When should the action start?

[AdamCommando]

A lot of modern shooters today have different lengths of time periods where there is an introduction to the world. Of course, the period before the action starts depends on the game.

I want to know at what point after getting control of Duke in DNF does the action start (either when the aliens invade or when you officially start killing the aliens).

edit: I looked at the archives and this has sort of been done before, but I think it's worth revisiting at least for the poll.

[HazMat]

The action should start with a room full of stripers in a hotel in veges. I call this sceen "the bobbing of heads"

[AdamCommando]

I could never figure out why Duke is so obsessed with strippers. Is he a loser or is he just the most generous stud on the planet?

[Mr.Fibbles]

The action should start right away. DNF is a straight forward FPS, AFAI(W)K. There is no need for this lengthy "use the SPACE key to jump over the rock" stuff at the beginning. A quick intro cini or in game scripted sequence type thing and let us at it. Why delay the game anymore than it already is? Let us kill those alien bastards we have been waiting 10 years to kill.

[Maruno]

Duke 3D's starting area was a roof. I don't see why Forever should be any more elaborate. I'd really like to see the assumption being made that the players know anything at all about this kind of game, and thus forego the tutorial as a matter of sensibility.

I can see how tutorials are important if they introduce key concepts, but a standard first-person shooter doesn't have any. I've just started playing Doom 3 (with Godmode, because it's too scary otherwise), and it has practically no tutorial at all; just a few easy objectives to complete first before moving on to the action. That's pretty much all I want out of Forever, perhaps even less so.

[alexgk]

Depends on whether or not DNF is a revolutionary game. If it introduces a lot of new concepts for FPS or some special mode for interactivity, I think I'll need a slow pace level before action pumps up.

[Little Conqueror]

Where's the option for "kill a room full of PigCops to start a new game?"

[Telee]

Almost immediately.

[vcatkiller]

As soon as you get control. If the game has a tutorial, it should be on the fly, not some isolated location.

[GOK]

But I've never been to Vegas.... I want to see Vegas.

[HangNail]

I really feel that the action should start right away. So many games make you go through a long scripted sequence so that you have to read all the credits before you get to pull a trigger even once.

[Rider]

Almost immediatly, I do think you'll be in control from the moment the first level loads, but I say throw in a little mood-maker like:

Duke sits in a stripclub enjoying the company and a fine beer, when there's explosions and screaming outside. On your way out you can talk to strippers, pick up stuff from the ground and interact with the 'club in general before you step outside and the action kicks in.

That'll be more then enough for me!

[Nihilanth]

When should the action start?

In the right moment that fits into the rest of the beginning of the game.

[Asmodeusz]

I voted after a introduction like H2 or D3.

Since a lot changed since Duke3d, I think that some "getting into the mood" or foreplay () would be very welcome. That would be space for some background on what happened since D3D and a introduction to the new situation. It would be cool Duke being a smartass towards the General (from the 2001 screenshots) and flirtitng in his unique ways with the chicks at the EDF HQ. Also some room for humor when getting his equipment: "You have 2,5 million aliens to kill. Here's a desert eagle and your shades. Ya'know - cost cutting"

[JobivanHiob]

sounds fitting Asmodeusz

"As soon as you get control" gets my vote.

[Mr. Crow]

Just a part of introduction (short) and the rest of intro trough entire first level mixed with alien ass kicking.

[Thriller]

I want the aproach I think 3DRealms are aiming for. George has stated countless of times that he is not fond of tutorials, so I bet it starts kind of slow so the player gets used to the fundamentals.

[KaiserSoze]

Start off the action immediately. They can start it like "Prey" where Duke is in a hotel room for example and you get used to the controls and interactive features.

[HazMat]

I think it is important to get a good example of the physics associated with the striper entities. Also during this opening scene in the hotel room we could get a good idea what Duke has been up too. It would be a good time to hear Dukes voice while he is pleasured by the company of these striper entities.

[Colicedus]

It depends on what the story actually is...
Personally I want to have a glimpse at WHO Duke is when in time of peace.
Is he an Average urban Joe? Is he on holiday? is that Holiday strictly work?
He works for the CIA for one, There could be a Slight training program level where Duke is having to do some sort of thing where he blows the cover off a scam of some kind. Then the Aliens happen!

Or dose he live in Lass Vegas?
Dose he live in a Flat there? Where dose he get all that money from that he gives to strippers? (THATS what I would love to know)

[HazMat]

dude DUKE works for no man!

[Colicedus]

Sayz... Who???

Anyway... How dose the story move or evolve if he has no goal to accomplish to begin with before all the chaos starts?
I am gathering you wish to keep the story simple where Duke is just some Gung ho Psychopath that just has a shit load of money and Fights anything that gets in his way?

Sounds a little like Duke, but it kills the fact that he is a good guy or the hero. Wouldn't the aliens be doing the human race a favor if this Psycho was running around the place, watching babes at strip joints and killing whoever?

Did he just happen to WANDER into Lass Vegas?
If you want to make a good game, you must find the balance of a good story, good game play, good design, and

I must admit, the original Duke Nukem was a little... well... it was a good game in its time, its story was kind of simple, but if it were not for it, Duke would not have developed in character for the second game, and if it were not for the second game, Duke would not have ended up not being home in time to save LA.

Call me a little bit of an annoying talker, but what makes a game hooking is a good, interactive story IMO. In all good literature a protagonist has a goal that he tries to fulfill, Wether it be a Prince saving the Princess, or A English adventure finding a lost family treasure, or even a Story of some one proving there worth to be king of the world, each good peace of any literature hooks the reader/veiwer/player to the Media.

just my 2 cents

[Nihilanth]

Originally Posted by Colicedus

Sayz... Who???

George Broussard, I believe.

[Lt.Havoc]

Originally Posted by Nihilanth

George Broussard, I believe.

He only said, as a asnwewr to the question if Duke works for the EDF, that he isnt working for them, he never said he works for no one. I mean, somehow he needs some kind of work and payment after all, otherwise he wouldnt be able to pay all the weapons, ammo and the damage he does and of course, the strippers.

Image Duke going up to the General "Alien exterminating and resucing the world, that makes 15 Million Dollars. I also take Master Card and Visa." :P

[Kristian Joensen]

he never said he works for no one.

I beg to differ:

Originally Posted by George Broussard

Duke works for no man.

[Lt.Havoc]

Well, he said "for no MAN" but maybe he works for a woman?

[AdamCommando]

Originally Posted by Lt.Havoc

He only said, as a asnwewr to the question if Duke works for the EDF, that he isnt working for them, he never said he works for no one. I mean, somehow he needs some kind of work and payment after all, otherwise he wouldnt be able to pay all the weapons, ammo and the damage he does and of course, the strippers.

Image Duke going up to the General "Alien exterminating and resucing the world, that makes 15 Million Dollars. I also take Master Card and Visa." :P

Duke Nukem is sponsered by weapon makers. Since he's such good advertising, he gets all the weapons he wants.

[ZuljinRaynor]

It should start with a one-liner like Duke Nukem 3D and you should just go in and kill. I'm tired of those long intros. I just want a game that starts and you just go a it. Doom, Quake, Duke Nukem... they all had it.

Or if there is a cutscene... make it skippable. Unlike Half-Life, Quake 4 and Doom 3 and Bioshock for example.

[Nihilanth]

Originally Posted by ZuljinRaynor

I just want a game that starts and you just go a it. Doom, Quake, Duke Nukem... they all had it.

And they are all 11-13 years old. Hm, but wait, DNF is not really that much behind after all. So I guess it'd be fine.

[ZuljinRaynor]

Originally Posted by Nihilanth

And they are all 11-13 years old. Hm, but wait, DNF is not really that much behind after all. So I guess it'd be fine.

That's what I love about old games. Action starts... NOW!

[The Red Slaughter]

Originally Posted by Asmodeusz

I voted after a introduction like H2 or D3.

Since a lot changed since Duke3d, I think that some "getting into the mood" or foreplay () would be very welcome. That would be space for some background on what happened since D3D and a introduction to the new situation. It would be cool Duke being a smartass towards the General (from the 2001 screenshots) and flirtitng in his unique ways with the chicks at the EDF HQ. Also some room for humor when getting his equipment: "You have 2,5 million aliens to kill. Here's a desert eagle and your shades. Ya'know - cost cutting"

Wow, that's some cost cutting! Great idea ,though!

Originally Posted by Colicedus

It depends on what the story actually is...
Personally I want to have a glimpse at WHO Duke is when in time of peace.
Is he an Average urban Joe? Is he on holiday? is that Holiday strictly work?
He works for the CIA for one, There could be a Slight training program level where Duke is having to do some sort of thing where he blows the cover off a scam of some kind. Then the Aliens happen!

Or dose he live in Lass Vegas?
Dose he live in a Flat there? Where dose he get all that money from that he gives to strippers? (THATS what I would love to know)

Interesting! I always wondered what Duke did while the Earth wans't threatened by Mad Scientists, Killer Robots, GLOPP Mutants or Aliens from Outer Space. Seeing Duke in a moment of peace would be interesting!

Originally Posted by Lt.Havoc

He only said, as a asnwewr to the question if Duke works for the EDF, that he isnt working for them, he never said he works for no one. I mean, somehow he needs some kind of work and payment after all, otherwise he wouldnt be able to pay all the weapons, ammo and the damage he does and of course, the strippers.

Image Duke going up to the General "Alien exterminating and resucing the world, that makes 15 Million Dollars. I also take Master Card and Visa." :P

I think Dukes get his money from Duke's Burger. Who would't eat at Duke's Burger?

Originally Posted by HazMat

dude DUKE works for no man!

Duke was a CIA Agent in the first game, I think. Don't know if he quit before the second game or after Duke Nukem 3D (as Duke 3D came just after the second, he could't exit after the second, only after DN3D) through.

[Tixus]

I wouldn't mind something like this:

You start the game in one of those flying cars, looking through Duke's eyes, but unable to control. The camera looks around briefly at the city scenery, when suddenly there's a crash and everything starts to shake. The camera looks down to show something firing at you, while Duke's body is also visible. Sparks and electricity start shooting around the controls, and you see Duke's hands pulling levers and pressing switches as he tries his best to take control of the situation. He tries to pull up as high as he can, nearing a tall building. As the car speeds out of control, you see Duke opening a glass plate and pressing the eject button. The seat shifts upward abruptly, but nothing happens at first. Duke's fist slams onto the eject button again, and suddenly the roof makes a creaking sound, and opens a beat later. Duke's hands move down offscreen momentarily to unbuckle himself, then he stands up and jumps out of the car as it soars past the tall building. The camera rolls a bit as Duke lands on the building and tumbles, then looks out at the car as it crashes into another nearby building.

Duke: Damn! Those alien bastards are gonna pay for shooting up my ride...

So yeah, that was just the Duke3d intro plus a little bit to make it more cinematic. I don't want to see THAT scene in particular, but something like that--so the action doesn't begin right away, but it does give you a good rush right before it does.

[006 3/4]

^ Winner!

[Sang]

An introduction à la Half-Life would be nice. Having the action start immediately is so last decade.

[trackit]

George, where are you? tell us what you voted

[peoplessi]

He is working on finishing that damnd game!

[Maruno]

Originally Posted by Lt.Havoc

I mean, somehow he needs some kind of work and payment after all, otherwise he wouldnt be able to pay all the weapons, ammo and the damage he does and of course, the strippers.

Doesn't Duke find all his weapons and ammo conveniently lying around places? Why does he need to buy them?

[Nihilanth]

An introduction à la Half-Life would be nice. Having the action start immediately is so last decade.

I think it really depends on how the game actually starts. It's not like one of the options is better than other. Half-Life and DOOM3 had long indroductions but I think they worked really well in setting the atmosphere. Deus Ex technically started like Duke Nukem 3D, Quake and the rest of the gang - you start the game and that's it, you've got enemies right around the corner - but it made sense. BioShock had fairly short beginning but considering the plot, you really didn't need more. It all depends.

[Malgon]

I voted to start the action immediately, but I could go with a small intro to set the mood. Just as long as I get to kill some aliens within the first ten minutes (or less) then I'll be happy.