Atmospheric NPCs?

Dirk

Dirk

Member
Hi,
yesterday I designed and animated a snail just for fun. I like it, it's cute, but at the moment it has no purpose in my game. It can't injure my player, it won't get eaten by my player and having it get killed for bonus points or power ups seems cruel.
So, I have basically a snail that goes from right to left and back again.
I'm sure someone who plays my game will try to kill it and might be a bit confused why he can't and what's its purpose.
Right now it's only purpose is to add a bit of atmosphere.
I'm wondering though if it's just wasting space.
Regarding movies I often read this or that scene should've been cut, because it adds nothing to the plot.
I can follow that logic, but I think unnecessary things in scenes do add a bit of depth or make a movie stand out a bit more.

What do you think about background NPCs like snails, butterflies, birds...?
 
Mihoshi20

Mihoshi20

Member
Dirk said:
Hi,
yesterday I designed and animated a snail just for fun. I like it, it's cute, but at the moment it has no purpose in my game. It can't injure my player, it won't get eaten by my player and having it get killed for bonus points or power ups seems cruel.
So, I have basically a snail that goes from right to left and back again.
I'm sure someone who plays my game will try to kill it and might be a bit confused why he can't and what's its purpose.
Right now it's only purpose is to add a bit of atmosphere.
I'm wondering though if it's just wasting space.
Regarding movies I often read this or that scene should've been cut, because it adds nothing to the plot.
I can follow that logic, but I think unnecessary things in scenes do add a bit of depth or make a movie stand out a bit more.

What do you think about background NPCs like snails, butterflies, birds...?
Click to expand...

I like the idea of background elements for atmosphere. The birds and smoke at Yoshi's house in super mario world, or the flowers of Green Hill Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog come to mind immediately. I like little touches like that. They have no purpose but you'd miss them if they were taken away.
 
Gazimaluke

Gazimaluke

Member
I really like stuff like that. And will probably use stuff like that too. Not many games for the NES did it. Gimmick has lots of stuff like that. The homebrew game Lizard also have birds and frogs and stuff. If it doesn't take to much memory I don't see why not. Of course all games doesn't have to have it.
 
CutterCross

CutterCross

Active member
I'd say, if you have the graphics space and AI scripts to spare, then go for it! Little touches like that show how much dedication and attention to detail you have for your game. But if you're being hamstrung by it for other gameplay mechanics, it would be best to drop those additional background elements.
 
Dirk

Dirk

Member
Thanks for your feedback. I'm going to keep the snail :)
I remembered how in many games everything is out to get you, to a point where it becomes ridiculous. That's another reason why my snail will stay purely decorative :)
Well, maybe it could make a path sticky or slippery. You have to move a block first and set the snail free so it can make the path sticky and you can move on (before strong winds would have blown you away).
Or it could eat your power ups so you have to be fast and get them before the snail gets them.
Or it could walk upside down on a branch and every fir cone it passes will fall down and hurt you if you get hit.

I also thought about having a witch transform you into a snail, either as annoyance or so you could reach other areas.
I don't know how I could achieve that in NESmaker.
 
Mihoshi20

Mihoshi20

Member
Dirk said:
Thanks for your feedback. I'm going to keep the snail :)
I remembered how in many games everything is out to get you, to a point where it becomes ridiculous. That's another reason why my snail will stay purely decorative :)
Well, maybe it could make a path sticky or slippery. You have to move a block first and set the snail free so it can make the path sticky and you can move on (before strong winds would have blown you away).
Or it could eat your power ups so you have to be fast and get them before the snail gets them.
Or it could walk upside down on a branch and every fir cone it passes will fall down and hurt you if you get hit.

I also thought about having a witch transform you into a snail, either as annoyance or so you could reach other areas.
I don't know how I could achieve that in NESmaker.
Click to expand...

If your game gains a following, I could easily see the clickbait youtube videos now. 'REAL PURPOSE FOR THE SNAIL REVEALED!' 'EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT THE SNAIL WAS WRONG!' '5 REASONS WHY THE SNAIL IS THE TRUE HERO!'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom