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From: johnf@apollo.hp.com (John Francis)
Subject: Re: A modest proposal (was: What words to use and recognize)
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Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 20:59:06 GMT
References: <1992Dec17.163944.10997@pollux.lu.se> <BzFA13.Hro@world.std.com> <1992Dec19.132717.4009@pollux.lu.se>
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In article <1992Dec19.132717.4009@pollux.lu.se> magnus@thep.lu.se (Magnus Olsson) writes:
>Therefore, I propose that we add the following command to all new
>adventures: 
>
>SOLVE PUZZLE

Actually, this isn't *quite* such a dumb idea as it seems at first glance.
What might really be worthwhile to add would be

    BYPASS PUZZLE

This would avoid the frustration of being hung up at a particular point
in the game, and allow the player to make at least some further progress.
(S)he wouldn't be able to win, and (s)he wouldn't necessarily get all the
material rewards obtainable by solving the puzzle the 'right' way, but at
least some additional exploration would be possible.

Mind you, I still prefer the approach found in some of the Infocom games
(Wishbringer and Enchanter spring to mind).  In these games you had some
powerful magic item which could be used to 'solve' several of the puzzles
in addition to the 'correct' solution.
-- 
John Francis                                 johnf@apollo.hp.com
with 9 cats to feed, I don't have time to think up a clever .sig
