Jeff Strain says... JUMPING?

Found this transcribed interview with Jeff Strain on gotfrag. Mostly the same stuff as any first time interview with JS, but on page 2 the guy asks the "why no jumping" question and this is the last sentence of the answer:

I'm sure it's way out there 'on the horizon', but it's the first I've heard of it. Talk about a total overhaul of the underlying physics engine. I guess they'd also perhaps address the bridge issue as well, but who knows. Anyone else heard anything along these lines?

Jumping would be awesome. But how useful would it be? you certainly can't attack while jumping, atleast not in any accurate manner. Maybe it could add a 15% chance to evade or dodge? Seeing an ele jump around waiting for his big nuke to recharge would be funny. But the bridge issue, definitely should be fixed before if not at the same time as other engine issues.

Ever play WoW? You can jump and attack, but it does nothing for offensive or defensive purposes. I just like jumping offa things and seeing if I can live....

Jumping would undermine one of the core strategies of the game: body blocking.

Might not be such a good thing. If I could jump over your front line straight to that monk.

Jumping would change the entire game.. Perpahs allow unreachable places to be reached, allow people to get "stuck" in areas... Really would be worth alot more trouble than it's actualy worth, especialy as there wouldn't be a huge benefit for being able to jump in the first place.

As for the bridge issue, that definently needs to be fixed, along with the other engine bugs. I think all the bugs with the engine should be fixed before they add jumping...

I agree, in order to make jumping useful in any way they'd have to re-evaluate their mapping pre-jump, and see what to change.. That would take a long time.

If anything I see them just making a PVE-only small type of jump just for the feeling of "freedom".

What? It sure *does* have offensive/defensive purposes in WoW. Jump, spin around, cast insta-cast spell that requires you be facing the enemy, spin back, continue running. Great for casting instas when being chased.

Ever think that maybe they could add jumping, but it would do nothing but make your character jump? As in it'd be like an emote you can do while movie, kinda thing? I don't know..

I loved jumping off shit in WoW though.

You can just do that while strafing.
But this isn't a WoW board, so I'll shut up now

Given the realistic nature of the avatars and world, I wouldn't expect it to be a cartoonish WoW-type jump over someone's head. Unless you're Spiderman, if you can't go around me, why would you be able to jump over me? Blocking someone into a corner next to a low staircase or railing might be another issue.

That's what surprised me about the answer. I just assumed (and even seem to remember reading) that it was something they would simply never even consider. The fact that they apparently are - assuming he wasn't just talking out of his @$$ - indicates that they already have an idea how to implement it, and what functions it would/wouldn't server.

As long as theres no jumping in towns. I hate it when you walk around and everyone looks like monkies.

Why no jumping in towns?

Also, if they do implement jumping, I wonder how well they'll implement it. Will it just be a basic up and down jump? Will you be able to jump while running? If you're on higher ground than another game entity, whether it be friend or foe, would you be allowed to jump over them? What about jumping from walls to gain extra height? Would you be able to change direction mid-jump?

I think it'd be interesting.

Jumping. I think Warrior in Diablo II.

The fact that body blocking is a "core strategy" is a serious game design flaw IMO. It is extremely not fun for either party; I want to win and lose because of my skill and my build, not because I was or wasn't good enough at exploiting the game's horrific pathing and collision problems.

or how about they introduce tackling at the same time, as in, you run into someone at full speed and you both go down

A jump that has no offensive or defensive purpose? Has nobody thought of trying /jump?

if u got "skill", then u wont be body block by other ppl or monster.

"blocking" had been a core strategy for many RTS game to prevent unit running away. i see it as a good thing to implement in gw.

You seriously think they would allow a normal character to jump completely over another character? I don't think so. That would look silly, and be completely ridiculous.

Hmm, jumping, turtles.... I see where this game is going

Adding jumping would be too much of a hassle. It really isn't necessary in the least. Say jumping is incorporated in the future releases. What about people playing on previous releases? And what about collision detection with other players/monsters/areas from the older maps?

Massive overhaul on the game engine. Do you know how much trouble there is to be had to with this? Not to mention the time it will take, which is time that should be spent focusing on existing problems than just the implementaion of an irrevalent feature.