Level Up.pdf

252 LEVEL 10 The Elements of Combat
• Always position the button prompt in the same location on screen.
Otherwise the player will get confused about what button they have to
press.
• Allow the player time to recognize the button prompt and then press the
button. This recognition usually takes most players a beat (a “ one - one
hundred ” count).
• If the player fails to press the correct button in time, then try to get the
player back to that QTE state quickly. For example, if it took three
different sets of patterns to reach the QTE, don ’ t repeat those three sets
if the player fails. Have the player repeat one set before the QTE is
activated.
• I ’ m torn over instant player kills for failing QTEs. On the one hand, it
allows for some very bitchin ’ animations of your hero getting ripped
apart by the boss monster. On the other hand, I ’ m against instant kills in
general. I recommend the player taking substantial damage from failing
a QTE sequence, that way they can survive to try again. If they are on
their last bit of health, you can still have that bitchin ’ animation play …
I have played targeting systems that allow the player to choose enemies in
front or behind them by selecting a specific button or direction with the
analog stick 4 . Other games treat targeting like a QTE, where the window of
opportunity to attack lasts as long as the enemy is in view or nearby.
Melee is hand - to - hand combat. Pretty much all the rules of combat apply
but remember that those hands can be lethal weapons and hold impromptu
weapons found in the world: props or objects such as lead pipes, chairs, or
even cars! Make it easy for players to pick up and drop these items —
provide on - screen prompts if you have to.
4 The Mark of Kri (SCEA, 2002) had an innovative lock - on system that had the player use the
DualShock controller ’ s analog stick to do a “ radar style ” sweep to target a sequence of
enemies that could be programmed by the player. The technique was patented by the game
creators.