If you are playing a modern 3D RPG or FPS game, which kind of view do you prefer? Which do you feel is more immersive?
Feel free to state the reasons for your preference and what your gaming history is. Would a game’s particular point of view put you off playing something?
I’d say it depends on the game. Some work great with FPS, some as third person. I guess it also depends on how well it’s implemented too, and in the case of third person, how well the camera behaves (a major and very quick killer in my book, nothing sends me to first person view quicker than a third person camera that doesn’t feel “right”). Even when the game can generally be played the same, some just seem to work better as one style than another.
That completely depends on the gameplay. Deciding to make a game third person when the gameplay doesn’t need it (no cover system, no other third person movement like platforming, climbing, etc.) is one of the mistakes a lot of companies make right now. For example, Lead Gold was a Third Person TF2 clone - but there was absolutely no reason why it had to be third person.
Every decision you make should always reflect back to the gameplay - just making something FPS because ‘FPS is cool’ or vice versa is just asking for trouble.
It largely depends on the game type and the types of interactions you have in the game.
If showing the character gesture adds to the story, then of course 3rd person is beneficial. Also, if showing the actual use of an object (like a sword) benefits the game, then of course 3rd person view will be better because it gives you a better view of the actual use of the object.
But I generally find 1st person more immersive.
What type of game? I like FPS if its a shooter, otherwise, probably 3rd person.
You’re asking a question that in all honestly, is impossible to answer. As said before - it largely depends on the game-play and feel you are looking for. It is almost as vague as asking “What is better, first person shooters or RPGs?” - It is completely subjective.
Like everyone else is saying it REALLY depends on the gameplay. I mean imagine playing dark sector of Gears of War on FPV. Yeah they both are good shooters but (hear comes the defining line…) they both use cover/recover system that would become difficult in any other view then Behind the head third person.
With that said, Rainbow Six: Vegas did the cover system pretty well by switching from 1st person to 3rd person as soon as you got behind cover.
I prefer shooters to be first person and all other games I find better to have a nice 3rd person camera that is far enough away to see everything you are doing. Something similar to Metal Arms: Glitch in the System or Prince of Persia. A camera with the perfect distance to be as close as possible but still allow you to see everything you need to.
I’m not really asking what is better. Neither can properly simulate a real eye view, and both have their advantages and disadvantages in games.
I’m asking what people prefer to use. And gameplay type aside, I think people often do have a preference for one or the other. For instance, I really like FPV, and I wish it was more common to use it in RPGs. I wanted to see what other people thought.
Thanks all for the replies and votes so far.
i like both views. but to me the 3rd person view is deeper and more console-ish. i like a good low angle over the shoulder cam like gow, graw,res 5. the unity 3 boot camp demo has a pretty good cam. 3rd person view with over shoulder zoon aiming.
I think it is totally a matter of gameplay vs art direction vs preference. I like both. What I really like is when I can swap between the two, always think that is a cool feature, no matter what game 
I prefer 5th person view! :-0
5th person view? you mean something like this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpwn7MxCMVI
If it’s a story-driven game, or a game that focuses on developing your character’s stats (i.e. an RPG), then third-person is the way to go.
If it’s a game entirely based on the skill of the player, or you’d like it to be very immersive, then first-person.
Agreed, 100%!
If there’s melee then FPS usually doesn’t give you enough peripheral vision. But is obviously good for shooting. I tend to prefer 3rd person with a FPS option when targeting.
Since I’m more into Fantasy than modern day or scifi and don’t like magic I lean more towards 3rd person.
I have to say third person over shoulder offers a good blend for both ranged and melee, but I prefer one or the other (switching is good!) depending on what I’m doing. First person for shooting is usually good, but exploiting cover and using melee weapons I prefer a third person camera to focus on most of my character and the nearby environment I’m focusing on.
wow, the votes are tied 
25% each
thats cool.
Third person view seems to be more popular with younger gamers. This is probably because of consoles and action figure toys.
And it’s why I totally dislike the third person view games. I just feel I’m playing with an action figure like back when I was a 10 years old.
But I do agree with others in that third person gives a wider view of the world, while the first person view on a monitor isn’t too dissimilar to running around looking through a cardboard box with the bottom cut out - i.e very little peripheral vision.