I was wondering, who imagines what a place smells like in games? For example, if there is lots of delicious looking food in a room, or there is bubbling mud in a swamp? Or when you wear farty-pants in Diablo III.
In old text-adventures they would sometimes describe what a place smells like, and you can just imagine it, but in graphics games I really never think of it. Wondered if anyone else does ^^
Note: I am personally interested, but also because I am writing a paper comparing text- and graphics-based games. I won't be quoting anything, just looking for experiences of other players
The smell factor doesn't cross my mind actively, but it does incorporate my imagination when I am playing a game. In other words, I don't actively think about what a place smells like. The smell of a place automatically becomes a part of the entire ongoing fantasy while I play the game.
I think one of the biggest reasons why I am adversed to playing gory games is because I would automatically associate that type of game with the smell of blood and rotten flesh. Ever been in a butcher shop? It must be ten times worst in a gory setting.
Things like being in a swamp can be quite interesting. Not only would I automatically 'smell' the place, but also 'feel' the humidity and the creepy crawly feeling of the place. Places like Hell in Diablo 3 makes me fantasize about the uncomfortable heat almost searing my skin. Etc.
I've never really imagine what a place in agame could smell like but now that you make me think about it I'd more than glad to know how's the atmosphere and smells in Diamond Shores in ArcheAge. I think, with its beautiful shores and sea, it's one of the best map in the game. I guess that would be a typcical "sea small" tough but I would really like to "taste it".
I've never really imagined the smell of a place, no. When I'm imagining the scenery of a game, I usually try to picture what my surroundings would look like in a real/3D environment if the game isn't already in a realistic style, or I imagine what it would feel like in certain areas; what it would be like to experience it first hand. The scent factor isn't something that I usually give much attention to, though.
The thought has crossed my mind a few times playing Fable...some of the areas in there would make my stomach churn if I were actually there! I wonder if technology will ever progress to the point of being able to actually smell the world we're playing in! That would be incredible though I imagine it's years and years off from being a reality - if ever lol.
