Why no Save game Feature

[tromper]

I've played many many SP games since release and have never once been bothered by the lack of save game feature.

When I play, I *am* my Pretender. If I make a mistake, and I do often, I view that battle time and again, to understand what went bonkers - and improve, hopefully, the next time around. The lack of save game 'feature' adds a sense of permanence and, dare I type it, reality to the game. This isn't a game for little babies or people with an half an hour per week and expecting a quick fix. It was never meant to be, if I'm understanding its history correctly. It's immersive strategy writ large.

If programming time is going to be spent on implementing anything, save games ought to be waaaay down the list.

And hey, I like the 'sack up' jokeyness. So, you know.

Sack it up.

[NTJedi]

Graeme Dice said:
After all, every single argument that people make about why a lack of a proper save feature is a good thing eventually boils down to the person whinging that "I lack the willpower to not endlessly save, so it's a good thing that developers take saving away from everyone else as well."

For me, and I'm sure others would agree, it comes down to the fact that I want the Illwinter developers spending their time fixing game bugs and improving the nations.

[Wyehl]

NTJedi said:

For me, and I'm sure others would agree, it comes down to the fact that I want the Illwinter developers spending their time fixing game bugs and improving the nations.

Certainly there will be people who agree on both sides. I, for one, would like a save game feature and don't feel that it would be overly difficult.

If you don't want to use an option, turn it off...but don't deny the option to everyone else or try to make everyone else play a game the way you think it should be played.

[NTJedi]

Wyehl said:

Certainly there will be people who agree on both sides. I, for one, would like a save game feature and don't feel that it would be overly difficult.

If you don't want to use an option, turn it off...but don't deny the option to everyone else or try to make everyone else play a game the way you think it should be played.

Since the game only has two developers... I don't want them spending their time adding a feature which can already be done manually. Fixing existing game bugs is definitely a greater priority.

[Gandalf Parker]

Graeme Dice said:
You know Gandalf, there's no point in debating anything with you, because you refuse to take any kind of position. You simply waffle that every position is equally valid. That's pure sophistry.

Sophistry? I suppose thats often true but I wouldnt have honored myself with labeling it such.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophistry

Its a marketable skill
As far as "waffle" thats a proproganda chosen word. How about "debator", or "moderator", or "diplomatic". Any of those have to be able to see both sides and move discussions forward without choosing a rock-wall absolute.
Or you could always just say "old married man".

[Gandalf Parker]

Wyehl said:
If you don't want to use an option, turn it off...but don't deny the option to everyone else or try to make everyone else play a game the way you think it should be played.

Generally Im all for that. But I think that some things just dont work that way. The same point can be made about cheat codes, or autoclients, or even serial generators. Those in favor of it say it wont ruin anything because those who dont want it just dont need to use it.

And keep in mind, this isnt about adding it. Its about making whats already there easier for anyone to use. Making it a choice on the menu.

[Wyehl]

NTJedi said:
Since the game only has two developers... I don't want them spending their time adding a feature which can already be done manually. Fixing existing game bugs is definitely a greater priority.

I understand your reasoning. And as far as game stopping bugs, I can agree. I just haven't encountered very many of those and, since other features are added with each patch (like new nations), I tend to think this is not a case of prioritizing major bugs over new features.

Without adressing all of the other specific arguments for or against Saves (but having considered them), I wanted to add my voice to the OP and to Graeme's. Some people think Game Saves are a no-brainer in this day and age and I would even suspect, that while some of the 'old crew' here might not like them, the general public might. Obviously, I don't have any evidence but one thing that struck me after reading this thread...having read game reviews...not having game saves is often listed as a negative and I don't think I have ever read a review that said a game was worse because it *did* have game saves.

[HoneyBadger]

On a serious note, I'd just like to point out that I've seen quite a few posts insulting Gandalf for being a "fan-boy" etc. I have yet to notice Gandalf directly insulting anyone, even in retaliation. I think that shows a lot of will-power, in and of itself. More than I have at times, certainly.

Regardless of whether or not Gandalf Parker is a "fanboy", he does and has put in a great deal of work and effort to help others and make Dominions a better experience, and for that, I feel he has the right to be as much of a "fanboy" as he wants to be, and still get some respect.

And to all those who use large words without knowing what they mean, please do yourself a favor and use a dictionary. Yes it's amusing for the rest of us when you screw up, but we're all friends here and we don't really want you to look foolish.

[Potatoman]

Makes me wish I spent that money on Neverwinter.

Burned!

There's another thread with most of the relevant arguments on this issue in it. It eventually turns into a flame war and spirals out of control for seven pages.
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...5&o=&fpart=all

[PvK]

Graeme Dice said:
After all, every single argument that people make about why a lack of a proper save feature is a good thing eventually boils down to the person whinging that "I lack the willpower to not endlessly save, so it's a good thing that developers take saving away from everyone else as well."

That's not true at all. If you give people a handy ability to undo unlucky results and replay avoiding all their mistakes using knowledge they gained from watching what actually happened the first time, many players will use it, and gameplay and balance will get more and more based on "backsies", people will talk about how easy the game is, etc. Habitual backsies erodes gameplay and sucks the meaningfulness of playing. Look at adventure games that include this, and end up getting balanced so that it's almost impossible to win the game without using backsies, and the converse is that it just becomes a pointless endurance test to beat the game.

PvK