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[Scarpia]

Hi. As a few of you have already discovered, I have been working on an article lately, on the topic of Applied Puzzle Theory. Well, it is just about finished (like 95%), so I've put it on my website now, for all to enjoy.

Even the few who have read it already should revisit, since the additions in today's upload are about 50%, thanks to the great feedback I've gotten from people in the independent game developer community.

The article is at junk.dk/puzzle, and everyone is welcome to post their critique or suggestions.


Scarpia

[Brassfire]

Thanks, Scarpia. I've got the main plot outline, but haven't yet solidly paid attention to puzzles and side quests. This is going to be really useful.

[obleo]

Very nice article Scarpia!  You have definately put a lot of thought and work into it.  It has certainly gotten my wheels spinning for my game.

Thanks for the effort and for sharing it with us.

[Mnemonic]

That link gives me a 404 error  

[Jerrot]

That link gives me a 404 error  

Works fine here, maybe just some DNS problem...

[Scarpia]

Hmm. My web host is messing sround with stuff they don't understand, so now my site has gone offline twice in a week. They suck.

But it works again now, phew..


Scarpia

[Ionias]

A very good read indeed!

[Dawson]

This is a good article, its helped me a bit.

[McCoy]

Wow, is really great. In fact, I think it's so good that i'm translating it to spanish for the other members of my team (they dont't know a lot of english...). If you want a copy, just ask me.

[Scarpia]

McCoy: That's really flattering, sure I'd like a copy (although I don't understand much spanish, I might put it on the same site and interlink between the two versions, I think that could be nice. Also, if there's anything you find missing or wrong, ideas, suggestions, don't hesitate to let me know.

Scarpia

[McCoy]

Allright, I'll send you a copy as soon as I'm back to Spain.  

[Bearded Artisan]

Hi,

I've been fooling around with amateur adventure game ideas for yonks now, ever since I fell in love with the format as a kid.  Now, looking at the impressive, ever-developing Wintermute engine, I'm tempted to try and bring one to life!

So I read your article and found it extremely incisive and useful - an excellent demonstration and reference for how variety can be the spice of your game!  I had just a few suggestions ...

*  What about "Double Character" puzzles, i.e. Sam 'n' Max, the Indy games, the Dig, BASS etc. where you have to get your friend to do something you can't?  Obviously not applicable to every game (and probably not most amateur games) but it's another way to go ...

*  Might be interesting to have a "How NOT To" section ... Discworld 1 and Simon the Sorceror 2 would be ripe for that ...

*  Just a teensy point - there's an insult swordfight in every Monkey Island game EXCEPT II.  But I'm sure everyone knows what you mean.

Right, this post is much longer than I intended ... anyway, thanks for a great article and for inspiration!