Kotaku
Another day, another "games should be done like THIS" set of commandments. Far from sounding preachy and slightly self-righteous like others, though, having read this it looks pretty spot-on. Here they are, then: ten rules that FPS games need to adhere to in order to avoid being rubbish:
10. The player must always know the objective
9. Know when to take the training wheels off
8. Players want abilities, not gimmicks
7. The story isn't more important than the game
6. Let the player realize their mistake and survive (sometimes)
5. Make the character's abilities and options suit the world they inhabit
4. No one lives forever
3. The game world is the real world
2. Create a world that invites, encourages, and rewards smart thinking
1. Get into the action early
Don't know about the story one (that's a mighty fine line to tread), but the others all look good to me. Especially #1 - the first time you play Prey the intro is pretty cool (if only for CLUTCH ON THE JUKEBOX), but the second...dear God, it's excruciating.
Hit the link for the full run-down.
The Academic Word: Ten Maxims Every FPS Should Follow [Game Career Guide, via Gamasutra]
