Camera and Genre research: Third Person (Far/Isometric)

Camera Position: Third Person (Far/isometric)

Genres: Action RPG, Turn based strategy/RPG, Environmental puzzle

The far/isometric camera gives the player a wide overview of the environment. It is usually at a fixed angle, but a few genres allow rotation, zoom or angle change.

This camera is used in action RPGs such as Diablo to give the player a good view of enemy positions and the dungeon/environment map, which is key to the gameplay. Movement is acieved by ckicking on the environment floor.

It is used in turn based strategy games such as Final Fantasy Tactics to allow the player to see the map, friendly and enemy positions as well as the ability to switch and give characters commands such as move or attack by clicking on them. The movement is generally limited to a grid or hex based system.

It is used in isometric platform/puzzle games such as Marble Madness and Sonic 3D to allow the player to see the play area so that they can reach the level goal by avoiding obstacles or completing specific tasks to open the exit.

This is used in twinstick shooters, such as Alien Breed as the player needs to see a wide area to be able to shoot the approaching enemies. The gameplay maps character movement to one control and shooting to a different set of controls to allow the player to move and shoot in any direction independantly.

The in-engine setup for this type of game will generally have the game map with the camera placed high above, focused at the ideal angle for the game type being used.