all.

Quote:

In Video Games, "setpiece" refers to an object in any given level that is unique or is not part of the level's default object set. These pieces more often than not have no effect on gameplay, and simply serve the function of building atmosphere. It can also refer to scripted (non-random) events of significance in the game, such as an encounter with a major antagonist.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setpiece

Quote:

In video games, a set piece is a specific, often one-time gameplay mechanic that is choreographed by game designers to solve or address a particular in-game situation.

- http://answers.com/topic/set-piece

Quote:

The setpiece stands out from other Scripted Events in such games in that it is a one-time deal. If it happens frequently then it's a standard Scripted Event. Additionally, it has to be an integral part of the gameplay rather than a hands-off Cut Scene.

- http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...eogameSetpiece

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by RAZGRIZ-4

As much as I'd like to dig online descriptions usually written up by folks who use the term incorrectly, the last actual GAME DESIGNER I talked to begged to differ. Now am I gonna trust a guy who went to school for the shit, or the internet and the equivalent of Encyclopedia Dramatica.

Why yes you are correct that is a very good justification. It would clearly make sense to stop using 'camera', too, as that refers to something completely different in an entirely separate industry.

One word can have completely different connotations in two different contexts.

Quote:

Games are not art.

I agree with this. However, I don't believe I argued that this was the case.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I would far rather stick to my erroneous opinion, as it is an issue rooted wholly in language and not at all in logic, and I am not entirely sure what benefits I would receive as a result of changing it (aside from confusion wrought by self-righteousness).

Perhaps this thread can return to its intended topic now. Thank you for your tactful clarification on this pressing matter.

How ya doing, buddy?

That's nice.

Lay off with the ad hominem though, buddy. That's not very nice!

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