In the 2014 PlayStation title DriveClub the developers were very successful in implementing a well known visual feature known as Screen Shake. This effect, when implemented properly, give a subtle camera shake when the vehicle is going at high speed. This seemingly trivial feature has the effect of greatly enhancing the sense of speed that the player experiences. As you can see from the clip the game achieves a sense of speed unlike any other racer in recent times (at least one that is grounded more on reality, which means games like Asphalt 9 are not considered) - DRIVECLUB has the best sense of speed in a racing video game - YouTube - and one without weather - DRIVECLUB HYPERSPORT CARS TOP SPEED DRIVE - YouTube - this is a stark comparison to Forza H4 which utilizes a simple smooth camera with no shake at all - 45 Minutes of Forza Horizon 4 Summer Season Gameplay - YouTube - notice how much less the intensity of the driving is especially given that the player is supposedly driving at 120MPH. The only feedback we see are those related to acceleration/decelerations.
So I have every reason to recommend to the Forza Horizon team to implement a similar screen shake feature to FH4 complete with sliders to adjust its intensity, it will go a long way in making players feel like they are driving fast vehicles and enhance the overall driving experience.
I don’t find it nauseating at all. Given that DriveClub was developed by a team of probably 100s of people it would be safe to assume that they also did not find the feature nauseating. Many DriveClub players play the game with the screen shake enabled which brings to the other point that the feature can always be an option for players.
I’m not sure it’ll take off, people complain about the shake in Forza 7. Personally I’ve never noticed it and I couldn’t see any screen shake at all in those drive club videos, a bit like Yanny v Laurel and Blue/Black dress v Gold/White dress, people see and hear different things. Maybe that’s why I’ve never seen the well documented stuttering in Forza?
The ‘‘shake’’ in Forza 7 is the kind that solicit negative feedback, its a more wobbly effect - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjafC6JH2UU - not actual shake, the camera has a ‘floaty’ feel there. Although I appreciate the effort by the team.
I am surprised you didn’t notice it maybe that’s actually a good thing. To me the effect in DriveClub enhances the sense of speed, makes driving at 150+MPH feel intense!
Is the Forza 7 shake happening when there’s a heavy hit? I still didn’t see it in that video. I’m a self confessed terrible videogame driver but I’ve never hit the walls that much in a race. I believe there’s an option to turn it off anyway? The only sense of speed effects I’ve noticed in a racing game has been in the NFS franchise but they’re far too Arcady for my liking.
You are certainly an outlier regarding screen shake you can notice it more during turns, keep a look at the UI see how it floats around. The shake they implemented seem to have the goal of attenuating G-forces experienced by the car or something similar not speed.
Edit - best way, I think, you can notice the kind of screen shake I am referring to in DriveClub is to look at far away objects like trees (in the second video) and notice how they ‘‘shake’’ ever so slightly like the effect of vibrations on the 3rd person camera.
OH, I see it now! People must be looking at different things when driving, I tend to concentrate on the road mainly. Btw, its still a White and Yellow dress, and Yanny! People see and hear different things obviously, maybe that’s why I’m a half full pint type of person whereas most on here are a half empty pint
Yes certainly you need to concentrate on the road if you have to make it to the finish line in one piece I only pointed out an element on screen where the effect is more noticeable.
Sure, why not. As long as there is an option to turn it off. First thing I do in games is to turn off motion blur, any shake effect, mouse acceleration etc.
Add to that head bob as that makes me feel like I’m gonna barf. Effects like these are fine if there’s a way to switch them off as not everyone can take them.
If you want a sense of speed, my first suggestion would be use a bonnet/front bumper/cockpit view rather than an external behind car view. Find it quite weird that people enjoy this 3rd person like view as its very removed from the view you have when driving IRL.
As for the blur thing, meh, theres plenty of things i want from a driving game and that would be very near the bottom if on it at all.
The chase cams offer a peripheral awareness that is otherwise lacking. It can make for a more realistic driving experience in close quarters than the cockpit view which is very much like driving with one eye closed while wearing blinders.
Like all Things it comes Down to practice in my book. You can use the right stick to look arround in all angles. You just dont have the hight. After several years driving like this in FM i am now a danger to others while driving in 3 person view. lol
In FM7 I learned to like the wobblie effect, but it isnt that noticable in cockpit view. But as allways make it as an option if it where to be included in FH4. To each the their own
I do enjoy those views, in fact I find its easier to control the car while in cockpit or hood views but sometimes I want a good cinematic 3rd person view of the car . However the screen shake is present in those views as well and contributes to the sense of speed and intensity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbZ0X5beUlo
I do not have an issue with motion blur, when used conservatively it can enhance the sense of speed just like how things that move too fast blur in your peripheral vision in real life.
I see this shake as well in FM7, with the fast you go the worse it gets. It does give a more realistic feel in the cockpit view, but a more nauseous feeling in Chase view. You get use to it after a little while of playing, but I’ve been playing a lot of the older FM’s where there really isn’t any shake, or just less noticeable. When I come back to FM7 after playing the older ones I notice it right away. If they do bring it to FH4, give an option on to turn it off. please. I play Horizons more for the fun with friends and Motorsports for the more realistic feel when I want it. Wish FM7 or future FM’s would bring in Rally racing, not just the cars, but a lot of the tracks as well, with the Sim style racing and additional things that Forza’s bring. I play Dirt Rally, but would love if Forza did it as well.
I guess screen shake works but unless the shake feel attributed to the actual surface that’s being driven on, it just feels fake and arcadey. Which is fine in arcadey games like Burnout or DriveClub but Forza can do better.
In DriveClub the screen shake is proportional to the speed and only really kicks up above 60MPH and even in when driving at 250MPH its not over the top but does get pretty intense - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtRkN1pKY_Y - I played FH3 and 200+MPH never felt as intense as that shown in the video, there are not many ways to convey speed to the player but screen shake definitely helps in my opinion.
you can notice it more during turns, keep a look at the UI see how it floats around. The shake they implemented seem to have the goal of attenuating G-forces experienced by the car or something similar not speed.
I only pointed out an element on screen where the effect is more noticeable.