Definition of "combat" in an RPG

[Nutcracker]

This idea came up in a front page thread and i think some clarification is necessary. Consider the following situations:

i) Hunting wolves/rats/deer/other consumable or trophy animals ingame.
ii) Fighting a bandit, guard, or motivated non-human entity (eg skeleton/zombie)

IMO killing a boar in Gothic (for example) isnt combat - it's hunting. Especially since you can get meat and hides from the slain animals, which are then able to be used by the character.

The natural conclusion of this argument is that you could completely avoid combat in an RPG, but still be able to engage wildlife.

 

[Havoc]

What about... fighting with words?

 

[Abelon Blanchetourbe]

Fighting a bear in Gothic feels like hunting because the gameplay makes you feel like hunting, you have to track the fucker down in real-time, you know it won't respawn until the next chapter etc...fighting a bear in any other game feels like regular combat.

 

[chzr]

both are combat :<

 

[latexmonkeys]

Getting meat or hides from slain animals is no different than getting loot from humanoid combat. If you kill animals in the same manner you would kill a goblin - it's combat.

Larping doesn't change the fact that it's combat.

Period.

The Realms of Arkania trilogy implemented a good example of non - combat hunting.

 

[JarlFrank]

Killing a deer in Gothic 3 or in Oblivion is hunting, because they run away from you and you have to sneak close (but not too close) and then snipe them with your bow.

Killing boars or wolves in Gothic is combat because they fight you and might totally fuck you up.

 

[Glyphwright]

What about beating up a whore after the sex to get your money back?

 

[Havoc]

What about beating up a whore after the sex to get your money back?

It's like having a cake and eating it too. I'm smart.

 

[Radisshu]

That always bugged me in Bloodlines. Why won't the prostitues drop the money I just handed them when they get sucked dry and drop dead?

 

[zeitgeist]

Which category would bounty hunting and assassinations fall into, following this logic?

 

[SoupNazi]

Which category would bounty hunting and assassinations fall into, following this logic?

That depends. If the victim is running away from you and not fighting back, it's hunting. When they fight back, it's combat.

 

[Havoc]

Which category would bounty hunting and assassinations fall into, following this logic?

That depends. If the victim is running away from you and not fighting back, it's hunting. When they fight back, it's combat.

So... Altair was a hunter not an assasin. Who knew?

Hunter Creed! Out in August on Xbox360!

 

[Clockwork Knight]

I think hunting also counts as combat, since fleeing is one thing you can do during combat. I'm not sure if it's combat if you just lay traps. You purposefully did something that resulted in another creature getting hurt, so indirect combat maybe?

 

[Glyphwright]

I thought attacking someone who's running away from you is a chase, not hunting. Hunting relies on staying hidden and laying traps and disinformation to lure the prey where it's easiest to kill it, then stepping out for a quick kill. Needless to say, this is not possible in either Gothic or Morrowind. Deus Ex, on the other hand.

 

[Sceptic]

What about... fighting with words?

Typing of the Dead

 

[Multiple Sarcasm]

Hunt eat. Combat not eat. Also fishun.

In Action/Adventures, however, wildlife behaviour and interaction is remarkably retardedly similar to that of the rest of the cast: you shoot at it with your flaming bow of sparkly might or run and whack it with a 200kg greataxe +3 until it drains all HP. Preferably, wearing fullplate.
Sure, it suits the definition of hunting, but holy shit batman is it ridiculous even to powergame.

So, no, with mechanics, animations and approach like that, I don't see that kind of 'hunting' not being just another combat. It's all moot, anyway - can't see devs wasting time on hunting simulations in their epic fantasy lands.

 

[JarlFrank]

I think hunting also counts as combat, since fleeing is one thing you can do during combat. I'm not sure if it's combat if you just lay traps. You purposefully did something that resulted in another creature getting hurt, so indirect combat maybe?

So using poison on food to kill your targets in Hitman is a form of combat?

 

[DraQ]

Pointless thread is pointless.

 

[Clockwork Knight]

I think hunting also counts as combat, since fleeing is one thing you can do during combat. I'm not sure if it's combat if you just lay traps. You purposefully did something that resulted in another creature getting hurt, so indirect combat maybe?

So using poison on food to kill your targets in Hitman is a form of combat?

Yeah, I thought about including that question on my previous post, because I dunno lol. I think there's no clear difference between "hunting" and "combat".

You're sneaking up on an animal (hunting!), then you miss the shot, it notices you and charges (...is it combat now? If you started to run away, are you the one being hunted now?), only to step on a trap you laid between you two (uh...). Maybe if you consider "combat" to be conflict between sentient beings, and "hunting" when there's an animal involved.

 

[skyst]

ITT: Argument of semantics.

http://www.dictionary.net/combat

 

[DraQ]

What's the point off this thread again?

Apart from arguing over pointless semantics that has no bearing on mechanics, design, story or gameplay, that is.

 

[racofer]

Combat in a RPG is ridding a horny horse casting ITZ spells as you "horse-by" and all your enemies can see is your naked character with a ragging boner laughing hysterically.

 

[DraQ]

Combat in a RPG is ridding a horny horse casting ITZ spells as you "horse-by" and all your enemies can see is your naked character with a ragging boner laughing hysterically.

(modded)

 

[Clockwork Knight]

Pointless thread is pointless.

What's the point off this thread again?

What's the point of posting the same thing twice?

Anyway, don't worry, soon we'll go back to illustrate how undeserving of attention Dragon Age 2 is by making 3 threads an hour to say how much it will suck.

 

[DraQ]

Pointless thread is pointless.

What's the point off this thread again?

What's the point of posting the same thing twice?

Clarification.
Laziness.
Ability to do so.

Anyway, don't worry, soon we'll go back to illustrate how undeserving of attention Dragon Age 2 is by making 3 threads an hour to say how much it will suck.

I sense a slight note of irony there.