Lazy repeated graphics

[KFCrispy]

even in next-gen gaming, we will be seeing clones of clones of clones on a screen. why can't they just make a few variations and randomize... is it THAT much work? like in Suikoden 2, they put helmets on some guys in the intro where Riou and Jowy "graduate" and become soldiers.

http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/772/7726 ... 21724.html

[Zeikcied]

On one hand, making models, textures, etc. for each character takes up a lot of space. On the other hand, with the reemergence of procedural technology, you'd think that they could apply it to the random generation of characters. Any unimportant NPC could be procedurally generated.

Of course, we're going to see remnants of the previous generation in the style of game design for at least another year or two before companies start to fully realize what they can do with the current machines. That's typically how it goes.

[patapi]

First, there are clones. Then, there are colour swaps.

They sound like things that earlier games had to resort to due to constraints in time and space, but ended up as conventions where newer games are more or less expected to adhere to.

Imagine a game where no two enemies share the similar appearance (no clones or colour swaps) and that every character have distinct designs, names and portraits. That'd be fun.

[Iku]

random npcs are handy if they have quite a few similar sets of people, otherwise you end up getting confused over whose important and whose a random

[KFCrispy]

doh, the link i gave starts with the first picture of Bladestorm. go to Image 5 of 104. the whole screen is just clones...

[Queens Knight]

Koei is notoriously bad though when it comes to cloning, although in thier defense i've heard this game "Bladestorm" can support an absolutely absurd amount of characters on screen at once.