Comments on: “Where Can I Get More Ammunition?” http://www.gameproducer.net/2010/02/20/where-can-i-get-more-ammunition/ I bake games. Indie style. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:09:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Katherine http://www.gameproducer.net/2010/02/20/where-can-i-get-more-ammunition/comment-page-1/#comment-139285 Katherine Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:23:52 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=4164#comment-139285 There will always be someone that can't figure out a puzzle you've put in the game. Even (especially?) if they can't progress until they figure it out. Good idea to put out a spoiler video once people start having problems, then people that don't want it to be spoiled will (hopefully) figure it out before they see the spoiler. A lot of casual flash puzzle-ish games are coming out with walkthrough videos now... There will always be someone that can’t figure out a puzzle you’ve put in the game. Even (especially?) if they can’t progress until they figure it out. Good idea to put out a spoiler video once people start having problems, then people that don’t want it to be spoiled will (hopefully) figure it out before they see the spoiler.

A lot of casual flash puzzle-ish games are coming out with walkthrough videos now…

]]> By: hermitC http://www.gameproducer.net/2010/02/20/where-can-i-get-more-ammunition/comment-page-1/#comment-139280 hermitC Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:10:50 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=4164#comment-139280 The Zelda games are very good at telling players how to use gadgets or moves. When you get a new gadget like the bombs the next puzzle is simply a single crack in the wall of an empty room. There is no "noise" like enemies or stuff only useful with other gadgets. This leads the players attention to the crack while the impression of "getting the bombs" is still fresh. Crack + bomb = ? ... let's get surprised! The psychology behind puzzle creation is very exciting but also tough. Needs much experience and patience. I'm not a pro but I try to follow the good examples like Shigeru Miyamoto's. PS: What about making surprises optional? The Zelda games are very good at telling players how to use gadgets or moves. When you get a new gadget like the bombs the next puzzle is simply a single crack in the wall of an empty room. There is no “noise” like enemies or stuff only useful with other gadgets. This leads the players attention to the crack while the impression of “getting the bombs” is still fresh. Crack + bomb = ? … let’s get surprised!

The psychology behind puzzle creation is very exciting but also tough. Needs much experience and patience. I’m not a pro but I try to follow the good examples like Shigeru Miyamoto’s.

PS: What about making surprises optional?

]]> By: Jake Birkett http://www.gameproducer.net/2010/02/20/where-can-i-get-more-ammunition/comment-page-1/#comment-139273 Jake Birkett Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:17:25 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=4164#comment-139273 A common trick is to force the player to learn a technique in a controlled environment before allowing them to progress. Then after that they will hopefully remember the technique and apply it on their own if they get stuck. For example, I was playing Shadowgrounds the other day and early on I saw some cool gun but it was behind boxes and I couldn't figure out how to get it. Later in the game I couldn't proceed to the next part of the level as some boxes were in the way. It was only then that I shot the boxes and noticed they could be destroyed and then realised how dumb I'd been earlier on when I saw the cool gun. A common trick is to force the player to learn a technique in a controlled environment before allowing them to progress. Then after that they will hopefully remember the technique and apply it on their own if they get stuck.

For example, I was playing Shadowgrounds the other day and early on I saw some cool gun but it was behind boxes and I couldn’t figure out how to get it. Later in the game I couldn’t proceed to the next part of the level as some boxes were in the way. It was only then that I shot the boxes and noticed they could be destroyed and then realised how dumb I’d been earlier on when I saw the cool gun.

]]>