Level Up.pdf

184 LEVEL 8 Sign Language—HUD and Icon Design
Dragon ’ s Lair (Cinematronics, 1983) first
featured QTE gameplay — hell, the entire
game is a quick time event — but after a brief
spurt of similar arcade games (Cliffhanger,
Space Ace, Thayer ’ s Quest) QTEs almost
went the way of the text adventure.
Shenmue (Sega, 1999) brought them back
and christened them QTEs at the same
time. They ’ ve become a gameplay staple
since Resident Evil 4 and God of War made
them popular.
Players either love or hate QTEs, but they
are here to stay. There ’ s no need to hate them though; they ’ re just one
more gameplay tool in a designer ’ s tool kit. The trick is to use them
responsibly:
• Never use a QTE for something the player can do for themselves in
the game. I prefer to use them as shortcuts to cinematic sequences.
Save QTEs for big exciting moments and nigh - impossible actions.
• Timing is everything. Give the player a “ beat ” to process the appearance
of a QTE icon and another “ beat ” to press the appropriate button.
• Don ’ t string them out for too long; as most QTEs need to be repeated if
the player fails the sequence, there is nothing worse than having to
repeat the QTE over and over and over again.
• There ’ s something worse than repeating a QTE, and that ’ s a QTE that
doesn ’ t play fair. While random QTE icons sound like a good way to
introduce variety, this is the one time you want predictability in your
game. Once the player memorizes the pattern, they can concentrate
on watching the cool actions. Now I know what you are saying. “ Wait
a second! There are video games with random QTEs in them. ” And I ’ d
say “ You are correct. ” However, I just don ’ t like them. They make the
player feel like they won because they were lucky, not by their own
skill.
• Keep your QTE controls to a single set of controls. Most games use the
buttons or sometimes a stick. Try not to use the harder- to - reach
shoulder buttons.
• Make sure the QTE icons are big and easy to see. Keep their placement
consistent: don ’ t move them around.
• Try not making the QTE mandatory. Both Uncharted 2 and Batman:
Arkham Asylum offer QTEs as options for dispatching enemies, however,
if the player misses that opportunity they still have plenty of other ways
to take the bad guys out.