I'm a newcomer to the IF authoring scene. I've played many
types of games -- including text-adventure games -- for
many years, but only lately have I come up with some workable
ideas (and the nerve) to sit down and write one myself. Right
now I'm in the process of debugging my first attempt (it's
only AGT, but I wanted to start slow), and meanwhile I'm
swimming in ideas for my next one -- while trying to decide
which system to use. (But that, of course, is a very different
topic.)
I've read just about all the info I could FTP from GMD about
IF authoring -- and I thank all of you who have worked to put
your thoughts together for the rest of us to take advantage of.
I found lots of hints and tips on creating believable NPCs,
consistant storylines and gripping plots. But there is one
area that didn't seem to be touched on very much, and it's an
area in which I feel I may be weakest: puzzles.
What I'm looking for is some sort of catagorization or outline
of different types of puzzles, as has been done with other IF
topics such as atmosphere, plot, etc. I'm not extremely
interested in puzzles which have no connection to the game
other than something like, "Well, he's a paranoid old wizard --
*of course* he has lots of bizarre puzzle-like traps scattered
randomly throughout his home." There's certainly room for
these kinds of games, and I know lots of people crave them,
but I myself have never really enjoyed games which created the
universe around the puzzle instead of the other way around.
So anyway, I'd appreciate any information and pointers you all
can give me. If I've missed a discussion you already had,
please point me in the right direction.
Thanks.
-- Guy
guy.marquardt@mandic.com.br