Does anyone else think that the clickety-clicking and the electronic bleeping of the interface are better suited for a space or future tech game? When I watch the videos that showcase in-game sound, I like the sounds of combat and the sounds of the crowds in Divinity's Reach. The landscape vistas are stunning and you really get the feeling of urgency when you enter a town and don't see stationary people with punctuation above their heads but instead see villagers fighting for their lives. That is a nice touch that looks to add to the immersion factor: "I'm really a part of this world, and I'm a hero." But when you click to talk to an NPC, you get this counter-immersive beeping when you click on conversation options that reminds you that you are, after all, just playing a virtual character on your computer.
Edited, Dec 9th 2010 8:09am by Isilde
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Scholar
32 posts
To be honest I hadn't actually noticed until you mentioned it. Which I suppose is an indication that they don't bother me. However, I'll have to go back and watch some videos and pay more attention to see what I think.
Oh drat, not another excuse to watch more GW2 videos. Whatever shall I do? :)
Oh drat, not another excuse to watch more GW2 videos. Whatever shall I do? :)
Scholar
34 posts
I'm with Brise. When I played Guild Wars 2, I was never bothered by anything like that. If they bother you, I'm sure there will be a way to turn them off in the options menu or something.
Edited, Dec 9th 2010 10:35pm by NeoNugget
Edited, Dec 9th 2010 10:35pm by NeoNugget
3 posts
From watching the videos I didn't notice it either, guess it isn't that bad, but as Neo said, you'll most likely be able to shut them off.
Scholar
45 posts
I only noticed it when watching that long video from www.wartower.de that includes in-game sound. It probably is a different feel when you're actually playing the game. I guess I am just weird, cause the sounds just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the package. But, as ya'll have noted, I'll probably be able to turn them down or off.
Edited, Dec 10th 2010 8:15am by Isilde
Edited, Dec 10th 2010 8:15am by Isilde
Scholar
32 posts
Nah I think you have a couple really good points, Isilde.
Firstly it is probably very different when you play, because the effects are actually important - they're conveying information to you. So I think it's pretty common when watching someone else play to be much more aware of the SFX as being obtrusive.
Speaking of the importance of good aural UI feedback, I'm always amazed how much WoW's subtle UI sounds add to that game - just pressing buttons feels right, because the sounds, visual ques, and your inputs are all so fluid and harmonious. I could do little more than sit in WoW and just mash keys, and it would still feel good - even if my character was feared or stunned or what have you.
In short, the UI feedback sounds add a tactile feeling to the game, and give it a sense of heft and solidity. Unfortunately if your fingers aren't doing anything, and you're just watching someone else play, even the best SFX can feel out of place. Furthermore, if they're just bloops and beeps it feels very digital and computer-y. Whereas, for example, WoW's UI SFX tend to sound like stone grating on stone, or metal sliding around, from what I recall.
Which leads into the second point you raise, which is a more subjective one: Some people really want those UI SFX to feel like they're part of the setting of the game. Others don't particularly care, or want the feedback to feel like they're on a computer, since they like the fact that they're on a computer playing a game. I'm in the latter group, as I'm less interested in total immersion, and perfectly happy to be made aware that I'm playing a game about a fantasy setting, rather than pretending I'm actually in one.
I think part of what's going on is that, if I can hazard a guess, you'd prefer any SFX feedback from the UI to feel like objects and tools from the GW2 setting were making the noises, whereas I, for example, just don't mind bloops and beeps, so they don't stick out to me.
Of course, I could be wrong. Either way it's a very interesting topic to think about from sort of a metagame/game design perspective.
Edited, Dec 10th 2010 11:20am by BriseBonBons
Firstly it is probably very different when you play, because the effects are actually important - they're conveying information to you. So I think it's pretty common when watching someone else play to be much more aware of the SFX as being obtrusive.
Speaking of the importance of good aural UI feedback, I'm always amazed how much WoW's subtle UI sounds add to that game - just pressing buttons feels right, because the sounds, visual ques, and your inputs are all so fluid and harmonious. I could do little more than sit in WoW and just mash keys, and it would still feel good - even if my character was feared or stunned or what have you.
In short, the UI feedback sounds add a tactile feeling to the game, and give it a sense of heft and solidity. Unfortunately if your fingers aren't doing anything, and you're just watching someone else play, even the best SFX can feel out of place. Furthermore, if they're just bloops and beeps it feels very digital and computer-y. Whereas, for example, WoW's UI SFX tend to sound like stone grating on stone, or metal sliding around, from what I recall.
Which leads into the second point you raise, which is a more subjective one: Some people really want those UI SFX to feel like they're part of the setting of the game. Others don't particularly care, or want the feedback to feel like they're on a computer, since they like the fact that they're on a computer playing a game. I'm in the latter group, as I'm less interested in total immersion, and perfectly happy to be made aware that I'm playing a game about a fantasy setting, rather than pretending I'm actually in one.
I think part of what's going on is that, if I can hazard a guess, you'd prefer any SFX feedback from the UI to feel like objects and tools from the GW2 setting were making the noises, whereas I, for example, just don't mind bloops and beeps, so they don't stick out to me.
Of course, I could be wrong. Either way it's a very interesting topic to think about from sort of a metagame/game design perspective.
Edited, Dec 10th 2010 11:20am by BriseBonBons
Scholar
45 posts
Yeah, Brise, I think you're right. I'm more of a fan of immersion and escapism, so I don't want to feel like I'm playing a computer game. And, of course a game sounds and feels and looks different when you're playing instead of watching. So, I can't wait to get my hands on the game to see for myself if I like the UI sfx, among other things. So much of what I've heard the developers say and seen in trailers and demos looks wonderful.
Good point about WoW - their UI responses are spot on, in my opinion. One thing they did right!
Edited, Dec 10th 2010 11:29am by Isilde
Good point about WoW - their UI responses are spot on, in my opinion. One thing they did right!
Edited, Dec 10th 2010 11:29am by Isilde
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