Black Designer Really Despises "Boring" Cover Mechanic
We've heard that ex-Black designer Stuart Black is now working with Codemasters on a secret game, rumored to be the spiritual successor to the PS2's solid FPS.
Well, they're still all "mum's the word" on details, but Black himself has given us a hint of what we might be able to expect from this new project. It has to do with shooters that feature a cover mechanic, which many - third-person and first-person - have embraced this generation. According to Kotaku citing an interview in the latest Official Xbox Live Magazine, Black spoke out against this idea, saying it's just too damn "boring:"
"There's a lot of cover-based shooters out at the moment But when a guy hunkers down behind something, you've just got to sit there and wait for him to pop his head up. Pops up, couple of bullets to his head, pops back down again ... and I'm waiting for him to pop back up again? F***ing boring. I can't be bothered hanging around like that."
Okay, so I guess we won't be seeing anything that strives for realism...a dude with a gun who doesn't ever take cover in a real firefight doesn't last very long. But at the same time, it's a nod to standard shooters of the past, like Unreal Tournament, where only speed, aiming ability, and reflexes mattered. Perhaps that's the central theme of this new project of Black's, but we'll have to wait and see what Codemasters releases in the way of info. What do you think about the cover mechanic in shooters? Yea or nay?
2/25/2010 10:49:34 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (72 posts)
Highlander
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 2:22:04 PM
Wait, that sounds almost Valkyria Chronicles like, only in complete real time, not turn based.
Axe99
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 3:16:17 PM
Dancemachine55
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 11:09:09 PM
coverton341
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 11:02:26 AM
Reply
chedison
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 10:10:32 PM
Dancemachine55
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 11:16:39 PM
Because they are fun to play, you feel involved when playing.
I'm personally sick of FPS's. Killzone 2 and Borderlands are the exception, but Halo and CoD really need to give it a rest.
Does anyone else here think that FPS's inspire trash-talk online? Or unfriendly competition? I find games like Borderlands or Splinter Cell where you have to work together are far more fun to play with others. Deathmatch is just plain boring now, especially CoD deathmatches where you die every 5 seconds and all games are based on getting lucky if you spot someone before they spot you. No competition, just screen-cheating or luck. I hate games like that!!!
IonHawk
Sunday, February 28, 2010 @ 11:43:33 PM
Even the only time I play Halo is when I get with my buddies and play some Firefight.
Last edited by IonHawk on 2/28/2010 11:45:00 PM
BeezleDrop
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 11:27:34 AM
Reply
Jawknee
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 12:40:59 PM
johnld
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 4:28:43 PM
i agree, they're playing halo right now. hahaha.
as for cover, i dont see any big deal by making it part of the FPS mechanics. because when i play with or without cover mechanics, i try to run behind walls so that bullets dont hit me. Those who just run out and gun are just another addition to my killcount. Even in MW2 people use cover although its not a one button cover. what bugs me is the campers that arent even close to the objective. I want them to implement a feature where if you camp for too long, you blow up.
Jawknee
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 4:31:53 PM
For 3rd person shooters like Uncharted and Gears, i think its more suitable to have a cover button.
Last edited by Jawknee on 2/25/2010 4:38:58 PM
Superman915
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 11:28:24 AM
Reply
Gabriel013
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 11:43:44 AM
Reply
Mysterio Spyder
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 10:43:43 AM
NiteKrawler
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 5:31:32 PM
convergecrew
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 2:32:11 PM
ace_boon_coon
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 3:32:31 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 12:38:38 PM
Reply
Jawknee
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 12:45:18 PM
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I see what hes saying but didn't the shooter Code Masters just release(Operation Flashpoint) flop? Did this guy have anything to do with that shooter? I wonder if this new title is a way to try and redeem themselves for releasing a terrible game last year.
Last edited by Jawknee on 2/25/2010 12:45:41 PM
ace_boon_coon
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 3:34:04 PM
johnld
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 4:32:20 PM
Jawknee
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 4:35:33 PM
IMO its not a great game. its okay. Doesn't deserve the praise it gets from most journalists. Bioshock 2 is a better game then Gears. How is it that 2K better uses Unreal then Epic?
@Johnld
i never played through Killzone 2 on Elite. And your correct. The cover system is non existent in Multiplayer. Weird.
Last edited by Jawknee on 2/25/2010 4:43:42 PM
ace_boon_coon
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 4:56:43 PM
Jawknee
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 5:11:18 PM
ace_boon_coon
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 5:30:53 PM
Hezzron
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 12:52:48 PM
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We'll see what he comes up with.
Highlander
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 2:20:02 PM
CH1N00K
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 3:15:17 PM
Which after a few hours online, I have to kind of agree. Rocket launcher and Grenade launchers are great against tanks and buildings, but when they are used in close combat, nobody wins.
If they made games where you could only use the Rocket launcher if you could lock onto a target (Say a barred door, tank, or sniper building) then I'm all for it, but when you good some idiot running and gunning with an RPG? It gets frustrating.
Highlander
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 3:44:16 PM
I read your first sentence and my first response was RPG - Rocket Propelled Grenade... As in I mis read your first sentence as a reference to role playing games...LOL!
Remember in the first Quake when you could lob a grenade and bank it off a wall to get the grenade around a corner? So much for cover then...
Last edited by Highlander on 2/25/2010 3:47:32 PM
johnld
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 4:35:05 PM
coverton341
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 1:58:36 PM
Shatterday
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 1:55:55 PM
Reply
coverton341
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 1:59:21 PM
Mysterio Spyder
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 11:13:37 AM
Highlander
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 2:18:25 PM
Highlander
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 2:17:02 PM
Reply
This seems a very short sighted view. Cover provides an additional element that requires additional strategy when playing. If all I wanted to do was stand toe to toe with an opponent, wouldn't I be better off with a brawler or other fighting game?
Sorry, I don't see a problem with the cover mechanic in shooters (1st or 3rd person) and would miss it if it were gone.
If they really don't like cover have weapons that neutralize it. What if the first shot ruins the 'cover' object and the second one finds it's target? Boom.
___________
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 12:39:56 AM
Highlander
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 3:07:23 AM
NonProphet
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 2:55:07 PM
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There are a lot of shooters out now, but Black was quality so if they can evolve the original idea maybe it will be worth a purchase.
Last edited by NonProphet on 2/25/2010 2:59:56 PM
SolidFantasy
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 3:38:25 PM
Reply
Last edited by SolidFantasy on 2/25/2010 3:40:22 PM
maxpontiac
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 3:49:39 PM
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___________
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 12:37:56 AM
___________
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 12:36:34 AM
if you cover camp in either game you will last roughly 20 seconds.
especially in gears 2 because you have tickers and those massive bastards with swinging grenades hunting you.
or in uncharted 2 you have the shotgun or pistole guys.
and he does have a game to back that up, its called BLACK and its the best shooter to ever grace a console!
animalmother
Sunday, February 28, 2010 @ 8:20:47 AM
hellish_devil
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 5:35:23 PM
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___________
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 12:33:55 AM
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THANK YOU FINALLY SOME ONE WITH HALF A BRAIN!
this is why BLACK is THE best shooter out.
in fact GG need to suck up this guy and anyone who works with him pronto! he would be the perfect producer for killzone 3.
that is what ive been saying the whole freaking time!
thats what makes all shooters today BORING!
pop, shoot, pop, shoot, move forward rinse and repeat.
GOD WE NEED ANOTHER HALF LIFE!
VALVE WHAT IS TAKING SO GOD DAM LONG!!!!!!!!!!
tell gabe his not getting anymore donuts until half life 2 epp 3 is ready for release!
smileylyon
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 5:43:35 PM
___________
Sunday, February 28, 2010 @ 6:33:59 AM
animalmother
Sunday, February 28, 2010 @ 8:22:44 AM
Shooters without a cover system? Wow...real exciting game, everybody has more or less the same strategy and just runs around like a goddamn idiot, thinking their juiced up like Dutch. Note the heavy sarcasm. When you lack a cover system, you lack varying abilities to play. Just because a cover system is in place, it really doesn't mean you have to use it.
A perfect example of this is Rainbow6 Vegas, it has a very elaborate cover system and while it is useful even on highstakes, you don't need to use it.
Laslt believe it or not, the classic "pop and shoot" from behind a wall is also using cover and if you don't want to do this, then it seems you're too lazy to use any tactics at all. Thats good for you, but very few of us share the same fantasy minded principles
(This is directed at the nameless user)
Last edited by animalmother on 2/28/2010 8:26:58 AM
totozero18
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 6:02:38 AM
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And the cover system doesn't work for me, I'm not saying that sucks, it's just that I'm always the first goddamn kamikaze that runs right into the middle of the fire fight.
@Ch1nook c'mon firing an rpg 2 feet away and taking somebody down along with yourself is pure fun.
animalmother
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 9:06:38 AM
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smileylyon
Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 5:47:57 PM
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I don't care either way, just as long as everything works together.
Id00urmomma
Sunday, February 28, 2010 @ 11:05:06 AM
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animalmother
Monday, March 01, 2010 @ 9:30:37 AM
Running around and just blasting everything is soo boring.
I was originally interested in the first black cause of what i had heard but after reading this mans thoughts, i just saved myself 60$ cause i sure as hades want no part in this game. Im a shooter man along with sim racers and an occasional NFS street racer but even with my affinity for shooters, im not interested Mr. Black.
Last edited by animalmother on 3/1/2010 9:32:02 AM
kraygen
Sunday, February 28, 2010 @ 8:27:12 PM
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However between the "run and spray" method versus the cover system i'd choose the cover.
Mgs4 was awesome because it wasn't just shooting it was sneaking and strategy and felt like a shooter where shooting was optional. I'm all about the options.
animalmother
Monday, March 01, 2010 @ 9:32:35 AM

Black









sonic1899
Reply
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 11:01:35 AM
Last edited by sonic1899 on 2/25/2010 11:01:52 AM