tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post8964072774565825394..comments2023-10-22T06:52:56.094-07:00Comments on Analytical Otaku: Simlish: Because sometimes babble is better.Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-70063532331919133382012-01-11T22:08:49.121-08:002012-01-11T22:08:49.121-08:00This is definitely an interesting debate you'r...This is definitely an interesting debate you're bringing up here. I think that in the kinds single-player games that you write about here, the designers have more freedom in whether they do or don't use voices for NPCs.<br /><br />We could think of it in reference to novels and films, since these mediums also conveniently differ in whether they are voiced or not (we'll postpone discussing silent films, for now). If a game decides to forego voice acting, the narrative is more like a novel. If the characters are voice acted, however, this would make the game more film-like.<br /><br />In my personal opinion, novels always feel more "real" than films do. This likely has something to do with the different kind of thought processes that trigger when you read, in contrast to when you watch. It's not surprising, then, that older games--MUDs, for example--we're just as immersive, even though they had rudimentary graphics. <br /><br />I would disagree with you when you argue that text and occasional grunting isn't enough to immerse a player. I would even take that a step further: It's really not the story that immerses a player, but the gameplay. Games without stories can be immersive, but story-games with horrible gameplay always disrupt immersion. Simlish, as a kind of pseudo-language that exists only for representation, might not make much of a difference. (And here's a thought: What about deaf gamers? Though I have no personal experience with being deaf, nor do I know anyone who is.)<br /><br />The significant point to draw out of this relationship is, however, as you mention, how involved the player is with bringing other characters to life. The trend in game development is toward providing characters with voice acting--even the player character, e.g. Mass Effect. I find it very interesting that BioWare has attempted to provide voice acting as much as possible for NPCs in The Old Republic.<br /><br />Who's more real? The characters voiced by actors, or the other players who can only type? If there wasn't any voice acting or the characters only used Simlish, I doubt that this question would arise.<br /><br />--Afterthought: I'd be curious to see if Waka's name is in reference to 和歌 (waka). Given Japanese literary tradition, I wouldn't be surprised.Aaron Freedmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288633529193345855noreply@blogger.com