[MUD-Dev] Text Parsing

[J C Lawrence]

On Mon, 07 Jun 1999 20:23:57 -0700 
Caliban Tiresias Darklock <caliban at darklock.com> wrote:

> On 11:13 AM 6/7/99 -0500, I personally witnessed Travis S. Casey
> jumping up to say:

> Seriously, if your help is easily accessible and well-organised,
> you don't have to lead anyone by the nose.

I would counter that it is neccessary for a good user interface (be
that to the game or game world) to make it reasonably clear to the
player what his options are at any point as well as what actions
*might* be useful (even if they aren't).

>> 3 - A common pitfall of newbie areas is that they're insulting.

> I personally think it goes a long way if you just come right out
> and say that your game is hard. Be friendly. "Yes, this is a hard
> game to learn, but it's worth the effort." This has two major
> effects. If the player is having an easy time of it, he feels
> smart and successful. If he's having difficulty, he feels like
> he's not alone in that.

I've long been a fan of the concept of the game "Diplomacy".  I
don't own a copy, I've never done more than read Diplomacy web sites
and commentaries on the rules.  Frankly, I find myself rather in awe
of the game.  Certainly I've withheld myself from it partially due
to the fact that I realise how complex, difficult, and
time-consuming it would be learn, let alone gain even a pitiful
ability at.  It doesn't stop the attraction however, not for me.  It
certainly does for my wife and most of my game playing associates.


>> 4 - Determining when somebody isn't a newbie any more can be
>> difficult.

> Hey, I find it easy... they stop asking for help and (hopefully)
> start offering it. ;)

Loosely: effort_in is finally less than effort_out, or if you wish,
support costs are finally less than revenues.

--
J C Lawrence                                   Home: claw at kanga.nu
---------(*)                Linux/IA64 - Work: claw at varesearch.com
 ... Beware of cromagnons wearing chewing gum and palm pilots ...


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