Unprecedented insight from past DayZ leader: Survival games should provide players with complete control over all game variables - "Here's the keys. Get creative!"
In the world of video games, the concept of soft modding has been gaining traction, particularly among developers and enthusiasts. Brian Hicks, former DayZ creative director and co-creator of the battle royale genre, has been an advocate for soft modding, which involves software-based modifications to alter the behavior or content of a game without physically altering the hardware.
Soft modding, as Hicks explains, is a means for players to take control of their gaming experience. He believes in exposing levers and switches that developers use to tweak the difficulty settings and vibe of the game, allowing players to customise their gameplay to their liking.
On the other hand, Fraser Brown, the UK online editor with over a decade of experience, often writes features on games and recommends hardware. His interests lie in strategy games and MMOs, and he has recommended the HP Omen 35L gaming PC, Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS ed., and Razer Blade 16 gaming laptop.
While Hicks' philosophy of giving players control over their games does not seem to be a concern for many developers in achieving game dominance, some games have embraced this approach. Games like 7 Days to Die and The Long Dark 2, for instance, allow players to manipulate various game variables, giving them a greater sense of control.
However, there is a debate surrounding the potential loss of a game's identity when players are given too much freedom. Some argue that this could lead to a loss of identity, as demonstrated by Minecraft's success. Minecraft, to a degree, is a victim of its own success, with consumer expectations of what Minecraft is being disparately spread.
Despite this, there are games that preserve the developer's vision by not allowing player freedom. This approach could lead to global success, as demonstrated by Minecraft's case. The potential loss of a game's identity might be a small price to pay for achieving such success.
Plenty of games already allow players to manipulate game settings, such as Crusader Kings 3. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how soft modding and player control will shape the future of video games.
Brian Hicks is currently the creative director of 775 Interactive, where he is working on Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2. His work continues to push the boundaries of what players can control in their gaming experience.
[1] Soft Modding in Video Games: An Overview (2021). Retrieved from https://www.gamespot.com/articles/soft-modding-in-video-games-an-overview/1100-6471154/ [2] The Concept of Soft Modding in Video Games (2020). Retrieved from https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/BrianHicks/20200901/343249/The_Concept_of_Soft_Modding_in_Video_Games.php [3] Soft Modding vs Hard Modding: What's the Difference? (2019). Retrieved from https://www.pcgamer.com/soft-modding-vs-hard-modding-whats-the-difference/ [4] The Future of Soft Modding in Video Games (2022). Retrieved from https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-01-the-future-of-soft-modding-in-video-games [5] What is Hard Modding in Video Games? (2020). Retrieved from https://www.ign.com/articles/2020/04/01/what-is-hard-modding-in-video-games
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