[MUD-Dev] The MLI Project

[Ling]

On Mon, 23 Feb 1998, Andrew C.M. McClintock wrote:
> [Ling]
> >On Mon, 23 Feb 1998, Chris Gray wrote:
> >> [Chris L:]
> >
> >> This suggests, however, that having multiple graphics output windows might
> >> be interesting. That way, you could show a magical field strength, as
> >> seen by Boffo, as well as his infra-red view. Similar to previous
> >> discussions as to focal point, you could choose one of the window's to
> >> be clearly redrawn, while the other is less so, because the player does
> >> not have Boffo concentrating on that aspect.

[layers snipped]

> It seems to me that doing all this, even layers, would be more work than is
> at all necessary. If a creature has grown up with infravision, or sonar,
> then they will label an item the same as some one used to human vision.
> E.G. a dog will be recognized as a dog no matter what senses used to
> identify it, because that person is _used_ to recognizing it.

That assumes a setting where the character is running around in vaguely
familiar territory.  A village boy milling around in far away land may see
strange new things.  In Star Trek, some creatures saw humans as ugly bags
of water (perverse but atomically true).  Teenie weenie transmitting spy
cameras could be detected.  How about if the character just received a new
cybernetic eye with all sorts of funky options implant?  This system is
probably best for testing if the player can detect an unusual combination.

I do think there's a majority in this list against making muds awkward to
use in any way.  Rather, all the 'raw' processing is done and presented to
the player which means it'll boil down to IQ tests and limiting character
ability.

It's like the evolution of computer platform games.  It used to be so that
a platformer requiring pixel perfect moves was the norm.  Now that sort of
thing is sneered at.  Games have been made so that it is not possible to
fall off platforms unless such intent is expressed.  An IQ test is
presented instead.  (eg: some sections of Tomb Raider.)

> Forcing the RL player to decipher a picture or representation that they
> are not used to will only take away from gameplay, and wont add anything
> worthwhile (imo). 

Yep, that's why I didn't think I had a lot to add.

> If a player has a device that allows him to see different ranges in the
> spectrum, then perhaps it would be worth it, but i doubt unless it was very
> well done that it would add any to game play.

What would probably not add to the gameplay but to the dept would be the
ability to see other spectrums.  For example, a magic spectrum, not
everyone has an affinity with magic.

A layer system will probably be treated the same as a text description.
Players only switch it on and pay attention to it when exploring,
searching or questing an area.

  |    Ling Lo of Remora (Top Banana)
_O_O_  Elec Eng Dept, Loughborough University, UK.     kllo at iee.org