[Miles]

Originally posted by Zen:
Maybe it doesn't 'add' to your fun, but I don't think they are balacing the game for SP fun, they are balancing the game so that you can use just one set of tactics/units/abilities/spells/nation to consistantly win thus making it boring for both SP and MP.

I think that 'balance' is another concept that is unproductive in this discussion.

You see, it looks to me like balance is a multiplay ONLY concept. Within a multiplay game, balance can be defined with almost mathematical precision. It can be refined by successive trials. After each trial, everybody can tell if there is more balance or less. Thru successive approximation, balance can be maximized until some change in game design starts the cycle up again.

However, it seems to me that balance is meaningless in singleplay. Or to put it another way: It ain't balanced if it ain't fun.

You see, it seems to me that much of the enjoyment of the game in multiplay comes thru the human interaction. In this sense, maybe we can say that Dom2 allows strategic gamers to speak eloquently to each other.

In singleplay, enjoyment comes thru other factors. Exploration, surmountable unpredictability, and the sense of accomplishment are essential components in singleplay success. Balance means very little, unless it adds to the other three factors.

The fact that I enjoy Dom2 singleplayer so much, is a complete mystery to me. I should probably stop thinking about it before I do myself an injury.

Miles

[ January 15, 2004, 22:58: Message edited by: Miles ]