Comments on: My Love/Hate Relationship with Adventure Games http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/ Thank you and have a lovely day. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:06:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: funkadillo http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-9099 funkadillo Sun, 23 Dec 2007 08:36:53 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-9099 Yeah, I think some people may be underestimating the classic elements, and I completely agree with "Management" on their point that story should come first. I also agree that an adventure game with standard (or even exceptional) mechanics but with a poor story is not very fun. I have no problem, in theory, with "adventure games" going against the conventional interface like Indigo Prophecy did, but more often than not they end up creating a game that is not fun to play through, even if the story is exceptional. This wound up to be the case with Indigo Prophecy. The storyline is exceptional, as is the revolutionary amount of different ways things can be done and the way the story can change based on choices the player makes. But if the game becomes too diffiicult or cumbersome then its harmfulness can outway the fun of the story. So really, I think if story does come first to a developer, unless they're damn sure their system will be an improvement over the standards, it seems like they may as well stick with what has been proven to work, as clearly the standard interface does not get in the way of telling a good, interactive story. Yeah, I think some people may be underestimating the classic elements, and I completely agree with “Management” on their point that story should come first. I also agree that an adventure game with standard (or even exceptional) mechanics but with a poor story is not very fun.

I have no problem, in theory, with “adventure games” going against the conventional interface like Indigo Prophecy did, but more often than not they end up creating a game that is not fun to play through, even if the story is exceptional.

This wound up to be the case with Indigo Prophecy. The storyline is exceptional, as is the revolutionary amount of different ways things can be done and the way the story can change based on choices the player makes. But if the game becomes too diffiicult or cumbersome then its harmfulness can outway the fun of the story.

So really, I think if story does come first to a developer, unless they’re damn sure their system will be an improvement over the standards, it seems like they may as well stick with what has been proven to work, as clearly the standard interface does not get in the way of telling a good, interactive story.

]]> By: The Management http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-6359 The Management Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:42:11 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-6359 Yeah, I know. I used to work there. :) Yeah, I know. I used to work there. :)

]]> By: Zachary http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-6356 Zachary Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:28:12 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-6356 You make a very good point. The only adventure games still left with a sole are "Sam and Max" and "Ankh" You can download those games at www.telltalegames.com Thease are popssible the only "Real" adventure games left. You make a very good point. The only adventure games still left with a sole are “Sam and Max” and “Ankh” You can download those games at http://www.telltalegames.com Thease are popssible the only “Real” adventure games left.

]]> By: The Management http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-6126 The Management Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:04:52 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-6126 I couldn't care less about adventure games as a genre, so I think people can and should make whatever the hell kinds of games they want, to put it bluntly. "Classic elements" are only important to the extent that they help you put your messages across clearly and effectively; if one feels that a story is better told using action sequences, then so be it. I won't put down a game just for having non-standard gameplay, but I WILL feel rather indignant if I feel that there's no reason for its existence other than the fact that it's gimmicky in an attempt to be "innovative". (And also if the controls are clunky, but that's just bad game design. And for the record, I'm just as likely to slam a contrived inventory puzzle; just because it imitates a "classic" doesn't make it any good!) It's worth mentioning that I haven't played Indigo Prophecy, however. Though from what I've seen, the DDR sequences seem rather inappropriate. I hypothesize that the designers should have been able to implement a less stupid way of heightening tension. I couldn’t care less about adventure games as a genre, so I think people can and should make whatever the hell kinds of games they want, to put it bluntly. “Classic elements” are only important to the extent that they help you put your messages across clearly and effectively; if one feels that a story is better told using action sequences, then so be it. I won’t put down a game just for having non-standard gameplay, but I WILL feel rather indignant if I feel that there’s no reason for its existence other than the fact that it’s gimmicky in an attempt to be “innovative”. (And also if the controls are clunky, but that’s just bad game design. And for the record, I’m just as likely to slam a contrived inventory puzzle; just because it imitates a “classic” doesn’t make it any good!)

It’s worth mentioning that I haven’t played Indigo Prophecy, however. Though from what I’ve seen, the DDR sequences seem rather inappropriate. I hypothesize that the designers should have been able to implement a less stupid way of heightening tension.

]]> By: Spencer http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-6124 Spencer Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:34:14 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-6124 I have a question, how important are the "classic elements"? By this I mean, sure, Cubert Badbone and TGTTPOACS had interesting, humorous stories, and I notice you stuck to "Story, Puzzles, Characters, and 2D Point and Click". That's fine, but what do you think of deep, involving adventures like "Indigo Prophecy"? That game had story and characters, all right, but puzzles were apparently simplistic/non-existent and it had () 3D graphics and COMBAT. Not to mention the "keyboard crashers" where you hit the arrows in a "Dance Dance Revoloution from Hell" sequence, where missing too many resulted in death. It was heralded by Just Adventure+ as a fantastic breakthrough in adventuring, while others screamed it was pure treason to the Adventure genre. What do you think of this sort of breakaway from "classic adventures"? I have a question, how important are the “classic elements”? By this I mean, sure, Cubert Badbone and TGTTPOACS had interesting, humorous stories, and I notice you stuck to “Story, Puzzles, Characters, and 2D Point and Click”. That’s fine, but what do you think of deep, involving adventures like “Indigo Prophecy”? That game had story and characters, all right, but puzzles were apparently simplistic/non-existent and it had () 3D graphics and COMBAT. Not to mention the “keyboard crashers” where you hit the arrows in a “Dance Dance Revoloution from Hell” sequence, where missing too many resulted in death. It was heralded by Just Adventure+ as a fantastic breakthrough in adventuring, while others screamed it was pure treason to the Adventure genre. What do you think of this sort of breakaway from “classic adventures”?

]]> By: The Management http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-5865 The Management Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:26:56 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-5865 I agree. I agree.

]]> By: ad7venture http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-5862 ad7venture Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:28:20 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-5862 I would say polling is pretty dangerous when doing a game. Instead of asking what other people like, it's best to analyze what you like and why. I would say polling is pretty dangerous when doing a game. Instead of asking what other people like, it’s best to analyze what you like and why.

]]> By: The Management http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-5267 The Management Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:38:53 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-5267 Argiris: First of all, thanks for stopping by and checking out my site. Second of all, good luck with what you're doing. I think what I've said applies to casual gamers as well, perhaps even moreso. Focus on telling a good story rather than adhering to game mechanics, and you'll likely get a larger audience. Rikard: I'm glad you think so. Argiris: First of all, thanks for stopping by and checking out my site. Second of all, good luck with what you’re doing. I think what I’ve said applies to casual gamers as well, perhaps even moreso. Focus on telling a good story rather than adhering to game mechanics, and you’ll likely get a larger audience.

Rikard: I’m glad you think so.

]]> By: Rikard http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-5266 Rikard Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:21:12 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-5266 I think I know your standpoint on this pretty well by now, and I believe that's a healthy view for a game designer to hold. I think I know your standpoint on this pretty well by now, and I believe that’s a healthy view for a game designer to hold.

]]> By: Argiris from Total Eclipse http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/comment-page-1/#comment-5265 Argiris from Total Eclipse Fri, 27 Jul 2007 18:55:16 +0000 http://www.deirdrakiai.com/2007/07/27/my-lovehate-relationship-with-adventure-games/#comment-5265 Deidra, I'd like to thank you for your reply to my post on the Adventure Gamers forums. The reason I'm polling the audience is because I'd like to see what each fan thinks they like or not in adventure games, or what they think constitutes an adventure game. For the moment our target group is the casual games audience which is very different from the hardcore players, so I'm interested to see the perspective of these players in an attempt to see what it would take to bring adventures in the casual scene. I agree with what you said about finding a way to present an adventure differently than how it was done in the past and that's the trick really. Get the best from the games of the past and re-invent the genre, giving people something new which at the same time seems familiar enough to make them get into it instantly. I'll keep watching your articles. They're interesting! Be well and happy designing! ;o) Argiris Deidra, I’d like to thank you for your reply to my post on the Adventure Gamers forums.

The reason I’m polling the audience is because I’d like to see what each fan thinks they like or not in adventure games, or what they think constitutes an adventure game.

For the moment our target group is the casual games audience which is very different from the hardcore players, so I’m interested to see the perspective of these players in an attempt to see what it would take to bring adventures in the casual scene.

I agree with what you said about finding a way to present an adventure differently than how it was done in the past and that’s the trick really.

Get the best from the games of the past and re-invent the genre, giving people something new which at the same time seems familiar enough to make them get into it instantly.

I’ll keep watching your articles. They’re interesting!

Be well and happy designing! ;o)

Argiris

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