Agreed!
I think a great comparison is normal weapons Unreal Tournament (1st one, I guess quake is the same) vs instagib UT. Both require a completely different skillset. Normal weapons requires a ton of knowledge about the map (weapons, powers up etc) and when to use what happen and how to use each weapon effectively. vs instagib which is much less about knowledge and more about raw skill. Both have 'high skill' gameplay, just in a completely different way. Doesn't mean one is inferior to the other, but a matter of taste. (I love the intensity of instagib!)

Don't like where this guy will take combat, it'll turn into this mini-game making it way too complex detracting from the overall experience of the 'war' that is planetside. Veteran players will probably dominate 'noobs' simply because they know how to handle the guns better, knowledge gained simply from experience. Which will scare new players away.


Games are meant to be fun, most gamers aren't professionals and gaming shouldn't be a second job, where you need to work your ass off to be able to play it properly.

The CS community is down voting his video due to anger of him "leaving". I find it amazing society tolerates shit like that.

ahhh welcome to the internet..

Im assuming you mean the dislikes on YT?

Do you think the the game live up to the hype?

Seeing what you say, and having researched your background, im now convinced that you are propably the best that could have happened to ps2.
Higby, damn good hire.
Just one thing dude: make sure you represent the tr as much as higby and T represent the other two. And grab graywolfes as your support. ;-)

Hi Jimmy, two questions:
What are your thoughts on the gun-play and player handling of the Battlefield series? Specifically, the difference between BF2/2142 and BC2/BF3.

I've never been able to really put into words why I find the former generation of Battlefield games more satisfying than the second. Maybe you could help me out there, or maybe you think differently!

Also, what are your thoughts on the recent FPS trend of offering weapon unlocks and upgrades? (i.e. New scopes, rails, foregrips, ammo types etc.) Do you feel they can be successfully balanced in a game like PS2?

Personally, I miss the simplicity of older FPS games where you knew exactly what it was your enemy had equipped, and you were therefore evenly matched.

Thanks for doing this AMA!

Hey, Jimmy! It's nice to have you as one of the devs.



You just won my gamer-heart with this quote, btw.

And my question to you, is:

Do you think PS2 HAVE to strive to get the 'perfect balance' between weapons/vehicles? Where everything is perfect, and nothing is concidered "OP". And if so, is it possible?

Hello Jimmy, and welcome to the forums. Hope you didnt got too many scars from the other thread!

Anyways, here are my questions.
1: Since you were hired to improve gunplay, does it mean that SOE feel they have achieved interesting tactical choices about which areas to attack? (Since this is an MMOFPS, choices regarding focus on areas are more important, since you cant do everything like en classic FPS´s.)
2: Do you feel some specific qualities are missing from PS2 as it is now in regards to gunplay? Specific styles, choices, etc.
3: Now that you will work as a PS2 designer, how do you feel about stopping doing what you currently do? (Cast, play and stuff)

I'm interested to hear your opinion on why you preferred CS 1.6 to source. I imagine you've probably answered this in-depth somewhere in the past, feel free to link to a video/blog post! (I failed at finding one ).

Also, ever play zombie escape in cs?

Boxers or briefs?

Sorry, wrong decade.

Since you have experience in both low TTK games with fewer players per map such as CS, as well as high TTK games with more players like in the original Planetside, what is your opinion on what TTK's need to be like to work in Planetside 2? Do you think that anything will have to be sacrificed from the gunplay feeling of 1 vs 1 fights in order to make sure 200 vs 200 fights feel right, or do you think it's a non issue?

Good to have you on board. I look forward to seeing your contributions as the game continues to evolve.

I'm not generally big on online games because I often feel obligated to play a specific way in order to stand even the slightest chance. The commitment to player customization is one of the main reasons I'm excited to play PS2. With regard to weapon customization, sidegrades, certifications, and playstyle, how much freedom do you expect players to ultimately have while remaining at least somewhat competitive?

2. There's lots to cover here, all I can say is that there will be changes, and that's what makes this hard to cover in depth.

I would just love to hear your comment on my views regarding TTK in FPS games.

My views are these:

• I believe that games with longer TTK favor different sets of skills to games with shorter TTK.
  
• Games with longer TTK are more rewarding to the individual skill of players.* It rewards players who are able to make headshots quickly and accurately. It makes it safer for players to cross open ground that is being covered by snipers, and safer for players to charge around a corner that is being guarded by the enemy. It is safer to do these things because less players are able to make the accurate headshots required to quickly put another player down. This promotes more aggressive play, where aggressiveness is defined as players being more willing to cross open ground or charge into guarded areas.
  
• Games with shorter TTK are more rewarding to teamwork.* If an entire squad can be gunned down by one person with a single assault rifle clip, then it is imperative that players move together in a more coordinated fashion. Infantry formations that minimize friendly fire and maximize arcs of fire on the enemy become more important. Crossing open ground that is covered by snipers requires assistance of cover (eg. smoke or friendly armor), or flanking maneuvers to take out entrenched enemy. Entering a room that is guarded by enemy requires techniques such as coordinated entry by a squad via multiple access points, or the use of grenades prior to entry.
  
• Games that have a TTK that is too low or too high are both frustrating to beginning players. If the TTK is too low the beginning player will get more kills, but they will be too hesitant to move into more dangerous areas lest they immediately die. If the TTK is too high then the beginning player will hardly ever win any close encounters, and will get frustrated when they empty half a clip or more into an enemy only to have them turn around and kill them.

* Note that high TTK also rewards smart play and team work, and low TTK also rewards individual skill - its just that in my view the sets of skills that are favored the most are different in both types of games.



From your experience, is this an accurate view of TTK in games? If not then why not?

Name one multiplayer FPS where someone holding W + M1 would reliably do better than an intelligently played vet utilizing the same equipment.

The problem with calling types of play 'intelligent' is that what is a sound tactic and what is not differs greatly from game to game. Smart tactics in ArmaII would be completely worthless tactics in Tribes 2, and vice versa.

Bursting and recoil control, as such, are intelligent moves only if the game penalizes them. Not all games do so, including games that are considered highly skill based.

Oh, and regarding your remark on 'Watered down' fps mechanics of modern shooters.. Have you considered the idea that they're not, in fact, watered down, and instead just not what you prefer? Have you considered as well the idea that some may consider mechanics you prefer 'needlessly obtuse'?

can you share your feelings on the Infantry Movement speed in PS2?

I feel that in addition to spread and recoil increase, increased movement speed can significantly increase an FPS games skill cap by giving stronger players a greater ability to seek cover when under fire from a player with poor aim.
(and consequently a higher time to kill. where as a skilled player will be able to kill fast enough that this is not an issue.)

and will there be a difference in movment speed between classes (eg. light & heavy assult)



Tribes penalises automatic weapons with high TTK and very high movement speed, for a modern military shooter style of FPS he is ABSOLUTELY correct.

(PS1 also had relitivly high TTK compared to this game)

What is your opinion of PS1 as a tactical shooter? Sure the netcode is bad, but how do you think the gameplay was?