Animation Lock: Why don't you like it?

[Alhanelem]

But Final Fantasy is a series built on Aesthetics. It's what draws players into the franchise and keeps them coming back.

I'm sorry but this is a load of crap. Final Fantasy is a series based on good storylines- Not aesthetics. And regardless of what you think the series is "based on", there is no good reason to compromise gameplay for the sake of asthetics. I'm playing the game because it's a fun game, not just because it's pretty to look at.

Did anyone like Final Fantasy 1/2/3 because of good graphics? No. The graphics were pretty lame even for the NES days. It wasn't until the more recent games that good graphics even came into the picture. To argue that the series as a whole was based on that as a principle is ridiculous.

Seriously, you people arguing aesthetics. Do you really play FF games just because they have good graphics?

[SkyeWindbinder]

I'm sorry but this is a load of crap. Final Fantasy is a series based on good storylines- Not aesthetics. And regardless of what you think the series is "based on", there is no good reason to compromise gameplay for the sake of asthetics. I'm playing the game because it's a fun game, not just because it's pretty to look at.

Did anyone like Final Fantasy 1/2/3 because of good graphics? No. The graphics were pretty lame even for the NES days. It wasn't until the more recent games that good graphics even came into the picture. To argue that the series as a whole was based on that as a principle is ridiculous.

Seriously, you people arguing aesthetics. Do you really play FF games just because they have good graphics?

But, as was said before, a good storyline does add to the aesthetics of a Final Fantasy game. And, whether you'd like to believe it or not, or regardless of why "you" play Final Fantasy games, the series puts a huge emphasis on looks and story, you know, the aesthetics of the world. Yes, people have different reasons for playing games, but the Final Fantasy games are primarily build for people who want to be drawn into a detailed world with a deep and meaningful storyline.

Yes, gameplay plays a very important role in how a game does. But really, do you think the majority of people who are anticipating a new Final Fantasy game are saying "Geez, I hope I don't have to use so-and-so buttons to fight, or "I hope I can use so-and-so buttons to summon my monsters"? LOL Come on, let's get real here. Fans hear somehting about the new Final Fantasy, here's th details they're asking for...

"How does it look? Pics, please!"
"What's the story?"
"What summons will be available?"
"Can we see city designs?"
"Can we see character designs?"

You know, questions that revolve around the aesthetics of the game.

[Shurrikhan]

LOL Come on, let's get real here. Fans hear something about the new Final Fantasy, here's the details they're asking for...

"How does it look? Pics, please!"
"What's the story?"
"What summons will be available?"
"Can we see city designs?"
"Can we see character designs?"

You know, questions that revolve around the aesthetics of the game.

A lot of that has to do with the simple fact that you can't put a full storyboard on a platter to feed to the fans. For many, that's precisely because it's the meat of the meal meant to be enjoyed later.

Note that you still had "What's the story?" on that list. While I agree that the as a concept is hugely intertwined with the aesthetics of the game (just as camera work or scene display is with the storytelling), it is also... well... story. And as long as the rest are good (good is enough), that'll be the hook that gets me.

[SkyeWindbinder]

A lot of that has to do with the simple fact that you can't put a full storyboard on a platter to feed to the fans. For many, that's precisely because it's the meat of the meal meant to be enjoyed later.

Note that you still had "What's the story?" on that list. While I agree that the as a concept is hugely intertwined with the aesthetics of the game (just as camera work or scene display is with the storytelling), it is also... well... story. And as long as the rest are good (good is enough), that'll be the hook that gets me.

I don't know. I think it has more to do with the fast that what pleases Final Fantasy fans most are the story and graphics aspects of the game. I mean, that's what people who create FF games focus on tweaking the most. Because those are the aspects of the game that it's usually built around and for. A huge emphasis is put on gameplay and story. That's what fans of the series clamor for. Not how the game controls. As long as it's at least controllable, awesome. Final Fantasy is graded on mostly aesthetics.

[Shurrikhan]

I don't know. I think it has more to do with the fast that what pleases Final Fantasy fans most are the story and graphics aspects of the game. I mean, that's what people who create FF games focus on tweaking the most. Because those are the aspects of the game that it's usually built around and for. A huge emphasis is put on gameplay and story. That's what fans of the series clamor for. Not how the game controls. As long as it's at least controllable, awesome. Final Fantasy is graded on mostly aesthetics.

I agree with that. I was simply saying that story is as high an expectation, even if not as ostensible a part of the hype for a not yet released game, as aesthetics.

[Alhanelem]

It was noted earlier that aesthetics and gameplay are not mutually exclusive, this is most certainly true.

No, they're not mutually exclusive, but having one most definitely does not mean having the other.

An RPG or MMO (especially Final Fantasy) is on the other end of the spectrum. Aesthetics are a primary engagement tool, and that aesthetic is based on 'Realism' (*see definition above).

err, actually, no, it's not on the other end of the spectrum. Final FANTASY is a FANTASY game. Fantasy meaning stuff that's not real. Magic isn't real. A lot of the things many of the characters do in many of the games is not physically realistic. I think you may be confusing 'realistic" with "natural"- something that looks like it belongs and doesn't feel out of place.

When animation blending is implemented, you will most likely not notice the lack of animation lock. Animations will be blended, such that there isn't a sudden instant change in character's positions when they initiate different actions. Blending creates a smooth transition automatically, without needing special transition animations that lock your character in place (which is what 1.0 had).

In a Final Fantasy game, the 'Realism'(*again, see definition above) always comes first.

False. Many final fantasy games have good gameplay. Good aesthetics come with that gameplay, but that doesn't mean the aesthetics came first.

The TL;DR if your post is: in Fnal fantasy, graphics are everything and gameplay is not important. Even if I agreed, which I don't, this isn't a standard final fantasy game. It's an MMORPG, and gameplay is inherently more important to an MMORPG than a singleplayer one. In a single player RPG, the gameplay is sometimes more shallow because it is only a vehicle to drive the story (and by extension, the aesthetics). However, in an MMORPG, the main story is just the beginning.

Without strong gameplay mechanics, this game will fall flat on its face just like the first one, no matter how pretty the grpahics are or how good the story is.

Soo, once again- In this thread: Gameplay doesn't matter as long as it is pleasing to the eye and the story is good. Everything else is secondary! Read that again. Are you sure that really sounds like a good idea?

[Zantetsuken]

. I think you may be confusing 'realistic" with "natural"- something that looks like it belongs and doesn't feel out of place.

I see that even three references to my definition of 'Realism' weren't enough.

When animation blending is implemented, you will most likely not notice the lack of animation lock. Animations will be blended, such that there isn't a sudden instant change in character's positions when they initiate different actions. Blending creates a smooth transition automatically, without needing special transition animations that lock your character in place.

So what happens to a player who tries to walk away just 2 hits into Chaos-thrust? Do they forgo the rest of the hits or just flail about in midair?

Blending doesn't solve that issue. Either the remainder of the WS animation is cancelled, or the player runs around stabbing at the air while magically hitting the target behind them.

In order to maintain 'Realism' (*see definition above), either multi-hit weapon skills need to go, or animation lock needs to stay in some form.