RYAN GARCIA ››
ASSIGNMENT TWO | SEPT 11, 2006 ››
Download a free trial version of the following game:
Age of Empires III (http://www.ageofempires3.com/)
following questions:
- What is the genre and "high concept" of the game?
- In what way does the game design consider "player empathy"?
- Explain the types of "feedback" that are provided during game play.
- In what sense is the player "grounded" by the game interaction?
- List and explain at least 3 options that a player has on a moment-to-moment basis.
- What aspects of game play seemed tedious or unnecessary?
- What features of the game helped you feel immersed enough that you were compelled to continue playing?
- What aspects of the game were enjoyable?
- What aspects of the game are educational?
- How would you improve the game design?
- What type of person would buy this game?
AGE OF EMPIRES GAME REVIEW ››
- What is the genre and "high concept" of the game?
Age of Empires 3 (AOE3) is a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game. The game's high concept is described as "an epic real-time strategy game spanning 10,000 years, in which players are the guiding spirit in the evolution of small stone age tribes. Starting with minimal resources, players are challenged to build their tribes into great civilizations."
source: http://www.microsoft.com/games/empires/
- In what way does the game design consider "player empathy"?
By making choices in the game as clear as possible so the player is not left having to guess his next move and get frustrated with the game. For example, AOE3 has a set of options that remain the same throughout the game, like hunting, mining, training and so forth. If enemies show up then the clear choice is to fight.
- Explain the types of "feedback" that are provided during game play.
AOE3 provides "feedback" in a variety of ways: a) Visually, through the use of icons that change depending on what the object the cursor is hovering over, the "objectives" button which, when pressed, displays the current objective on its respective display window and by character actions and movements like fighting, mining or hunting. b) As well as auditory confirmation, for example, a sound unique to the completion of a task or if an enemy arrives.
- In what sense is the player "grounded" by the game interaction?
The player remains grounded because there is always a goal or task to achieve. As the class textbook explains "At any given point, [the player] should have a long-term goal, a medium-range goal, and an immediate goal" (Bates, 2004, p.18). In AOE3 the obvious long-term goal is to have your empire or tribe grow and develop (to eventually rule), a medium-range goal to set up a colony, while a short-term goal to kill a deer for food.
Reference:
Bates, B. (2004). Game Design (2nd ed.). Boston: Thompson.
- List and explain at least 3 options that a player has on a moment-to-moment basis.
A player has many options on a moment-to-moment basis, like exploring, training, hunting, gathering and building to name a few.
- What aspects of game play seemed tedious or unnecessary?
AOE3 is a very well executed game and for the most part nothing seemed unnecessary, however strategy games are tedious in general because of my lack of patience. I am more at home with an "adventure" game in which the player doesn't have to accumulate and build his own resources.
- What features of the game helped you feel immersed enough that you were compelled to continue playing?
The most compelling part are the graphics, which kept me interested in the landscape and scenery. The costumes of the different armies, the architecture of each city and period were incredible and the accuracy of the ships and weapons really helped in building a believable period in time, almost like reliving history.
- What aspects of the game were enjoyable?
The graphics and game play were very enjoyable. Having no previous experience with "Real Time Strategy" games, I was pleasantly surprised.
- What aspects of the game are educational?
Even though history is modified in the game according to how it is played, AOE3 pays close attention to historical detail and it is educational in many other respects. It's a strategy game, which means a player must develop and understand how to run and expand an empire which is no small task. To do so the player is taught economics and to use resources in the best interest of the empire.
- How would you improve the game design?
By having the voice overs be accurate to the country or tribe being represented. At the very least, English language with accents (I only played the trial and it seemed that the Brittish had an American accent).
- What type of person would buy this game?
Someone who is interested in history, strategy, politics and has a lot of patience.