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Re: Sandbox mode?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:10 am
by i00
I love how everyone thinks that what i am suggesting will cripple their experience, like i said "an option".

Also games theme park was the first game to use the term "sandbox mode" and it was a dummed down version of the game made researching (and some other things) function differently and appeal for more "casual gamers".

People also have said things here that "this game is not for me", but they also compare this game to games that are not like grimrock @ all! - I have pored more hours into stonekeep than any other game in my life, and this game is more similar to that than ANY OTHER GAME, and i challenge anyone to come up with a closer comparison.

Kris

Re: Sandbox mode?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:26 am
by Loktofeit
I think you confused ADnD with IDDQD. :)

I've got nothing against what you are requesting, and I am quite sure someone will create such a mod, but I'm curious why you consider that sandbox mode. What is the creative or emergent gameplay that you feel such changes would facilitate?

Re: Sandbox mode?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:04 am
by seebs
killington wrote:
resonansER wrote:If you want sandbox ---------------> Fall Effect 3, Dragon Bitch 2, Anno 2070, Settlers 7 & etc.
Don't deform MASTERPIECE!!!
I'm pretty sure you dont know what sandbox means if ME3, DA2 are suggestions.
Actually, he's just being archaic. Back in the day, a lot of games had a stressors-removed mode which they called "sandbox" mode because it was the mode for just playing with the game. It's gradually gotten extended to cover more free-form open world games where you can just go do whatever you want, and some people now only know it in that sense.

But "sandbox mode" for "no consequences, just playing around" is a perfectly legitimate usage.

Re: Sandbox mode?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:33 am
by Loktofeit
seebs wrote:
killington wrote:
resonansER wrote:If you want sandbox ---------------> Fall Effect 3, Dragon Bitch 2, Anno 2070, Settlers 7 & etc.
Don't deform MASTERPIECE!!!
I'm pretty sure you dont know what sandbox means if ME3, DA2 are suggestions.
Actually, he's just being archaic. Back in the day, a lot of games had a stressors-removed mode which they called "sandbox" mode because it was the mode for just playing with the game. It's gradually gotten extended to cover more free-form open world games where you can just go do whatever you want, and some people now only know it in that sense.

But "sandbox mode" for "no consequences, just playing around" is a perfectly legitimate usage.
Really, the term referred to the removal of barriers and rulesets to allow for more creative gameplay. Simply removing structure from a game doesn't make it a sandbox, which is why I was curious what change in gameplay he expected other than an easier game. To use the OP's example, Sim Theme Park, Sandbox Mode changed the game from a Simulation game to a Construction game. It allowed players to build within the game world without the restriction of purchases and maintenance. A more modern example of that would be Minecraft, where the crafting, collecting and creeps are removed in Creative Mode, and full access to infinite items is added.

Removing the obstacles and restrictions in a game doesn't necessarily make it a sandbox - often it just makes it an easier or empty game. I'm not saying that's always a bad thing, btw. :)

What creative gameplay is introduced with the changes presented by the OP? That's a genuine question. I'm interested in what creative or emergent gameplay such changes would allow.

Re: Sandbox mode?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:40 am
by seebs
Probably not much, but the sense of "just playing around without risks" is a legit usage. I agree that it might sort of undermine the design of this game. From my point of view, a real sandbox mode would be the modding tools...

Re: Sandbox mode?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:42 am
by Loktofeit
seebs wrote:Probably not much, but the sense of "just playing around without risks" is a legit usage. I agree that it might sort of undermine the design of this game. From my point of view, a real sandbox mode would be the modding tools...
I'm rather looking forward to different directions players take with their mods. I completely expect some rich story driven mods as well as people creating entirely new games within the game itself.