I hate minigames!

[JeffRyan]

I hate minigames. A minigame is something like a puzzle or whatnot added to the main game, things like lock puzzles in RPGs are a classic. This is not the same thing as a function. A function is an integral part of the experience.

Interdiction is a function. Not a minigame.

Docking is a function. Not a minigame.

Scooping is a function. Not a minigame.

These and others are all integral parts and functions of Elite Dangerous. We don't need to keep breaking each function off from the whole and calling it a minigame.

That is all.

Addendum: This excellent post later on in the thread puts it really nicely:

A proper mini-game is when the game takes a time out from it's usual mechanics and does something totally different, removing the player from the existing narrative. It is narrative removal that defines the mini-game borders. A game-within-a-game, but they aren't connected except for accessing one from the other:

Geometry Wars was originally a mini-game inside Project Gotham Racing. Playing Doom1 inside of Doom3 (Doom 3 being a re-telling narratively). Playing snooker or darts in Duke Nukem. They have no bearing on the main game at all, and exist only to pad time, or for marketing purposes.

There are no mini-games in ED, because we are never once (except for the odd crash) ever removed from the narrative of the game. If the day comes when we can visit the station and play Space Pinball, or play Elite 1984 on a station arcade machine, then we'll have a mini-game.

 

[blacky75]

i really enjoy being interdicted... nicer animation than before!!!!

 

[withnail]

What provoked that Jeff? Is it beta 3 or just a general reflection?

 

[JeffRyan]

What provoked that Jeff? Is it beta 3 or just a general reflection?

Came across yet another person referring to a part of ED as a minigame. It's been building for a while. Don't even know why it irritates me. But it does. I think it takes away from the whole, breaking it all down into 'minigames' when they aren't.

 

[Muzz UK]

It's the MMO culture! everything has to be broken down into stats, methods and reasoning! PvP, PvE, grind, stats, DPS etc etc etc.

 

[noodle]

Came across yet another person referring to a part of ED as a minigame. It's been building for a while. Don't even know why it irritates me. But it does. I think it takes away from the whole, breaking it all down into 'minigames' when they aren't.

I entirely concur.

 

[Defacto]

We all have things that grinds our gears, I guess.
I do agree, though. Interdiction is a function, and fighting off an interdiction is fighting off an interdiction, not a mini-game.

 

[Alric]

DUX is a minigame.

 

[ZenSpider]

Amen brother. Testify!

 

[xxThe_Dice_manxx]

I hate minigames. A minigame is something like a puzzle or whatnot added to the main game, things like lock puzzles in RPGs are a classic. This is not the same thing as a function. A function is an integral part of the experience.

Interdiction is a function. Not a minigame.

Docking is a function. Not a minigame.

Scooping is a function. Not a minigame.

These and others are all integral parts and functions of Elite Dangerous. We don't need to keep breaking each function off from the whole and calling it a minigame.

That is all.

I concur sir!

 

[HoshiQaVam]

What you're describing is only one aspect of mini games. They also incorporate things like in-universe card games such asPazaak in KOTOR being an obvious example.

From a developer's stand point, these are absolutely essential not just to aid in game mechanics like scanning, but also to improve the longevity of the game as a whole.

Simply put, it's a huge struggle to ensure there is enough differing content to keep a player playing the game for a fixed period of time, but worse still to ensure they come back and play the game again the following day. So by including mini games outside of the game's normal game play, you're effectively giving the player an additional time sync.

As above Pazaak is a prime example of this done well. There are many people that still play KOTOR, a 13 year old game, just for Pazaak alone.

So while I appreciate that the op's complaint is about mini games being used as actual game mechanics, I think it's worth pointing out how effective they can be in other areas.

However, I have to say, I think most players appreciate having to actually "play" the game to do something like pulling someone out of supercruise rather than just pushing a button. It's far more engaging if done well.

And yes, I would definitely like FD to add some card games into Elite, especially when we're able to walk around our ships!

 

[Gamersince77]

Came across yet another person referring to a part of ED as a minigame. It's been building for a while. Don't even know why it irritates me. But it does. I think it takes away from the whole, breaking it all down into 'minigames' when they aren't.

Totally agree with you there, it really annoys me too tbh.

 

[the-monk]

I refer to it as a mini game because it kind of is...

 

[Jigsaw]

I refer to it as a mini game because it kind of is...

Yeah, I really hate that "lower gear and flaps" minigame before landings in FSX as well.

 

[xxThe_Dice_manxx]

What you're describing is only one aspect of mini games. They also incorporate things like in-universe card games such asPazaak in KOTOR being an obvious example.

From a developer's stand point, these are absolutely essential not just to aid in game mechanics like scanning, but also to improve the longevity of the game as a whole.

Simply put, it's a huge struggle to ensure there is enough differing content to keep a player playing the game for a fixed period of time, but worse still to ensure they come back and play the game again the following day. So by including mini games outside of the game's normal game play, you're effectively giving the player an additional time sync.

As above Pazaak is a prime example of this done well. There are many people that still play KOTOR, a 13 year old game, just for Pazaak alone.

So while I appreciate that the op's complaint is about mini games being used as actual game mechanics, I think it's worth pointing out how effective they can be in other areas.

However, I have to say, I think most players appreciate having to actually "play" the game to do something like pulling someone out of supercruise rather than just pushing a button. It's far more engaging if done well.

And yes, I would definitely like FD to add some card games into Elite, especially when we're able to walk around our ships!

Card games etc will no question be added when we can walk around the stations and go into bars etc, I look forward to this as it will add to the multiplayer experience no end.

 

[JeffRyan]

What you're describing is only one aspect of mini games. They also incorporate things like in-universe card games such asPazaak in KOTOR being an obvious example.!

Okay. Okay. I hate ALL minigames. Except pazaak. But other than pazaak they're a bloody nuisance.

 

[Wolfox]

The forum today it scared me already 2 times. Reading the title of the post I was scared they made a minigame for the docking and other stuff, happy to hear it's not like that and everything is normal

 

[Captain N]

I don't think it's wrong to call them minigames.

It would be wrong to suggest all minigames must be bland, tacked-on experiences that feel like they don't belong to the main game.

The minigames in ED are well integrated.

 

[RustiSwordz]

Taking off: Minigame.
Looking for missions on the boards: Minigame
Combat: Minigame
Mining: Minigame
Going to the lavvy in a hurry after a bad curry: Minigame...

i don't see the point. :/

 

[Calebe]

If docking is a mini game as I heard said a while back, then so is buying goods and selling them. In fact the only part not a mini game is hyper space and super cruise to stations and of course the mini game of unknown signals, and mini game of scanning new suns and planets.

Of course all those are integral parts of the game and not close to a mini game. What good is a space station if you can't dock at it? what good is open space without things to explore and unknowns to investigate?


People who don't like a part of any game call it a mini game, they just would be wrong as the OP said.


Calebe