How much is enough?

ID:153576
 
Sep 15 2003, 4:40 am
I have been struggling with the question of how much information should you give a player. If you over load him, then that will be bad, if you give him not enough, that will also be bad. So where is the happy medium? (Sorry for the cliche).

There are several mobs, near the beginning of the game, to help give instructions. One mob gives all of this information, if you ask it all 4 questions :

Young Earth Warden Larick : Good good, also good to see a fellow interested in feeding himself.
Larick : In this land there are many foods, and delicacies!
Larick : The Earth provides all of these for you!
And if you serve the Earth well the Earth will help you in return! However, if you harm the Earth and scar it's beautiful face, you will be lucky to be spared a mere apple!

Larick : Now I shall teach you how to forage and feed yourself.
Larick : See the Berry bushes down there? The Earth has provided these for you, for me, for everyone!
Larick : To pick some berries you must walk over to the bush, and click on the 'Other' panel, then click on 'Pick berries'
Larick : The bushes are magical and should grow some more berries quickly, however they cannot grow them back instantly, so be patient!!
Larick : Could I tell you about the Earth King???
Larick : Of course I can!!! I'm an Earth Warden aren't I?
Larick : Anyway... Yes I can tell you about the Earth King. The tale is this:
A long time ago, over 3 millenia ago, the Dark and Fire Powers got too powerful for the worlds good.
With these Powers flourishing, their chosen beings flourished too. Mainly the reavers, snakes and Darklings.
Because of these terrible creature the Duskins were in terrible danger. And so an Earth King arised, given power and life from the Power Earth itself.
With his lended powers of the Earth, Geboren Val Orden, vanquished thousands of reavers, and tens of Darklings.
However, Val Orden, and his human army were not quick enough to save the Duskins, and all of them were killed.
Leaving the dominant species as humans.
Had Val Orden not saved us, there would not be the world Dolores.
Gokuss4neo : What are these 'Duskins'?
Larick : You do not know of the Duskins!?!
Larick : The Duskins were an amazing race, the favoured chosen specie of the Earth.
Larick : They were the dominant species. They were incredibly intelligent, and closely resembled short, stumpy humans.
Gokuss4neo : Why wasn't the Earth King a Duskin?
Larick : No-one knows that answer, apart from the Power Earth itself. It always know best however, so do not argue!
Larick : Earth Element? EARTH ELEMENT??? There is NO Earth Element!!
Larick : There is only the Power Earth, or the Earth Power, however you wish to phrase it.
Larick : It is the Power that rules the land, the plants on the land, and the animals of the land.
Larick : That includes you!
Larick : It is the Earth that provides your food, unless you have got a bird or a fish for your food.
Larick : Then why do you stand before me?
Larick : You have the Earth's blessing, now may you move on?


Is this too much? All of this information is very relevant.

Also, another question. I am using usr << " " to tell the player all of this. I don't like using Alert because that means the player HAS to read ALL of it, instead of skimming of it quickly. Should I use a different method?

~GokuSS4Neo~
Sep 15 2003, 12:41 pm
I always like using the built-in browser panel for instructions. It's nice and obvious, you can format it how you want, and if someone's read it already they can use one click to get rid of it.

Alternatively, you may want to spread that information out a bit. First tell the player how to get food. Once they've done that, make them go back to the NPC to show off their efforts. Then the NPC tells them some history. Maybe another NPC, who you're forced to talk to later on, gives you some more information. The history isn't absolutely essential when you're just starting the game, so it might make sense to leave it until the player has got the hang of the essential basics.
Sep 16 2003, 2:52 am
If you use a method other then src << "" I suggest you add a "note book" to your game. So players can take notes and access them easily.
Sep 19 2003, 1:00 pm
In response to Crispy
I have now got it, so that you talk to a few NPC's at the beginning of the game to get the basic rules. There are only 3 NPC's so far, and all their information is displayed in the browser...but have I gone too far? :

mob/proc/EarthKing1()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=green>Larick : Could <U><B>I</U></B> tell you about the Earth King???<P>
Larick : Of course I can!!! I'm an Earth Warden aren't I?<P>
Larick : Anyway...  Yes I can tell you about the Earth King.  The tale is this:<P>
A long time ago, over 3 millenia ago, the Dark and Fire Powers got too powerful for the worlds good.<P>
With these Powers flourishing, their chosen beings flourished too.  Mainly the reavers, snakes and Darklings.<P>
Because of these terrible creature the Duskins were in terrible danger.  And so an Earth King arised, given power and life from the Power Earth itself.<P>
With his lended powers of the Earth, Geboren Val Orden, vanquished thousands of reavers, and tens of Darklings.<P>
However, Val Orden, and his human army were not quick enough to save the Duskins, and all of them were killed.<P>
Leaving the dominant species as humans.<P>
Had Val Orden not saved us, there would not be the world Dolores.<P>
[usr] : What are these 'Duskins'?<P>
Larick : You do not know of the Duskins!?!<P>
Larick : The Duskins were an amazing race, the favoured chosen specie of the Earth.<P>
Larick : They <U>were</u> the dominant species.  They were incredibly intelligent, and closely resembled short, stumpy humans.<P>
[usr] : Why wasn't the Earth King a Duskin?<P>
Larick : No-one knows that answe, apart from the Power Earth itself.  It always know best however, so do not argue!</HTML>"}

mob/proc/EarthPower1()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=green>Larick : Earth Element?  EARTH ELEMENT??? There is NO Earth Element!!<P>
Larick : There is only the Power Earth, or the Earth Power, however you wish to phrase it.<P>
Larick : It is the Power that rules the land, the plants on the land, and the animals of the land.<P>
Larick : That includes you!<P>
Larick : It is the Earth that provides your food, unless you have got a bird or a fish for your food.</HTML>"}

mob/proc/FruitForest()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=green>Young Earth Warden Larick : Good good, also good to see a fellow interested in feeding himself.<P>
Larick : In this land there are many foods, and delicacies!<P>
Larick : The Earth provides all of these for you!<P>
And if you serve the Earth well the Earth will help you in return!  However, if you harm the Earth and scar it's beautiful face, you will be lucky to be spared a mere apple!<P>
Larick : Now I shall teach you how to forage and feed yourself.<P>
Larick : See the Berry bushes down there?  The Earth has provided these for you, for me, for everyone!<P>
Larick : To pick some berries you must walk over to the bush, and click on the 'Other' panel, then click on 'Pick berries'<P>
Larick : The bushes are magical and should grow some more berries quickly, however they cannot grow them back instantly, so be patient!!<P>
Larick : To eat the food go to the 'Inventory' panel, and click on the food you want to eat!<P>
Larick : You might also find food on the floor!  Simply pick it up in the 'Others' panel, and click on it in the Inventroy panel to eat it!<P>
Larick : You <strong>MUST</strong> remember to keep yourself well fed.  If your hunger reaches 0 you die!</HTML>"}

mob/proc/Dolores1()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=blue>Seerer : Ahhh!  Then you will need some help?<p>
[usr] : Yes, I would like some help.<p>
Seerer : I already knew you would say that!<p>
Seerer : I shall teach you about the goings of Dolores!<p>
Seerer : First, do you see the panel 'Statistics'?<p>
Click on it.  It displays all the information on your status that you should <U>need</U> to know.  Including your Health, Magic, Strength, Defence, and for emergencies, your name!<p>
Seerer : Now look on your HUD, for the button 'Skill Points'<p>
Seerer : Click on it.  See that it displays many numbers, skills, and magics?  These are your more detailed statistics.<p>
You do not really need these, but they are always useful to monitor your progress!</html>"}

mob/proc/Seerer1()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=blue>Seerer : I am not allowed to divulge information to mere mortals, nor immortals come to that.<P>
Seerer : However I can give very vague hints towards your future!<P>
Seerer : I can tell you that your journey will end very abrutly.<P>
Seerer : You will fight in 'The Great War', in which one side will triumph over the other!<P>
Seerer : The skies permit me from divulging no more!</html>"}

mob/proc/Saber1()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=red>Duke Saber : So, you want to learn how to be a tough nut?  And use <strong>manly</strong> weapons instead of hocus pocus, like those feeble Wardens and Mages?<P>
[usr] : Yes Sir!<P>
Duke Saber : Well that's a good start!  Here is how it goes : Wardens, and Mages are <U><B>weak, pathetic little men</U></B>.  Us fighters on the other hand, are proper men!<P>
Duke Saber : First things first, to pick up a weapon, walk on top of it.  "Take (Weapon)" should appear in the 'Other' Panel, click it.<p>
Duke Saber : The weapon should disappear from the floor and appear in your inventory.  Just click on the weapon to equip it, and click again to unequip!<p>
[usr] : Cool!  Just like that!<p>
Duke Saber : Yes, but you must remember that you can only have one weapon equipped at one time, in your right hand.  Unless you have a left-handed weapon.<p>
Duke Saber : But in any case, you can only have one weapon per hand!<p>
[usr] : Thank you for your help!<p>
Duke Saber : Any time son, any time!</html>"}

mob/proc/Saber2()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=red>Duke Saber : That's the spirit lad!  You remind me of me when I was your age!  We have no use for the weak!<p>
Duke Saber : I say, if they can't fight, kill them!  With the exception to women, and small children, of course!<p>
Duke Saber : Especially all those damned Wardens and Mages!  What have they ever done for us?<p>
Young Earth Warden Larick from a distance shouts : Well!  Actually, the Earth Warden Binnesman aided the Earth King and his men, and it is believed that without him Dolores would not exist!<p>
Duke Saber : Yeh, sure!  A <strong>gardener</strong> aided the Earth King, and <B>HELPED</B>!!!  Yeh, sure!!!  Go back to your vegetables you idiot!<p>
Duke Saber : Anyway..now that idiot is gone.  I am glad to see another person with my frame of mind.  I am sure you will be legendary!</html>"}

mob/proc/Saber3()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=red>Duke Saber : Calm down laddy!  So you want to know about the legendary weapons aye?<P>
Duke Saber : Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know much about them.  Personally I like to stick to the old fashioned swords.  But I do know the odd bit.<P>
Duke Saber : What I do know is this ; There are 49 Legendary Weapons.  They are classed into 7 Star Weapons, 8 Star Weapons, and 9 Star Weapons.<P>
Duke Saber : 9 Star are the best, then 8 Star, then 7 Star.  However, there are only 7, 9 Star Weapons, and 12 8 Star Weapons, leaving 30 7 Star Weapons.<P>
Duke Saber : There is ONE 10 Star Weapon, completely the 50 peice set.  Then 10 Star Weapon is called "Intolerabilis Infagilis Reaver Fetor Falx".  Yes I know it is a long name, but it was some damned Earth Warden who named it!</HTML>"}

mob/proc/Mage1()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=violet>Grindill the Archmage : That is good.  In Dolores there are many magics, and possesing the power to control them can be of great use!<P>
Grindill the Archmage : I have been alive for over 300 years, and performed more spells in my life, than a Knight will strike with a weapon.  However, I still do not know all, in fact I know very little, but I can still help you find your path.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : You see there are many "Powers" in Dolores.  At first it was believed there was only Water, Fire, Earth and Air.  Only 5000 years ago the Dark Power was discovered, then about 500 years afterwards Power of Minds was discovered.  Only 2000 years ago, they day Geboren Val Orden reached age 18, the Light Power was discovered.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : To use the magic of a Power you must lend your energy into the spell.  You will slowly recover it.  This energy is shown in your Statistics Panel under Magic.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Everyone also has a maximum of energy available to them, which increases as you use more spells.
Grindill the Archmage : Remember that as you serve a Power more you may gain more spells of that type.
Grindill the Archmage : Everything I have just told you is a very basic summary of the 80,000 page book 'Omnia apud Veneficium'<p>
<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Oops, I almost forgot to tell you how to cast spell!  In a Battle go to the Spells Panel, and just click on the spell and select an enemy!</html>"}

mob/proc/Mage2()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=violet>Grindill the Archmage : I am sorry but that is impossible.  Even if it were posssible for me to give you every bit of knowledge that I have learnt in the last 300 years, and the knowledge of every other human on this planet, you would still not know anything compared to the whole!<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Even if I had been alive for 2500 years, and seen the rise of Geboren Val Orden, and the fall of the reavers I would still not posses a millionth of the knowledge to be known about magic!<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Sorry to disappoint you!</html>"}

mob/proc/Mage3()
    return \
    {"<html><body bgcolor=black><font color=violet>Grindill the Archmage : Elemental magics?  I have never heard of such things.  Hmmm.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Oh!  You must mean Powers!  Yes there are several different types of Powers.  The only ones discovered so far are :<P>
Grindill the Archmage : Fire, this is very powerful, and quite costly.  It is also an average type to dispel.  However it has no defensive spells, and water can dispel it very easily.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Water, a very well rounded Power.  It has a variety of offensive and defensive spells, and is quite hard to dispel.  However it is not very powerful.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Earth, a very very defensive Power, with quite effective dispels, and is in itself, hard to dispel.  However it is not very powerful, and has few offensive spells.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Air, very easy to be dispelled, but also has some quite effective dispel spells of it's own.  It has weak offensive and defensive, with mostly cheap magic costs.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Mind, a more recently discovered Power.  This Power resides in all minds, and has the ability to share their information.  Little is known about this Power. <p>
Grindill the Archmage : Light, this Power has <strong>no</strong> offensive spells, but is very cheap and is quite powerful.
Grindill the Archmage : Dark, this Power has some superb defensive spells, and even more powerful offensivve spells.  However this Power not only uses your magic energy, but also damages you!  Light dispels this magic with ease, where othrs have great difficulty.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Those are the only currently known Powers.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : These Powers, also have a kind of web of alliances.  Certain Powers damage others much more, or much less.<p>
Grindill the Archmage : Here is a table of these "alliances" drawn out by Ulfric Leofwine a great Light mage.<p>

X = Top is weak against left.<p>
Y = Top is strong against left.<p>
A = Work well together.<p>
Z = Hate each other.<p>
O = Equal.<p>

<table border=1 bgcolor=red>
<tr>
<td></td><td>Fire</td><td>Water</td><td>Air</td><td>Earth</td><td>Mind</td><td>Light</td><td>Dark</td>
<tr>
<td>Fire</td><td>-</td><td>YZ</td><td>AO</td><td>XZ</td><td>YO</td><td>OZ</td><td>AO</td>
<tr>
<td>Water</td><td>XZ</td><td>-</td><td>O</td><td>AO</td><td>O</td><td>AO</td><td>O</td>
<tr>
<td>Air</td><td>AO</td><td>O</td><td>-</td><td>O</td><td>AO</td><td>AO</td><td>O</td>
<tr>
<td>Earth</td><td>ZY</td><td>AO</td><td>O</td><td>-</td><td>O</td><td>AO</td><td>ZO</td>
<tr>
<td>Mind</td><td>XO</td><td>O</td><td>AO</td><td>O</td><td>-</td><td>ZO</td><td>AO</td>
<tr>
<td>Light</td><td>ZO</td><td>AO</td><td>AO</td><td>AO</td><td>ZO</td><td>-</td><td>ZX</td>
<tr>
<td>Dark</td><td>AO</td><td>O</td><td>O</td><td>ZO</td><td>AO</td><td>ZY</td><td>-</td></table></html>"}


This is everything I give them. Nearly all of it is useful, and most of it is essential!

~Ease~