The release of The Finals during The Game Awards was met with overwhelming excitement and anticipation. The popularity of the game has only grown since the open beta last month. However, amidst the positive reception, there has been some negative feedback from players regarding the perceived slowdown in player movement compared to the beta version. This raised concerns among the development team who, upon investigation, discovered that the movement system itself had not been altered. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind the altered perception and explore the impact of audio and visual elements on gameplay experience.
In response to player feedback, an Embark Studios community manager revealed in The Finals Discord server, “We have been investigating your feedback on the feel of the movement from Open Beta to now. It’s been hard to pinpoint because there was no change in the movement system or the movement speed between the two tests. But in our research, we believe we may have found the problem.” The developers have identified several factors that may contribute to the difference in gameplay experience. Small adjustments to animations, sounds, and settings have been made in the past month, which when combined, can give the impression of slower movement, especially for light and medium archetypes. Additionally, settings were reset, resulting in the Field of View (FOV) defaulting to 71. This adjustment alone can significantly impact how the game feels to players.
The issue of misidentifying the cause of a problem is not uncommon in the gaming industry, particularly in first-person shooters. A classic example comes from Enemy Territory: Wolfenstein, where players reported that one team’s machine gun was more powerful than the enemy’s equivalent. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the statistics for each weapon were identical. However, Splash Damage, the developers, analyzed kill stats and made a fascinating discovery. The difference in perceived power originated from the sound effects. One weapon sounded more potent, leading players to exhibit more aggressive playstyles and subsequently achieve more kills. This case demonstrates how audio and visual elements can significantly impact the overall gameplay experience.
Apart from the concerns regarding movement speed, The Finals encountered a few other quirks during its launch. Some players experienced server issues that impeded matchmaking or caused disconnections during matches. Furthermore, an ongoing issue with error code TFLA0004 left players locked out of gameplay. In light of these challenges, Embark Studios assures players that they are diligently working to identify and resolve these problems. Their dedicated efforts aim to optimize the overall gaming experience for every player.
The Finals has certainly captured the attention of gamers across the world, with its release during The Game Awards generating significant buzz. While some players expressed disappointment with the perceived slowdown in movement speed, the developers have assured the community that no changes were made to the movement system. In their investigation, they identified adjustments to animations, sounds, and settings as potential contributors to the altered gameplay experience. On a broader note, this case serves as a reminder of the impact that audio and visual elements can have on player perception and engagement. As Embark Studios continues to address server issues and tackle error code challenges, they remain committed to refining The Finals and delivering a satisfying gaming experience.
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