What are the Pros and Cons of parallax mapping ?

[Kaelan]

People should be less worried about the actual graphics for the game and more worried about the shortcomings of its gameplay.

Graphics affect how much you enjoy the game. An ugly game is just less fun, even if it has the same mechanics. This is fairly obvious if you take any good game, take out the lighting and replace everything with grey cubes.

 

[Levi]

Graphics affect how much you enjoy the game. An ugly game is just less fun, even if it has the same mechanics. This is fairly obvious if you take any good game, take out the lighting and replace everything with grey cubes.

I enjoy Suikoden I and II more than I enjoy Lost Planet or Gears of War.

Your statement is silly.

Edit:

I mean... if I had to pick between the same game being 8-bit or 32-bit... I'd pick 32-bit. So you're correct in that sense. But I wouldn't call a RM game without Parallax "ugly". There are lots of beautiful games made purely in the RM editor without Parallax Mapping.

 

[Shablo5]

You're both off topic a bit, aren't you?

 

[Elements]

Personally I use a mix of all 3 techniques depending on what what I need, they all have something to offer.

 

[EvilEagles]

Why would you guys bother arguing over which method is better anyway. What matters is your own general aesthetic view (which can be improved over time with constant practices, regardless of the method used) and how efficient or familiar you personally are with the method.

 

[Milkdud]

Graphics affect how much you enjoy the game.

For you maybe, but certainly not for me. Graphics have never concerned me and never will; all it really does is compliment the game.

An ugly game is just less fun, even if it has the same mechanics.

If that were the case, Planescape: Torment wouldn't be one of my favorite games of all time. Rage also has some very low res textures, but it hasn't stopped me from enjoying its solid shooting mechanics, locations, and overall atmosphere.

This is fairly obvious if you take any good game, take out the lighting and replace everything with grey cubes.

If the gameplay is still fun, then it's still a fun game. Graphics do not and should not make the game. If it does, then chances are the game is below average.

 

[Shablo5]

This is waaaay off topic here. We went from "What are the negative elements and positive elements of parallaxing" to game design principle discussion. I'd really like to see more comments on the topic at hand, as I feel there may be some left unsaid, and I love the legitimate discussion that was going on. ^^

 

[amerk]

Like Celianna said, it's been discussed several times before. I don't think there's anything that can be said that's not been discussed before. Personally, use whatever floats your boat.

 

[Chaos17]

This topic became pointless, imo.

 

[slaQ]

Well, since I started this topic, I can safely say all my questions have been answered. So feel free to lock it up.

 

[Celianna]

As you wish.