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Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 08:29:03 -0500
From: John Colagioia <JColagioia@csi.com>
Organization: No Conspiracy Here...
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Subject: Re: Driving in a car
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Andrew MacKinnon wrote:

> I'm just wondering which interface for driving people prefer.
> 1. Use the "drive to x" verb.
> 2. Use 'east/west' navigation.
> 3. Use a more complex kind of navigation. The car is going, and you can
> go ahead, left or right. You will automatically stop at traffic
> lights/stop signs and go, so that's not a problem, and you can turn
> curves automatically.

I look at it this way:  If you're in doubt, the answer is the simplest
option for the player (in this case, your option #1), because it's the
least intrusive--which means that none of the players will curse you--and
it's the least amount of programming, most likely--which means you have
more of a chance of finishing the game in a timely manner.

However, if there is a compelling reason to choose another option (for
example, the player is just getting the hang of driving in the area, and
will be permitted to use the simpler options as s/he progresses), then by
all means implement what makes sense.

I should point out one simpler solution, though:  "Abandon" the car
completely, and just mention it in small "cut scenes" when moving between
long distances:
    ] GO TO THE MALL
    It is such a beautiful day that you actually consider walking the five
miles, but
    you are in a bit of a hurry, today.  So, you jump in the car, turn onto
the main
    strip, and get to the mall with only two or three near-death
experiences.
    Amazingly, the parking lot is fairly empty this afternoon, so you get a
nice
    spot only a few yards from the...

    Mall Entrance
    ]
That is, unless I need the car for something else in the game (like to set
the mood and show progression, as described above), I'd just as soon not
have to deal with it at all.


