Since we've all likely been in the situation where we scream, "I could make a better game than this," or something similar at the TV screen, I propose a question: If you were a game developer, what features would your games have in them that either others games do not, or you feel should be standard in games regardless. Let's it keep the list down to 5 or 6 features.
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[b]1. Customizable controls (console games) -[/b] selecting control schemes is so out-dated. I think by now, allowing players to customize every button on their controller, should be mandatory. For those that want schemes, they'd still be their.
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[b]2. Save anywhere -[/b] My games would allow players to save their progress anywhere at any time. I never liked checkpoint or autosave systems - I think players should be allowed to save where they want to. Of course, the system would have "safety protocols " put in place, like not allowing you to save with like 1% health in combat, so whenever you load it you just constantly die over and over again. I would also allow for multiple game saves.
[b][i]2a. Multiple new games -[/i][/b] this kind of goes hand-in-hand with #2, so I listed it as such. It seems to be somewhat of trend lately that games only allow you play one game at a time, meaning if I start a New Game and then want to start another one, I will overwrite all progress of the current game. My games would allow player to have multiple new games at the same time, each with their own separate save files.
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[b]3. Cross platform functionality - [/b]My games would be able to played with or against other players on different platforms, eliminating the need to buy a game for a specific system in order to play with friends or whatnot. I would include the 4 major systems - 360, X1, PS3, P4, as well as PC.
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[b]4. Full mouse and keyboard support (console games) -[/b] My games would have full m/kb support, meaning a 1:1 ratio in terms of performance using them on a PC vs a console. This would also be accompanied by 3 server selections for playing with/against others in MP: controllers only, m/kb only, or mixed.
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[b]5. Customization - [/b]All my games would feature customization. Creating a character, "playing dress up," customizing what skills they have, how they work, choosing whether you are left or right handed (particularly for shooters,) customizing how weapons look, feel, and operate, and I would definitely include UI customization - everything from the color/opacity of your HUD, to being able to customize where all the aspects are on the screen (minimap, health display, and everything would be scalable as well. I am a huge customization fan, and there would be a lot of time in effort put into this aspect of every game.
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[b]6. Advanced video options (console games) - [/b]I always hated how video options in console games tend to be limited to brightness/contrast and gamma settings. I would add the advanced features PC gamers get as standard, like different settings for AA, FOV, and V-sync, as well as choosing the level of detail for things like textures and shadows. I would give console gamers a wide array of options to choose from, so they can decide whether to have performance, quality, or a mix of both in their games.
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Some form of theater. It's really surprising how few developers do this.