quinn@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Clark Quinn) (02/14/91)
As both an interested gamer and as a researcher in cognitive problem-solving and user-system interaction, I am interested in opinions on the various games available in the categories of adventure and fantasy games, and on comparisons of their interfaces. I am also looking for suggestions of an introductory fantasy game, presumably the type with a group of adventurers, incorporating a useable interface, a coherent plot with fairly reasonable puzzles (I'm just a novice, despite my interest), and a robust game that doesn't crash on Mac II's. Color (unfortunately) isn't important, in fact is unavailable. As more background, I have been developing an adventure game for cognitive research (in HyperCard). The purpose of this approach is to use the motivating and thematics aspects of adventure games to provide a more "natural" environment for problem-solving than is typically found in standard experiments. I have previously been involved in educational computer game writing back in the days before the Mac, doing things like FaceMaker on the Apple II. I always wanted to do adventure games, but the higher-ups always believed they wouldn't sell. Now, having received a doctorate in cog psych, I am able to pursue the research *I* want to do. This includes using games as research environments and, eventually, as learning environments. I also have an interest in applications of cognition to the design of useable computer systems, extending from trying to make the games playable and fun to my work with Donald Norman and the Human-Machine Interaction lab in grad school. As a part of this, I am interested in looking at a variety of interfaces; to categorize and understand what works and what doesn't. I have played MacMoria, Theldrow, and the Mindscape games (Shadowgate, Uninvited), and am familiar with their interfaces, but would like to explore a couple more. I've heard discussions on various interfaces for games in this group before, comparing Citadel with Might and Magic, etc. I would like to solicit some comparisons from people who have played more than one and have some opinions on what works and what doesn't. To illustrate, there are goals players need to achieve, and mechanisms that games provide for accomplishing them. For example, one goal is to move around through the environment. The Mindscape games provide an area on the screen which lists the various available exits, and also a graphic representation of the scene. Players can click on the exit map, double click on the pictorial representation of the exit, or type in a direction command. Theldrow, on the other hand, has you click to turn in the direction you want to face (revealing a different view from each direction), and then click in the center to move once the desired direction is revealed. To haggle over purchase price in Moria, you type in the new amount you are offering and comments from the shopkeeper provides limited feedback, while in Theldrow you simply choose between the three choices of: "Haggle", which decrements the offer; "Accept", which accepts the currently displayed price; or "Reject"; all the while a graphic depiction of the shopkeepers face provides feedback about the status of negotiations. (A side note: I detest haggling in games, if I want reality I'll go shopping in a Mexican bazaar. I play games to *escape* reality!) I plan to analyze and compare the goals games encompass and the various means provided for accomplishing those goals. I eventually hope to acquire and play a variety of the games available, although I haven't yet figured out where the funding is coming from. I'm going to purchase one on my own (hence the request for suggestions), but academic salaries are too low to support an intensive habit. Anyways, I would greatly appreciate any comments that you might direct my way. If anyone cares to offer more detailed comparisons, I'll happily attribute thanks in any papers that come from this, or repay in writeups I can offer on either: places to see/eat in San Diego; recipes/discussions for Chili Verde, BBQ Sauce, Jambalaya, or Gumbo; a primer on Whisky (with a focus on Single Malt Scotches); or a comparison of snowboarding to skiing, surfing, and skateboarding. Thanks, -- Clark ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clark N. Quinn (412) 624-9581 Learning Research and Development Center quinn@unix.cis.pitt.edu University of Pittsburgh quinn@pittunix.bitnet Pittsburgh, PA 15260