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From: ron@wjvax.UUCP (Ron Christian)
Newsgroups: net.games,net.games.rogue
Subject: Re: Opinion on modifying sources for games  (Fido)
Message-ID: <355@wjvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 14-Feb-85 23:15:12 EST
Article-I.D.: wjvax.355
Posted: Thu Feb 14 23:15:12 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 15-Feb-85 04:28:48 EST
References: <712@uwmacc.UUCP>
Organization: Watkins Johnson, San Jose, Calif.
Lines: 43
Xref: utcs net.games:1461 net.games.rogue:2375

My two cents:

There is more than one kind of difficulty in a game.  A game can
be difficult when it makes you think, or exercises some skill.  A
game can also be difficult by requiring so much patience on the part
of the player that he loses when he gives up.  Like seeing how many
times one can do a repetitive task.  This is not fun, in my opinion.
The strong suits in Hack (and rogue, et. al.) are complexity, and the
level of problem solving.  That is, there are many ways around a particular
problem, even those not considered by the original author.  Repetitive
tasks that a) do not add to the realism of the game, and b) require
no brains or stratagy, should be designed out when possible.

Now:  It's not realistic to assume a tame dog will go wild if I leave
it for a moment, just because my elevation has changed.  This 'feature'
disallows the stratagy of ducking down trap doors or down/up stairs
to escape nasties, which adds to the complexity and enjoyment of the
game.  The random factor seems a bit unfair as well, as the damn dog
often steps on a trap door and ultimately turns on you.  Bah.  Take
it out.  Perhaps a time limit to be off the same level before he goes
wild, but forget it.  Easier to just comment out the code.  You know
what?  People started to actually take their dogs along, instead of
killing them off right away.

Now, as to making the game easier, I don't think I changed that
much.  It *did* make the game less tedious by a whole bunch, which
is what I was after.  I have had as many as five tame animals at
a time.  Try to get them all down the stairs at once!

BTW:  On my machine the two-handed-sword is tops in the weapon
department, just like old rogue.  It still has the disadvantage
of not allowing you to wear a shield, so there!  I plan to
make it a whole lot less effective in corridors, as opposed to
wide open spaces.  This adds to realism.  "Your sword clangs off
the corridor wall.  The Dragon hits!"

In my version there is a remote chance that something ugly will
happen if you wield an unknown two-hander.  You see, I'm a Michael
Moorcock fan......
-- 

	Ron Christian  (Watkins-Johnson Co.  San Jose, Calif.)
	{pesnta,twg,ios,qubix,turtlevax,tymix}!wjvax!ron