back to marian's request on our opinions: 3D or pseudo 3D for RPG & why?

one thing for sure, he didn't ask whether it's isometric or FP-mode or just plain MUD. he did mentioned that it is another issue altogether which can be a topic in itself. no doubt DAD's expert 3D nitpicking ability will be showcased there as well.

personally if it doesn't tax my system 2 much, sure i'll vote for true 3D. the possibility is a hell lot more than pseudo 3D. u can pan & zoom so your view of the battle is better & hence better tactics can be applied. plus, views will no longer be obstructed by limited camera angles presented by pseudo 3D. we no longer have 2 miss anything just because the 2D sprites aren't transparent enough 2 show us that the item is there. this happened 2 me in fallout tactics when i have 2 find a mission critical item. u have 2 slowly move your cursors all over the graphics like phantasmagoria to find the stuff.

thing about pseudo 3D is that it's the first in graphical RPG. that's why most of us RPGamers may opt for it. it's been there for so long that it becomes traditional. 3D is very much resisted. heck even people doubt at one time RTS shouldn't be in 3D. but now there's so many of them 3D RTSes. deathatthedoor pointed out that deus ex is in FPS & 3D which are quite a no-no for certain groups of sprite lovers but the game works effectively.

marian, u're the graphics guy for larian. do u think sudden move 2 pure 3D environment & objects can be made effectively for DD2? now with gradual move towards 3D starting with objects & characters, maybe u can gauge the ability of larian 2 do true 3D or continue in slow graduation towards that. westwood & red storm(i think) had tried 2D engine 2 work like 3D but it ended up slowing everything down. not optimised well? don't know but i hope the decisions larian make will be a right one which makes better games for us 2 enjoy.

note: dungeon siege is nice except for its washed out colours.

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