CASHMERECAT'S PROFILE

@EzekielRage I'll try Bahamut Between Light and Shadow just because it looks cool.

@Marrend Yeah. Turns out I had downloaded a previous version of Okiku that didn't include the second island. I thought it was a bit short!

@unity Yep. I better write the review today. I'm a procrastinator!

I think it's really hard to take criticism sometimes. Because you're putting a whole lot of yourself into the work, and it's like the work is a part of you. So by criticizing the piece, they're criticizing you as a person. But you just have to learn that, if the criticism is good, and you can honestly evaluate it and say that it may be correct, then you can change for the better. And don't get disheartened. Always create!

author=LockeZ

author=CashmereCat
I want to be able to figure it out on my own, and when I can't figure out on my own, I blame the developer. It's his fault for not designing it so I can figure it out myself and feel smart.

This is the developer's job, I think. Subconsciously direct the player to the parts of the game that you want them to discover. The trick is to be discreet enough that they feel smart.

Perhaps the best way to express these thoughts is to make me (the player) feel like I'm figuring out on my own even when I'm not. I think perhaps by hand-holding, I'm meaning that the game's telling me to do something that I should be figuring out myself. e.g. The game says, "Push boulders onto switches to unlock gates." But part of the puzzle is actually figuring that out. You might as well tell me the solution. Stop holding my hand! That kind of thing.

@InfectionFiles This totally wasn't aimed at you. I haven't started playing Infection yet (sorry!) but it is on my list ;).

I've been thinking... what is the right balance of free-roaming and handholding? For example, you can have a non-linear level. But then where is the direction in this level? And what even is the goal? And how do you establish said goal?

I'm all about making sure that you're not holding the players' hand, while at the same time ensuring they know exactly what to do at any given moment. Because you're going to have to hand-hold in some way or another. But as a player, I hate this. I want to be able to figure it out on my own, and when I can't figure out on my own, I blame the developer. It's his fault for not designing it so I can figure it out myself and feel smart.

How do you hand-hold the player?

Hee hee