Hidden Object Games - Players' Bill of Rights

Feb 8, 2009, 6:29pm

Good article, Jeff!  And I agree completely. Thanks for the preview.

Feb 8, 2009, 6:44pm

Very Good Jeff.

There is a need to keep the hidden objects consistant with the theme of the game.  No Curling Iron or blow dryer in the 14th century!                                                                                                                                                                 Maybe this is under the category of language but there has been so many misspelled words lately.

A torch is also a flashlight in some countries.  I'm looking for something other than a flashlight.

Pipes, electrical wires and gears seem to be the puzzles of choice for the developers lately.  HE: Amazon and Sprill had some very interesting puzzles to solve, monkeys, cobras and so on.  

Length is a big factor for me.  Some of the games seem to be thrown together and are very short and end abruptly.  A nice length in a game will keep the gamers coming back for more from that particular  developer because they know they are getting their moneys worth.  I'm not saying the game has to be super long but when you can play a game, do all the puzzles, in 2-4 hours that is short to me.  I think most games should be 8 hours of play but maybe I'm just wishing and dreaming.

Feb 8, 2009, 6:54pm

Great article, Jeff. You may get another post cuz I was typing one and all of a sudden, I lost it-. Oh well, I'll repeat one of my grave concerns with some of the HO games. Some gmes, the scenes  are sooo dark I can hardly see the objects to find, if at alll. My eye-sight isn't as sharp as it use to be and I have a problem searching in the dark for things. All I found I can do is just keep clicking and at times, that gives me many penalities for clicking. I thank you again for listening us and for sharing your article to offer feedback. Stay safe- Jean     P.S.   I haven't posted for some time now but read this and felt I just had to respond.

Feb 8, 2009, 7:23pm

Great stuff Jeff. 

 Are you  going to mention that some HOGs are also including some point & click ( adventure type) action.  You never know whether to call them adventure or HOGs.

Also, when  there is dialogue or a story line happening you should  have the option to 'skip' it.

Feb 8, 2009, 7:25pm

Hi Jean, how have you been?

Feb 8, 2009, 7:30pm

Thank you Jeff.  I agree with Jean, and it really turns me off when I can't find the item even with a hint because it is so tiny or obscured by another object.  The main object of a game is to entertain not to frustrate.

Feb 8, 2009, 7:38pm

Thanks for all those who have posted feedback. That's what this thread is FOR.

The point about dark/too small/hard-to-find objects is a good one. I hate to have to turn my monitor up to full brightness and contrast in order to play a game. In a dark room. Under a bridge. In the rain.

Also "The main object of a game is to entertain, not to frustrate" EXCELLENT POINT (Carol/Gram209)

I promise to incorporate all your comments into the main article as it develops. This will take time (as all good things do). But I hope to gather a consensus of what we LIKE and DO NOT LIKE about these games. Maybe the Publishers will listen (but probably not).

Feb 8, 2009, 7:39pm

Interesting stuff!

I wrote a post on the issues of proportion and background art back in December in the Mr. Biscuits forum--most of my thoughts on those issues are included in it. 

http://www.gamezebo.com/games/mr-biscuits-case-ocean-pearl/forum/issue-proportion

With regard to whether you need to see the whole object, I have to disagree somewhat on that. It's all in how it's done.  I think, for example, that Steve the Sheriff did a really good job of showing just part of an object, like just the fingers of a glove or one side of a key, while still making the object clearly recognizable.  Of course it helped that in that game almost all the objects were in proportion and relevant to the scene.

  I also agree that objects work best when they fit the time and setting of the game's story, although that's not always necessary--the Hidden Expedition series does a great job of making anachronistic objects amusing rather than annoying.

  Good luck with the project!  

Robin 

Feb 8, 2009, 8:05pm

I am in total agreement with your bill of rights for HO games, especially the language portion which should include spelling. It bugs me no end to find blatant misspellings in games and also other areas, such as business memos, television news, and etc.

Thanks for putting the work into this, who knows maybe the developers will read and acknowledge. Kathy