Re: PBM design: give away the formulas?

From: ulim@coli.uni-sb.de (Ulrich Mayring)

Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1993 10:51:55 +0000

desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins) writes:

>What typically happens is that long time players quickly build up a
>knowledge base which gives them an overwhelming advantage over new
>players.  Then new players tend to avoid the game, or drop out early,
>because it isn't any fun to play at a major disadvantage just because
>you haven't been playing for years.  Eventually the game ends up just
>down to experienced players, or players who can get the scoop from
>experienced players, and then you are back to the full information
>situation.

A classic example of a game that really does a marvelous job of letting
newcomers play alongside experts is Monster Island. The game world is
divided into regions with varying degrees of danger assorted to them. If
you are a newcomer you will stay in regions with relatively weak creatures
and consequently relatively worthless treasure.
Experts will simply advance to higher regions, because why should they
beat up on newbies, when all the newbies have as equipment is stuff the
experts already gathered years ago? Why hang around the same old boring
forest/jungle etc. where you know each creature by name? The motivation to
move on is very high, because in higher regions you will encounter game
situations that you won't encounter before and even learn new things to do
that you wouldn't learn elsewhere.
This leads to the fact that new monsters associate with other new monsters
and long-timers are among long-timers. IMHO an excellent solution.

Ulrich

References

Re: PBM design: give away the formulas? (*FORMULAE !)
rob@ccc.govt.nz (Rob McNeur)
Mon, 21 Jun 1993 12:00:33 +0000
Re: PBM design: give away the formulas? (*FORMULAE !)
gl8f@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Greg Lindahl)
Mon, 21 Jun 1993 02:29:51 +0000
Re: PBM design: give away the formulas? (*FORMULAE !)
rob@ccc.govt.nz (Rob McNeur)
Tue, 22 Jun 1993 11:30:11 +0000
Re: PBM design: give away the formulas?
desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)
Wed, 23 Jun 1993 05:01:56 +0000

Referenced By

Re: PBM design: give away the formulas? (*FORMULAE !)
rob@ccc.govt.nz (Rob McNeur)
Mon, 21 Jun 1993 12:00:33 +0000
Re: PBM design: give away the formulas? (*FORMULAE !)
gl8f@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Greg Lindahl)
Mon, 21 Jun 1993 02:29:51 +0000
Re: PBM design: give away the formulas? (*FORMULAE !)
rob@ccc.govt.nz (Rob McNeur)
Tue, 22 Jun 1993 11:30:11 +0000
Re: PBM design: give away the formulas?
desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)
Wed, 23 Jun 1993 05:01:56 +0000