Rotate Camera

[mishuno]

After Reading through the forum I have not seen an answer from the developer as to why the camera is not rotatable in the demo and whether or not rotation will be implemented in the final version.

IMO I feel it helps with gameplay and allows for better control and movement through the game world. When playing games such as AoE III, I use this ability a lot to get better views of the terrain and battles.

Any response would be great.

Really looking forward to the final.


m

[Tjukkie]

I like the simplicity in the game if it comes to overview. No need to rotate things for a battle or something, because they only last 1-5secs

But it would be nice to hear from a dev, why they left it out.

[Aron]

As being used to a strict camera perspective from older Action-RPGs, I don’t care so much but I think opening the possibilities to anyone’s likening can only benefit the sells.

I guess the developers restricted the camera for a couple of reasons, for example, to help finding the many NPCs placed in the game world. At moment, the NPCs are all placed using this single chosen perspective, so they can easily be noticed by players.
A probably better reason for restriction could be that making the camera go much further away from the action could make some people complain about increased performance demand.
Although I think game balance will maybe not a big issue in this game because the MP part will only be roughly supported unlike in other CRPGs, increasing the sight range always benefits range attacks over melee.
It also could take a way the excitement what could await along the road if you are already alerted by seeing enemies far away.

From all possibly reasons mentioned above, I nevertheless think that giving a free camera always helps to imagine one better in the world.
A free camera could give anyone the possibility to experience the world in a perspective he and she likes and prefers.
Creating a strict perspective helps players to memorize the world and orientate there. On the other hand, offering a free perspective could make player enjoying the world more because anything looks different from a different point of view as in the real world; especially if you replay the game over and over again.

[Targzissian]

It is because of the lack of camera rotation in the demo that I joined the forums. I wan't to be sure they release a game that doesn't suck. All they really need to do to improve upon the demo is include camera rotation and the game will no longer suck (although adding an auto-arrange ability to inventory would certainly be nice too). Basically, the game feels like a 3rd person isometric 2D game (think Diablo or Sacred) rather than a true 3D game (like Dungeon Siege, or Guild Wars, or Age of Empires III) because you can't rotate/orbit the camera to view the game world from different angles. Maybe they could make a camera rotate ability that could be turned on or off if it is causing bugs on some systems, but they need to include at least the option of rotating the camera in the final game. I could go on about this for hours. Basically, a 3D game needs a flexible camera system, not just zoom but also rotate. Well, at least they didn't lock the thing to the back of your character's head like in Dungeons and Dragons Online - Stormreach.

[unreal_az]

As long as they make the game as good as Diablo i'll play it.
I don't need camer rotation
For what?
To simply add a feature that's only resource consuming? And also to add more things to the game as the rotation of the map too?

[Aron]

The numbers 1, 2, 3 are already used on the keypad for the zoom and there are still numbers left for possible perspectives.

For example:
2, 4, 6, 8 for the cardinal points
1, 3, 7, 9 for different zoom factors
5 for a reset to default zoom and south-north-view

This way, you could quickly switch perspectives, next to zoom factors, without messing much with the mouse if there is need for orientation.

[SteelPoet]

I'd be fine with the camera the way it is IF they brought it down a little more so I can see the horizon a little better. I feel I don't get to see all the nice graphics as well from the current angle.

[mishuno]

The option to rotate the camera is just that, an option.

Some people want the ability some do not. If you don't, don't rotate.

This is not a feature that if added you are forced to deal with as it is not an intregral part of gameplay. This is a feature that you either use or don't. Such as turning on high textures or low res textures. It's your choice.

As for performance, it should make no difference, UNTIL you actually start rotating the camera, so if you are worried about a performance hit, don't do it.

Besides allowing you to view the game world at a perspective that you find more favorable, rotating the camera in a 3d environment such as this allows you to find, discover and interact with objects easier. If you are in a battle with a large number of foes in a genaral area, the amount of gear that is dropped piles up. It is not always so easy to see all the items. If you could zoom in and then rotate around the area, finding items would be quicker, and more enjoyable. Just one example.

[Targzissian]

Originally Posted by unreal_az

To simply add a feature that's only resource consuming? And also to add more things to the game as the rotation of the map too?

Camera rotation is not merely resource consuming. In a combat oriented game like Titan Quest it greatly enhances the gaming experience. Think what Dungeon Siege would have been like if you couldn't rotate the camera, I mean, people complain that DS is too linear as it is, but without camera rotation it would have felt like an eighties side scroller. Camera rotation enables you to view the combat from different angles and also makes the world feel much more immersive and three dimensional. It is an essential feature for a game like this. I really hope they take the time to implement it, and do it right. Again, though, for those who like the fixed isometric perspective they could always include the ability to turn off camera rotation in the game options.

[DaveyJJ]

Originally Posted by SteelPoet

I'd be fine with the camera the way it is IF they brought it down a little more so I can see the horizon a little better. I feel I don't get to see all the nice graphics as well from the current angle.

That's precisely what I believe too. Exactly (I just never worded it so clearly).