TPH Forum

General => General => Topic started by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 02:56:47 am

Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 02:56:47 am
I have many points I'd like to discuss on how certain aspects of video games work, and I'd seriously like to see if any video game thingers make sence. Anywah, first up is Star Fox' ARWING. Many people would claim that it's wings actually provide thrust, much like modern planes and jets do. But I ask you, would this really work?
We can first look at the Arwing from Assult.
(http://www.liquidlunch.plus.com/ric/games_arwing2.gif)
This design is so impracticle I won't even discuss it. But what about the original Awring design from Star Fox?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/Volvex/arwing.png)
Well, in this one, the wings seem set back a bit too far to actually proved lift without throwing the balance off, don't they? I imagine it would be rather difficult to keep that craft from flipping over, wouldn't you?

After this, we'll discuss other matters, such as Pyro-GX' prupoltion systems, Samus' power suit, the whole concept behind the G-Diffuser, and probably some other dorky things that come up.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Swiftman on September 20, 2005, 07:29:42 am
Oh, the Pyro-GX I can handle. Lemme do it, Lazlo.

And can someone tell me WHAT this G-Diffuser is? I haven't played Starfox 64

Now then.....

I think the Arwing is purposefully kept to be kind of tippy, so as to do much more effective barrel rolls. Look at a more balanced ship, like the Pyro-GX. That thing has pidly barrel rolls.

The Arwing, however, can use violent barrel rolls to avoid many laser and other attacks, and can use the tippy wait to make more sudden moves to the side when tipped over. [like when you hold down L, you can turn to the left better, right?]

As for the lack of lift, I think with space ships it can hardly matter, since I'm sure they can move at suck speeds that the slightest orifice would provide massive quantities of lift.

But maybe the Arwing is a Lifting Body design, where the whole fuseloge is in a certain design to provide the lift it needs, so as to minimize the wing size.



Any other theories? [yes, I am pretty experienced with aeronautics.]
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Pirate Cortez on September 20, 2005, 07:38:48 am
I think the G-Diffuser is the armor an adjustable thing.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 01:14:09 pm
No, the G-Diffuser is actually something else entirely that I have theories on. But that's not what we're talking about yet. Swift, you may be right about the lifting body. That would explain how you can still fly with both wings torn off. But then, if the Arwing doesn't need the wings, why even bother with them?
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Bladegash on September 20, 2005, 01:19:22 pm
The arwing drifts off into wacky directions without [a] wing, so they must be some sort of balancing mechanism.

I've never played Assault, so I'm unsure of its physics.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 01:21:16 pm
They're pretty much the same as Star Fox 64's, however, the Arwings have a new stylized design that... really sucks. It also changes what the G-Diffuser does, and actually gives it a function similar to the G-Diffusers in F-Zero.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Bladegash on September 20, 2005, 01:22:06 pm
G-Diffusers in F-Zero? That's news to me. (I've only played the original.)
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 01:23:40 pm
In F-Zero X and GX (presumably AX and the GBA games) the G-Diffuser is what allows the machines to hover over the track. In Star Fox Assult, the G-Diffuser acts as a secondary guidance and prupolsion system.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Bladegash on September 20, 2005, 01:24:35 pm
How interesting.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: jv2k on September 20, 2005, 01:49:11 pm
The wings just provide balance, its the g-diffuser that helps it do flips and stuff though.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 01:51:13 pm
I could've sworn the G-Diffuser was a shielding system.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: jv2k on September 20, 2005, 02:15:06 pm
Remember in 64 when falco has a g-diffuser problem?
His sheilds are fine, he just couldn't shake that guy.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 02:22:04 pm
Oh yeah. Now I feel dumb. I guess that explains why Falco, who is supposedly one of the best pilots out there, can't execute barral rolls...
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: jv2k on September 20, 2005, 02:29:36 pm
Yea, I mean even peppy knows to do barrel rolls.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 02:30:46 pm
I've never seen Peppy do a barrel roll.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: jv2k on September 20, 2005, 03:03:27 pm
Course he can, he tells you how to!
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 03:04:20 pm
Hey, it takes a lot of finess to actually execute a barrel roll! It's not simply tapping R or Z twice! The old man can't do it, I promise you.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: jv2k on September 20, 2005, 03:20:49 pm
Oh he can, he barrel rolls better than anyone.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Peaches on September 20, 2005, 03:44:01 pm
Yeah, barrel rolls into the ground.

I for one wouldn't mind discussing the Samus suit.  How does she fit all those missles in there?  and how does it cool her while still being able to fit everything else in there.  Perhaps the cooling system is in those dorky shoulder pad thingys.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Superyoshi on September 20, 2005, 03:57:56 pm
Quote from: "Lazlo Falconi"
I could've sworn the G-Diffuser was a shielding system.

Same with me.  It might've said that in the instruction book, but I lost that years ago.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Lazlo Falconi on September 20, 2005, 03:59:12 pm
I never had an instruction book for 64, only the original Star Fox. I'm sure I can find it floating around my house somewhere in a box, but I doubt it would be in any sort of good condition.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: jv2k on September 20, 2005, 06:02:54 pm
In metroid technology is the same as magic.
Title: Theoretical Video Game Mechanics
Post by: Herb on September 20, 2005, 06:10:10 pm
How does the main character in any GTA game hold all of the weapons (especially true in goldeneye where you can have doubles of everything)

how do the skates in Jet Set Radio Future work?