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Game Evaluation Assignment. Kasey Thompson CIS487 F09 9/28/09. Preliminary Info. Creator: Tripwire Interactive Make Something Unreal contest $50,000 in cash Unreal Engine commercial license worth approximately $350,000. Publisher: Bold Games, Valve Corporation
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Game Evaluation Assignment Kasey Thompson CIS487 F09 9/28/09
Preliminary Info • Creator: Tripwire Interactive • Make Something Unreal contest • $50,000 in cash • Unreal Engine commercial license worth approximately $350,000. • Publisher: Bold Games, Valve Corporation • Genre: First Person Shooter,Period Piece • Price: • Original ($30), Current($15), Specials($5) Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Preliminary Info Cont. • Minimum Hardware Requirements: • CPU: 1.2GHz (single-core) • RAM: 512MB • GPU: 64MB w/ DirectX9 Compatibility • HDD: 2GB Space • Actual Requirements Hold True • Recommendation • 3.0GHz, 1GB RAM, 128MB GPU Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Game Summary • Play as either a Soviet or German soldier during the Eastern-Front (OstFront) Campaign of World War Two in a realistic FPS. • From Operation Barbarossa (Summer 1941) to the Fall of Berlin (Spring 1945). • The storyline follows actual history of World War 2, but with limited continuity. • (i.e. battles are like Death Match in Quake) Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Game Summary: Player’s Role • The Player can choose many different roles in each game, which can vary during and between battles. • Play as member of a small squad (16-32 other players) • Infantry (FPS) • Many roles as infantry (Rifleman, Officer, Antitank) • Tanks (FPS/Simulation) • Tank crew/Tank commander Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Game Summary: Player’s Role Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Game Summary: Installation • Download and install via Steam • www.steampowered.com • Purchase Hardcopy and install in typical software fashion Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Game Summary: Interface • Game Menus • Similar Layout to Unreal Multiplayer • Simple and Familiar • In Game Interface • Similar to Most FPS Except: • No crosshairs • No ammo counter • No health bar • No “super map” with teammates pointed out Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Game Summary: Game play • The Object of each map is to take and hold key strategic “Control Points” placed around the map. • Attack/Defense & Meeting Engagement Maps • Take Control Points by having more team members in the radius for 10-30 seconds Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Game Summary: Scoring • Score Individual Points by: • Killing Opponents (1 pt) • Helping Teammates (3-5 pts) • Giving ammo, etc • Capturing/Assist Capturing Control Point (10 pts) Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Art • Vintage Propaganda Posters • Ambient Colors and Contrast • Serious/Warlike undertones • E.g. gray/red/black • Mood setting models, skies, and textures • Drab, dark, dirty Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Sound and Music • Realistic sounding weapons and vehicles • Immersive ambient sounds • Distant artillery/machine guns • Bland Musical Track • Takes away from the immersion • Recommend to play without music Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Special Features • ‘Dual Arc’ Control • Two independent arcs allow hands to move separate of body • Realistic Weapon Behavior • Physics (bullet drop) • Sway (breathing) • Mechanics (manually work bolt, change barrel) • Realistic Tank Geometry • Deflections at specific angles/ranges Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Known Bugs • Frame Rate & Recoil of Firearms • Users with poor performing computers will sometimes experience zero recoil of firearms resulting in a cheat-like control of weapons • Animation Bugs/Glitches • Rifle reloading, etc • Historical Inaccuracies • Minor details on some weapons • Some propaganda art is not of Period Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
The Good • Immersive Game Play • Feels like you’re a part of history • Challenging Game Play • Victories are more enjoyable because of difficulty • Social Game Play • Play as a part of team (VoIP) Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
The Bad • Challenging Game Play • New users may be put off by learning curve • Old users may be frustrated on a “bad day” • Graphics Outdated • Noticeably old graphics can be awkward at times • Can lead to removal from immersive game play • Lack of Continuity • E.g. Germans can win the battle of Berlin, but to no affect Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
…In the Same Genre • Red Orchestra is very unique World War Two – First Person Shooter, there are not many games like it. • Many World War Two games but… • Red Orchestra is only which looks solely at non American involvement in the war. • Other shooters: Arcade type, fast paced, non-realism oriented • Red Orchestra is only which looks solely at non American involvement in the war. Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
…In the Same Genre Cont. • Why is RO better than similar genre titles: • Looks at untapped areas in the Genre • Very niche game model • Why is RO worse than similar genre titles: • Large learning curve for typical FPS • Very specific game which might not be enjoyed by large audience Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Appropriate Audience • Fans of World War Two History • Fans of War-gaming • Fans of First Person Shooters • Not typical game, but it’s a nice change in pace • Teen/Mature age • Graphic depiction of war Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Design Mistakes • Very few design mistakes • Years in public beta as a mod for UT2K3 • AI development could have more effort placed towards it Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Summary: Strengths & Weaknesses • Strengths • Immersive atmosphere • Realistic game mechanics • Price • Weaknesses • Long learning curve • Repetitive game play • Outdated graphics Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Summary: Ways to Improve • Update game engine • Graphics, Physics • Add more content • Campaign Mode, would help with continuity issue • More theaters of war – Yugoslavian/Romanian? Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Summary: Worth Purchasing? • YES! • Great value at $30, let alone $15 or $5 • If you enjoy FPS, history , or a great game Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Any questions? Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Trailers/Game Play Footage • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OawU8g0wd-w&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiDbCQCZ48g • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XJM-i192Sc&feature=related Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45