Standard Scripted Sections

In Brief
Standard scripted sections are integrated within the levels.

  • They allow the full impact of Sonic’s speed to be experienced
    • However, they also offer limited scope for player interaction.
  • The classic Sonic games used standard scripted sections with restraint.
  • classic_good.png This allowed them to remain fresh
  • The modern Sonic games use scripted sections frequently
  • modern_good.png This allows for an unparalleled sense of speed
  • modern_bad.png However, it also causes the game to become repetitive and bland

Scripted sections allows for a thrilling sense of speed. This is achieved through lowering player control: The player does not have to maintain Sonic’s or change his direction, which allows Sonic to move forwards without any interruptions to his speed.

Dis/Advantages of scripted sections

Advantages

  • The range of actions the player can perform are limited to running forwards.
  • There are no other choices available to distract from the act of running.
    • This allows for a thrilling sense of speed.
  • This speed often allows Sonic to do impossible acts (such as flying through a hollow tree, as in the example above).

Disadvantages

  • The lack of choice reduces the player from being a ‘doer’ to a mere ‘viewer’.
    • This lack of interaction can be frustrating.
  • Scripted sections can become very repetitive, as they have little to offer other than speed.

Differences in scripted sections in classic and modern games

▲ The second act of Chemical Plant

Chemical plant Act 2 is one of the fastest levels in the classic games.
Despite this, although scripted sections occur regularly, they do not dominate the level. Full control sections make up the greater percentage of the level.
classic_good.png This allows the speed of the scripted sections to retain an impact.
classic_good.png The scripted sections do not become repetitive.

▲ The third act of Windy Valley

Windy Valley Act 3 is not one of the fastest levels in the modern games.
Despite this, as with most modern levels, scripted sections occur frequently.
Full control sections occur rarely.
modern_good.png This allows for greater sense of speed.
modern_bad.png However, the scripted sections become repetitive.
modern_bad.png The level lacks variety.

Reasons for the differences

The modern games use more speed pads. These increase the number of scripted control sections as the player has little control over the velocity experienced.
The classic games rarely use speed pads (Chemical Plant Zone is one of the few stages to do so).
classic_good.png As a result, the player can choose how fast s/he wishes to travel.

The modern games have fewer routes through the stage.
modern_bad.png As a result, the player is limited to the main route and so has to adhere closely to the ‘designer’s script’.
classic_good.png The classic games have plenty of routes through the stage. This gives the player more control over how s/he reaches the exit.


Conclusion
Modern Sonic games need to use less standard scripted sections.
This can be achieved by:

  • Using less speed pads
    • This will allow the player to have more The pleasure principle of Player Choice over the speed
  • Offering more paths through the stage
    • This will give the player more The pleasure principle of Player Choice over how s/he reaches the goal.

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Categories of control Rush & Spectacle Mechanics Dramatic Scripted Sections

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