A Commentary on First Person Perspective

[Rennn]

In modern games such as Skyrim, the most immersive are almost invariably played in first person. Fun is a matter of opinion, but I doubt most people would say that immersion for the sake of immersion is achieved with a third person camera. This is not to say that first person games are better; only more immersive. Third person games are often focused differently than first person counterparts, more towards style or action rather than immersion.

 

However, an interesting trend in first person games is to make your character glide along the ground with nary a noticeable footstep. Although some people say that a 'camera sway' effect disorients them, others claim that it is needed for the sake of realism. Games as old as King's Field 4 included camera sway, but the Elder Scrolls series has so far been reluctant to go the extra step towards full immersion. This is perhaps because of the track record of games that include camera sway in first person. (hint; they don't sell well)

 

It seems likely that the mainstream audience, running Skyrim on lower framerates on consoles, would be especially bothered by an overt first person camera sway effect. Your thoughts on this matter?

Edited November 2, 2011 by Rennn

[hejpadig]

I haven't really thought about this matter much at all. But I'd like it if the camera was swaying when you are sprinting at full speed. Like it was in the first gameplay trailer.

[Rennn]

It looks to me like it has a little camera sway when you're sprinting, but it's almost absent from what I've seen. If I was running Eyefinity I'd probably want camera sway more, but on a single screen it could go either way.

[Aegrus]

Something to consider is that head sway in a first person game can't be easily followed by the eyes of someone watching. In real life, your eyes track minute movements very quickly. However, watching a screen, you don't have the same peripherals and eye reflexes, so as much head bobbing as there is in real life may actually disorient people. However, some degree of camera sway is great for immersion in a game. It's one of those things that you don't notice when it's not there, but which makes the game considerably better when it is there, assuming it's not so extreme that you want to throw up.

 

Something I really hope they add is fluid character acceleration and stop times when people change speeds rapidly. I'd like there to be some reaction if you run into things (or people) or have to stop suddenly.

[stars2heaven]

@Renn and Aergus

 

Both excellent posts with good points!

 

I find camera sway disorienting if it is too severe. Like Aergus said, we aren't actually experiencing it ourselves, we are watching it. So if it is too realistic it can be disorienting. But like both of you said, I think that a little is fine to have and may help with immersion quite a bit.

[Ghogiel]

 

Something I really hope they add is fluid character acceleration and stop times when people change speeds rapidly. I'd like there to be some reaction if you run into things (or people) or have to stop suddenly.

100% possible to achieve in syncing both animation and program char acceleration with their current setup and tech.

 

It's a lot smoother now. But having been going through the animation software they are supposed to using, there are cool things like suddenly switching control direction 180 can initiate a special type of hard turn animation, so its looks as if the character does behave realistically when doing such a sharp manoeuvre.

[Blu02]

I love head bobbing! I always have it activated close to max whenever it's available as an option. For me it really adds to the immersion in firstperson, especially if the sounds of footsteps match the swaying moves. Otherwise it just feels like you're floating over the ground, and the footstep-sound doesn't make any sense :huh: Same thing goes for any interaction-animations where you can see your character do things with his hands or jump into things.

 

I really hope there's more to it in Skyrim than what we've seen. Otherwise I'm looking forward to a mod to fix it, as usual :)

 

Why Bethesda would cut it out is probably for console-players. Head bob on a TV several meters in front of you isnt as fun as it is on a computer-screen less than a meter from your eyes. If you're closer to your screen while things are swaying, it's still fairly easy to concentrate on details and movements in your veiw, compared to a TV far away where it all gets blurry or calls a headache. But I think this is something for the players to decide in their menus, especially in singleplayer-games. Some people really cant stand this effect in any situation.

[Evilllamas]

I really like shaky camera- I spent allot of time modding my Crysis to have lots of great shake.

In skyrim, I'd like a bit more of a jarring efect when landing hits/ taking em... and for sprinting, a bit of the sword in your periferal vision, and more screen shake would be welcome... looks like he's gliding when I watched it.

This is all gonna get mods I reckon...

[shasjas]

i personally like it, though i wouldnt want it in skyrim without the option to turn it off, just so the haters cant complain.

[Fatalmasterpiece]

Would also be sweet to have your helmet partially inhibit your vision like some of the goggle mods for New Vegas.