What 2D Games: -Movement and actions on a 2 dimensional plane. -Generally has a fixed camera with player actions that affect only the X and Y axis. -Very limited Z axis effect (if any) 2.5D. 3D Games: -Movement and actions on a 3 rd dimension. -Has a camera that can provide a view of 360 degrees. -Player actions can affect more than 2 axis in the game world. Not talking about 3D displays or 3D motion cameras. Another topic for Emerging Technologies for Immersive Games. Overview

2D Games Retro type of game format. Type that 2 nd generation video gamers grew up with. PC, GameBoy, Game Gear, NES, SNES, Genesis/Megadrive, etc… Proven format for over 20+ years. Still managed to sell millions.

3D Games Preferred choice for modern games. Dominant in current and former generation console games. PSX, PS2, N64, GameCube, Xbox, PC, Xbox360, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP, etc… Industry standard format for last 10 years. Rise of Triple A expectations. HD becoming standard.

Current Trend Rise of Digital Distribution: -Xbox Live Arcade -Playstation Network Store -Apple AppStore -WiiWare Lower cost games. Emergence of smaller independent developers. Smaller games developed – not technically considered Triple A. Classic games being re-made for HD and/or for portable consoles (iPhone, iTouch, PSP, Dsi). … they have decent sales too btw…

2D Revival ? Is there anything to be shocked at the escalating number of 2D titles being successfully released? Nope, not really. 2D games have been released on almost every console. However, The prominence that PSN, XBLA, AppStore have gained in the recent years have allowed smaller indie developers to sneak in and start producing their own games. More often than not, 2D games are still faster and easier to produce for a small team. Short Generalization: Increase in small developers + digital distribution model = increase in 2D games being published

2D Stigma There is still a stigma with gamers and even some developers about the validity of the 2D game medium. Fears about: -Low production values -Short play through time -Boring game-play -Lack of story -No immersion Reflects change in public perception of quality games in today’s current gen consoles. However, still untrue about the 2D game media. Haters gonna hate… No! Not all of us are like that!

2D vs 3D To uncover the impact and the consequence of choosing 2D or 3D, we must perform a case study of: -Successful/Anticipated 2D games -Successful 3D games -Retro Games that have been converted from 2D to 3D There is obviously a difference between playing a 2D game and a 3D game. (Duh!) What are the main characteristics between the two forms of representation? How is the design intention and feeling behind the game affected by the different representations? How have original 2D IPs made the transition to 3D?

Castle Crashers 2D Side scrolling beat-them-up game released by an independent developer (Behemoth) in RPGish elements with unlockable content coupled with DLC. Over 1.6 million downloaded to date with only XBLA as distribution source. 84% rating on metacritic. - Simple camera. - Simple controls. - Simple game-play. - Linear Levels. - Identifiable Style. - Custom upgradeable characters. - Co-op local/online. - Extra content and challenges. - Limited/None Exploration. - Classic retro type of game feel.

Bionic Commando Rearmed 2D HD remake of the NES classic game. Enhancements to original title while maintaining the original games feel. Over 130,000 sold within the first week. 86% rating on metacritic. Released for XBLA ($10), PSN ($10), PC ($15). - Simple camera. - Simple controls. - Simple game-play. - Linear Levels. - Gorgeous Graphics - Custom upgradeable characters. - Co-op and competitive multiplayer. - Challenge maps and database - Limited/None Exploration. - Classic retro type of game feel.

Red Dead Redemption Brand new sandbox IP based on the Wild West. ~4 year development time. 5 million copies sold within 1 month of release (xbox360, ps3). 95% rating on metacritic. - Full 3D camera. - Complex controls. - Very open world. - Realistic Graphics - Custom upgradeable character. - Co-op and competitive multiplayer. - Immersive environment/setting. - Exploration based world and game-play. - Multiple game-play options.

Differences? 2D: -Simple controls -Simple camera view -More linear -Less immersion (due to camera) -Less exploration (due to camera) -Faster development cycle (general) -Graphics tend to be more cartoony -Cheaper price point (general) 3D: -More complex controls -Multiple camera views -Can be non-linear -Potentially more immersion (due to camera) -Potentially more exploration (general) -Slower development cycle (general) -Graphics can be realistic -Higher price point (general) The character actions should decide what form and medium to use when developing a game. What do we, as creators, want the player to feel?

Mario World vs Mario 64 -One direction movement to complete goal. -Limited chance to branch out with non- linear game-play. -Simple actions with simple control. -No fuss with camera. -Core platform game-play Nintendo discovered early how the jump to 3D meant a different feel and experience of the game. The core platforming would still be there, but with an added challenge of exploration and 3D navigation as well. They would the take the lessons learned and apply it towards future Mario games. -Multiple routes to explore when completing level -Chance to explore the world and setting. -Extended actions with more in depth control schemata. -Have to fuss with camera.

Realization What has Nintendo done? Created the successor to the original 2D Super Mario World games. Rendered in 3D, but purposely kept in the classic 2D perspective. Can even look at Smash Brothers to see how they understood the potential of simplicity and the accompanying fun game-play. Improved upon exploration and navigation with the core of platforming with their other core Mario titles like Mario Sunshine, Mario Galaxy. Improved upon the camera since the N64 days to focus on playing, and not fighting the camera.

Sonic the Hedgehog Why has Sonic received so much negative press since it’s conversion to 3D since the post-Genesis days? Based on a character that was already shown to give a feeling of speed as it’s main game-play. The new games have struggled to replicate that original feeling that Sonic is supposed to be known for. Jump into the 3D realm has impacted the speed and high octane action that the character is known for. Camera, Controls and Character Actions have not really adapted to the new generations of consoles. Gotta work on those 3C’s in 3D dudes.

Execution 3D Sonic Games have progressively improved over the years. -The feeling of speed has been greatly improved. Sonic Unleashed has an excellent speed-feel representation. There are still problems that arise due to Sonics personality and the use of 3D worlds. -Tacked on character actions. -Not properly designed levels. -Camera cannot keep up. -Confusing controls. Hope with Sonic 4: Episode 1 -Reversion back to formula using 2D game-play with 3D graphic assets. -Attempt to recapture the original feel of Sonic with a new game. -2D by choice, simpler camera.

GTA Immersion is key. Player has to feel like he’s part of the world. Exploration of this world and navigating around it is then necessary. Do what you want, with the actions we give you. Although the 2D rendition allowed the player to more effectively formulate tactics with the environment, GTA was an example of a game that was meant to be played in the 3 rd dimension. Interesting to note that 3D GTA still includes a 2D map in the HUD.

Patapon Realization and exploitation of core game mechanic -The beat of each different drum type. -Rhythm, timing, strategy. -Not the exploration and navigation mechanic itself. -Emphasis on the different beats and what each type of beat allows the Patapon group to do. Would Patapon work in a 3D environment with a 3 rd person or 1 st person camera POV? How would that view change impact the feeling, expectation and complexity that the player will infer just from seeing the game?

2D or not 2D? Focus on the feeling(s) you want to achieve Know your character actions! Game-play direction should dictate the media form, not vice-versa!

Summary The 2D medium is still a very valid game representation format. Digital Distribution has made it easier to produce and publish smaller 2D games without resorting to expensive DVDs. The decision between 2D and 3D should be based on game-play intention and direction. Tech. should not decide the representation and game-play. Tech. is there to further support and improve the vision of the game.