Do we really need the 1st person perspective in games?

[drmick]

Recently I have noticed that the games (I'm a bit of a casual gamer, sorry) I've enjoyed the most have all been in the third person: Crackdown, Assasssin's Creed, Gears of War, Wolverine: Origins etc.

I also noticed that I just wasn't as addicted to the Halo, and especially the Half-Life 2 games. I downloaded the Bioshock demo, and while I was intrigued by the story and atmosphere, the gameplay mechanics in that just didn't do it for me, so I passed (annoying when EVERYONE keeps talking about it, but hey!)

In first person games, when the sh*t hits the fan, I get flustered and panicky. I cannot see where the attacks are coming from, especially when there is more than one assailant. So I run as far as I can, hide, regenerate and then come back. Ad infinitum if it's a tricky situation.

Also in online FPS, I always get my ass handed to me. I just can't seem to auto-correct my aim for the jogging head-bobbing camera mechanic. So about 50% of my shots hit home, while my skull takes successive entire clips, and whoosh, I'm respawning or whatever.

And yet, with GoW, I can take cover as part of the plan! And at the same time, with the wider field of vision I can see all my attackers and use my tactical genius to plot their destruction. Er, I don't have to run while shooting either.

And it's not just shooters where the 3rd person viewpoint is superior. Driving and flight games are better with it too.

One of my favourite games of all time was Deus Ex (2000). However, its gunplay was by far its weakest aspect. I just can't help feeling that it would be worth a remake with a 3rd person viewpoint. Which is why I'm kinda looking forward to Deus Ex 3.

So, along the same lines, would Halo, Half-Life, Bioshock, CoD etc be improved by a third person viewpoint? I cannot see too many advantages to the first person viewpoint. It is probably far easier for coders to program than a 3rd-person "camera". It probably adds slightly to the gamer's immersion into the gameworld. It may also mean no need for an avatar, and all the PR and market research that seems to require these days. But's that all I can think of.

What 3rd person offers is a wider field of vision, both laterally for shooting, and vertically for jumping. It allows me to appreciate my avatar, whether it is designed by me or the developer. It allows the Japanese/Asians (and a minority of Westerners I must add) to play without having to vomit.

The thrid person viewpoint is able to be generalised to any genre really. You have both sandbox games (GTA, Crackdown, Assassin's Creed, Spider-man) but you also have on-the-rails (GoW, Uncharted, Tomb Raider, Wolverine). You also have the aforementioned Driving and flight games which are easier with 3rd person viewpoint.

I'm no programmer, but as I understand it, modern game engines shoud be able to handle both 1st and 3rd person in the same game. Obviously it is easier to offer 1st person option in a 3rd person game than vice versa. But would it hurt a developer to design a game from the ground up to be used either way? Could that work?

I'm kinda thinking of Mirror's Edge, which unfortunately have not played, so cannot comment. But it seems to be a game that has considered these points in its genesis, and settled for the first person!

Thoughts?

[Concrete donkey]

I grew up on first persons shooters and while there are a few third person perspective games I like, I’m more likely to get into a good FPS. Never really got into the Gears of Wars whilst finding myself deeply immersed in stuff like Half Life 2 and Bioshock. I don’t need to see Gordon Freeman all the time (or ever) to BE Gordon Freeman. Graffiti from vengeful soldiers wanting to kill me was enough for that.

Third person games are all very good for adventure games and I can’t play racing games in first person perspective but I could not imagine playing Deus Ex or Bioshock from that viewpoint.

For first person shooters I feel greater immersed, more in control, easier to perform manoeuvres like the circle strafe. You can see further away in front of you generally without either the camera being focused on your Avatar view obstructed with the ‘camera’ behind your man.

For me, First person perspective is great for some games, third person for others. Personally I wouldn’t have it any other way.

[Number45]

Where shooting is the only real concern (CoD/Halo etc.) then I don't see any need for a third person character at all. It does nothing to enhance how immersive the experience is (Quite the opposite in fact), and has a negative impact on performance (Super high detailed model and animation required).

With few exceptions (Hi Metroid Prime!), when traversal of any type is involved, third person view is the most natural because it allows you to get a full view of your surroundings.

And, personally, I never play racers in any view other than first person/bumper cam (Yup, even Burnout, no matter how hard I try).

So yes, basically.

[abigsmurf]

The secret to making jumping work in FPS: the double jump. The problem with platforming in FPS is that you over correct as you're not aware of your feet's position. Double jumps just give you that extra bit of control.

[spagmasterswift]

Would be nice to be given a 3rd Person option, I may have finished Half Life 2 had that been the case...

[Dogg Thang]

Gordon Freeman has no need for such newfangled technical advancements as feet. Or hands.


Metroid Prime's platforming worked well. As did Exhumed's long before it. In my opinion, it's not down to it being third-person or first-person. It's about the game getting it right.

[eastyy]

got to say i like the way jumping flash how the jumping system was implemented

[abigsmurf]

ah the flying lava maze in exhumed to get the secret developer idol (damn you for taking Death tank out of the PAL release!)...

Third person games always take me out of games a bit, partially because in so many games it reminds you that you're a grizzled cop, a super soldier or a trained killer. I think a lot of tricks can be done in FPS to get some of the benefits of third person games. For one thing more games should 'guide' your PoV when there's a big important cinematic so you don't miss details.

[Skull Commander]

Metroid Prime's platforming worked well. As did Exhumed's long before it. In my opinion, it's not down to it being third-person or first-person. It's about the game getting it right.

For me it spoiled my experience of the game. I just cannot jump in first person and always have to jump looking down and then I just get frustrated and confused. Same with Exhumed. I struggled on with it (and finished it on the PS1) but the jumping was the spoiled an otherwise fantastic game.

[Legendary Wolf]

I would say definitely yes, but it really depends on the type of game. Shooters like Quake 3 Arena, Doom, Duke Nukem and their modern counterparts are where 1st person view is at it's best. It draws you in for a better experience when only looking through the eyes of the character.

Adventure games however usually require more careful exploration and it can be easier and better when done in 3rd person where a wider view helps greatly, as seen in Tomb Raider, Alone in the Dark, Shenmue and Resident Evil Code Veronica. This is most needed when careful positioning of the character is called for. I particularly like being able to switch from 1st to 3rd person in Alone in the Dark which can be very handy in certain situations.

With racing games I feel it varies from player to player, as each has their own favored choice. Personally I have always preferred 1st person, in-car or bumper views as they give a more realistic experience and enhance the sense of speed. Playing the original Sega Rally in the arcades with the in-car view was phenomenal and at the time was the most realistic driving experience you could get. And from then on that's what I've stuck with.

[rmoxon]

The simple answer to this question is YES.

A game Like Call Of Duty 4 wouldnt be half as immersive and exciting had it not been first person, a first person view quite literally puts you in the main characthers shoes, which makes war torn battlefields alot more gripping experiences.....

I also think you should check out Fatel Frame 2 on the Xbox, the game has both third and First person viewpoints, see which one you think is scarier.

Its often alot easier to aim weapons in first person view too, as anyone whos played games like Strangers Wraith, MGS4 and Fallout 3 will testify....

So basicaly, if you want the best gameplay experience, the first person viewpoint is somtimes essential.

[Strolls]

... In first person games, when the sh*t hits the fan, I get flustered and panicky. I cannot see where the attacks are coming from, especially when there is more than one assailant. So I run as far as I can, hide, regenerate and then come back. Ad infinitum if it's a tricky situation.

I really understand where you're coming from with this, because it happens to me, too. But I still prefer FPS - it just seems more "natural" to me. I'm inclined to say it's "more immersive", too, but I don't know whether that's really the case or if I just want to use a long word.

I barely ever play online at all. I'm rubbish, and the kids online will kick my pants. At least in single player games, if I don't know where the shots are coming from I can go back & "learn the level" so I know how to win it. I tend to be that kind of gamer.

Stroller.

[smouty]

I can't stand 3rd person perspective. Sorry but it just doesn't work for me.
In racing games I almost always switch to the FP view too so I would say no.

I was trying to find an exception. I eventually did. 3D Zelda.

[Ady]

I don't see why it has to be either/or. Why can't we have both? It all depends on what the game is trying to do, surely?

[NemesiS]

A lot of games give you the choice now anyway. Fallout 3 & Oblivion have the option for 3rd and 1st.

I actually like 3rd person. Freedom Fighters was the first great game to nail it for me. Others have followed like Resi 4, Max Payne and Splinter Cell etc.

But i do prefer 1st purely because its so immersive. I couldn't play COD in 3rd or any shooter for that matter as i think it would detract from the game experience especially as the games in question are usually all action. Your meant to be seeing it from the characters eyes.

Having said that the best game which gave you a choice was Thief 3. I used to alternate between 3rd and 1st depending on the level and what i was doing.