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From: "John Colagioia" <JColagioia@csi.com>
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Subject: Re: Object Searching
Date: Sat, 03 Aug 2002 17:24:30 -0400
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Joao Mendes <public.email@anywhere.invalid> wrote:
>Hey, :)
>Carl Muckenhoupt <carl@wurb.com> wrote in
>news:MPG.17b4b261891c0ece989713@News.CIS.DFN.DE:
>> This is essentially how the Infocom mysteries treated the SEARCH
>> command.  SEARCH <noun> would turn up one hidden item at a time, but
>> the player would have no control over what turned up.  SEARCH <noun>
>> FOR <noun> would limit the search.
>Personally, I dislike this. I consider it to be an example of AGAIN abuse,
>of which more was spoken on another thread.

I agree that, if you find *actual things*, then this
amounts to dirty pool.

If they're not actual game objects, though, you're doing
two things:  First, you're indicating to the player that
he's doing something useless.  Second, you're giving the
persistent player something extra to read.  These are
both good features, in my opinion.

[...]
>Basically, I don't like to assume that players have automated reactions...
>But I have noticed that my position is far from unanimous... :)

It all depends on how you lead the player.  You can
probably get a typical player to repeat actions five or
six times, at least once in the game, provided that the
game is good, and that the repetition is cued in an
interesting way.

A simple example.  You, the hero, have concluded (by your
own investigation) that the city below is in danger of
flooding.  You follow the trickling flow of water up the
hill, and...

You finally trace the stream of water back to its source,
where it springs forth from a tiny hole in the wall.
] cover hole

Which hole do you mean, the hole in the ground, or the
hole in the dike?

] dike
You slide your finger into the hole, effectively plugging
up the spouting water. Your moment to savor your victory
is cut short, though, as a second hole forms, allowing
water to leak out once more.

] cover hole in dike
Another clever patching job, using a finger from your
other hand. Unfortunately, there appears to be a trend,
as a third hole forms just barely beyond your reach!

] again
You shift your foot around to cover the hole, but...

and so it goes...

I also loved the time(s) it was used in the Infocom game
that I won't name to limit spoilers...
