12-31-2006, 03:36 PM
VernJensen wrote: I think part of the reason there aren't really other games like MM is that MM took a TON of work to create. Even just the level editor alone was a huge project. Even though the game appears simple, creating the infrastructure for managing save points, suspend game, global item collection, a map system, and so on is a lot more tricky than it may seem. Heck, even just getting things like moving platforms was way harder than I initially thought it would be. Plus the pseudo-3D look added a lot of challenges, like getting the lava bubbling or zapper beams to work correctly.
I agree with you about most 3D stuff being plain boring. Although, I just found a game that is definitely NOT boring -- one of the *first* 3D games in a LONG time that has held my attention for several hours, and really made me want to come back to it: God of War, for PlayStation II. It's not a familiy-friendly game, but definitely one that will hold your attention! I'm very impressed.
Sounds good, Vern.
Unfortunately I don't have a PS.
I can believe that writing MM from scratch was way way more complicated than we imagine (while we're fooling around with your level-editor). There are so many little details that you never see in other games, like Jack having a real sense of gravity when he jumps, or how he burns in the lava etc. It's these details that make a big difference, I think....!!
Happy New Year (around me Berlin is blowing up in a civil (firecracker) war....).