It must be a misunderstanding on my part of what some folks are trying to say here, but I don't agree that anything (including "immersion") should ever be a higher priority than good ol' "fun" in any game. Immersive mechanics like item durability (and every gameplay aspect) should somehow contribute to making a game more interesting and fun to play - not serve as an end in itself. I could design a game about my day in the office where the player would be really immersed in the experience of sitting in my cubicle. They'd feel like they're really using up office supplies, and really managing my Microsoft Outlook email box, and really avoiding my boss. And nobody would play that game. Sure, silly example, but the general idea is there. But maybe I'm old-fashioned.
Anyway, lots of interesting and useful discussion in this topic.
I'm going to give you a quiz because you're annoying me. One point per question anything below a five is a fail.
Is the point of art to be fun? Is the point of writing to be fun? Is the point of film to be fun? Is the point of games to be fun?
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EDIT: Also the forum messiness is why I made the long post quoting everyone smile <- Thought it might help
I wasn't implying that the glass sword thing would be common. It'd be rare occurrence. Just something a bit special to reward not bashing every box. I don't think it'd be that punishing if it was kept to being rare event.
It doesn't nobody will read it it's too much.
And with the glass sword it would be fine if when you smashed the box you just found the glass sword already in need of repair before you could use it, but otherwise it comes off as a gimmick even if it's only once in the entire game.
Eh, I think you're being a bit harsh in forum discussion with those with opposing views.
Also, *shrug* I always read everything in the wall of text. Considering the degree of seriousness some supposedly treat these forum threads, I'd semi-expect at least a skimming so that they don't wildly shoot blindly at points already addressed and covered. That helps no one.
And, I like gimmicks. *shrug* I liked what they did with the idea of the Stone Sword and thought more unique things like that would be nice. The talking Oyster was a gimick as well since you could eat it for +15% water res permanently but I liked it as well.
Gimmicks can add to a game as long as they're kept infrequent and are special.
