[X] brainstorm and list first bunch of requirements
[X] brainstorm and list first bunch of implementation options
[ ] brainstorm and list first draft for instructions/help information content
[X] first assessment of applicability of options with regards to requirements
[ ] brainstorm and list first design drafts for presenting information
[ ] add "extensibility" requirement (e.g. introduction of Towers might add more need for in-game help, but might need optional)
:mag_right: Problem Space
:checkered_flag: Goal
Give the player some means to remember in-game how the gameplay works and what the important controls are
:spiral_notepad: Requirements
R1 - Accessible: easily and quickly accessible
R2 - Intelligible: easy to understand, grasp and memorize
R2 - Optional: on-demand, not mandatory to look at
R3 - Maintainable: easy to adjust in case of key binding changes etc.
R1 - Accessible
LaS is designed to be fast-paced game
player does not have much time to access information without being attacked or losing momentum
ideally permanently visible on screen or accessible with a single click or key stroke
if not permanently visible, either non-blocking (surroundings still visible, movement still works, etc.) or only temporary access (i.e. timed or while holding a key)
R2 - Intelligible
same time-related reasoning as for R1
ideally player doesn't need to read a lot of text but is able to grasp info with single glance
no continuous text, bullet points at best
rather leverage icons, symbols, images
ideally have all information in one place, no multiple pages / tabs / screens the player needs to look through to find what they're looking for
R3 - Optional
players that play frequently or have good memory don't need the information
tutorials / screens that auto-start/-show and need to be explicitly skipped are annoying (IMO)
this kind of counters permanently visible solutions mentioned in R1
R4 - Maintainable
key bindings, controls, gameplay elements can change
if adjusting the instructions/help info is too complicated / too much effort it will end up not being done and we'll end up with incorrect and misleading instead of helpful information
"too much effort" example: (non-vector) images with specific keys / controls that need to be re-drawn or fiddled with for instance in Gimp
ToDos:
Towers
might add more need for in-game help, but might need optional):mag_right: Problem Space
:checkered_flag: Goal
Give the player some means to remember in-game how the gameplay works and what the important controls are
:spiral_notepad: Requirements
R1 - Accessible
R2 - Intelligible
R3 - Optional
R4 - Maintainable
:bulb: Solution Space
Books
Journal
Notifications
Dialogs
InGameHelp
S1 -
Books
Screenshot from Lost (starting inventory item):
Accessible :heavy_minus_sign: :heavy_minus_sign:
Intelligible :shrug:
Optional :heavy_plus_sign: :heavy_plus_sign:
Maintainable :shrug:
S2 -
Journal
Screenshot from Lost (accessible on key "J"):
Accessible :heavy_plus_sign:
Intelligible :shrug:
Optional :heavy_plus_sign:
Maintainable :shrug:
S3 -
Notifications
Screenshot from JoshariasSurvival (present at game start):
Accessible :heavy_plus_sign: :heavy_plus_sign:
Intelligible :heavy_minus_sign:
Optional :shrug:
Maintainable :heavy_plus_sign:
S4 -
Dialogs
Screenshot from Light & Shadow (appears on talking to Fool (
E
) on spawn platform)Accessible :heavy_minus_sign: :heavy_minus_sign:
Intelligible :shrug:
Optional :heavy_plus_sign: :heavy_plus_sign:
Maintainable :heavy_plus_sign:
S5 -
InGameHelp
Screenshot from JoshariasSurvival (accessible on key "P"):
Accessible :heavy_plus_sign:
Intelligible :shrug:
Optional :heavy_plus_sign:
Maintainable :shrug:
S6 - Custom Temporary On-Demand UI Screen
Screenshot from Light & Shadow (accessible on key "G", try it out yourself to experience the "temporary" part):
Accessible :heavy_plus_sign:
Intelligible :shrug:
Optional :heavy_plus_sign:
Maintainable :shrug:
S7 - Custom Permanent UI Widget
Screenshot from Metal Renegades (
Minimap
):Accessible :heavy_plus_sign: :heavy_plus_sign:
Intelligible ( :heavy_minus_sign: )
Optional :heavy_plus_sign: / :heavy_minus_sign:
Maintainable ( :heavy_plus_sign: )
S8 - Loading Screen Hints
Screenshot from Light & Shadow:
Accessible :heavy_minus_sign: :heavy_minus_sign:
Intelligible :shrug:
Optional ( :heavy_minus_sign: )
Maintainable :heavy_minus_sign: :heavy_minus_sign:
S9 - Conditional Screen Overlay
Screenshot from Light & Shadow (when coming close to the fool on the spawn platform):
Accessible ( :heavy_plus_sign: )
Intelligible :heavy_plus_sign:
Optional :heavy_minus_sign: :heavy_minus_sign:
Maintainable :heavy_plus_sign: