First or Third Person?

#1 Well, I know in our current project we're actually doing both. It just depends on the current mission you are in. Some missions will allow you the option to switch between first and third person, some you'll have to be in first person, some you'll have to be in third.

We're thinking it allows players to play a bit more how they want to with the ability to switch. At least in several areas, it gives them the option.

#2 In my experience, there's always folks who love one mode and hate the other. It's always a good idea to let the player toggle between the two, even if the difference in viewpoints is relatively minor. (Your third person view doesn't necessarily have to be distant.)

#3 Didnt think about that, I just want the player to be able to get that adrenaline rush and see the eye candy too.

#4 I have found there is a difference in level design for 3rd person POV, one must build things 'larger' to get the right look and feel. But then you switch to first persion view and the player feels small.
In a 3D game bad scale is the first thing people will notice (followed close with bad texture alignment). How often do you see a 15 foot high doorway in real life? Or a 50 foot tall cottage? In 3rd person view a 15 foot high doorway will not look and feel wrong, but switch to first person view and one feels like a mouse. In first person mode a 8 foot high doorway is about right, but in 3rd person 8feet feels cramped.
Also in 3rd person the view area is larger, so once more level design needs to be more thoughtful, think of a nice little path in the woods, in first person view its much easier to build the illusion of a thick forest with lush undergrowth.
Of course as John mentions above, the view distance when in 3rd person mode is the deciding factor. My project use the mouse wheel to move the view in/out from 10 feet behind the player to a foot in front of the player(for close up examination of things) and my game is a slow paced story/adventure game NOT a action/shooter game.

#5 As long as it is a good game, I can enjoy a 3rd-person game just as much as a first-person. I think that 3rd-person works a little better if you have platform elements or want the player to be able to dodge things. First-person is a little more action oriented and good at giving you that adrenaline rush (as you stated).

I would take a look at what you are trying to sell in this game. If you are trying to establish the character that the player controls as an identifiable IP then I would lean towards 3rd-person as it allows you to see the person you are playing. If you are more concerned with the setting that the game inhabits (or if the character is generic, or something the player creates on their own) then I would lean towards first-person.

I think Caylo is absolutely right, in that there are differences in design between 3rd and first-person that would warrant not trying to give the player the option to choose. I feel you need to pick one POV and tailer your game to it rather than try and satisfy the needs of both and then wind up with something that doesn't quite work for either one.

Just look at what you want to accomplish and then pick one : )

#6 Also, billboard foliage works better in a third person game than first person. in my opinion, billboards should never be used for grass or foliage for a first person game.

#7 After reading all this, I think Im choosing third, since I can add more features to it, and I can still have everything I wanted for a first person, just gotta add something to make it give that same adrenaline rush. Thanks everyone!