"FREE to a good home" thread |20XX Edition| No begging, requests, or taking advantage

Reposting fore the new page

Free Steam copy of

dark-souls-prepare-to-die-edition-1.jpg



to the best entry of the following contest. Contest ends in one hour.


If you were going to design the perfect level/mission for challenging a player without making them quit with frustration, what would this level have in it?

It can be any genre.

For example, you might think of the kinds of things one finds in a challenging game/mission, such as hordes of enemies, booby traps, big bosses, stealth, guard/protect/rescue something, security to deactivate, archers, snipers, demons, dragons, platforms, spikes, puzzles, whatever you want.

Remember, you have to find a balance between what's challenging and what's rewarding.

Write at least one paragraph (or more) about this. You have around one hour.

Go.
 
I always liked how Trackmania accomplished that with their stunt tracks. You want to focus on player progress, giving a sense of accomplishment, but also the real fact that failure exists and they overcame it. Frequent forgiving (BUT INTELLIGENTLY PLACED) checkpoints are key and quick reloads are key. You don't want the player punished waiting at loading screen everytime. Tony Hawk did that pretty darn well. Plus their ludicrous ramps and loops just made you feel good as you did things that felt like they were beyond your control. Everything was lined up WITH A GOOD MARGIN OF ERROR to still allow you to finish, without being perfect. You want the player to get 85% of the way there without struggle, but know he can do much worse BUT also a little better, but not FORCE HIM to do that. How many times have you gotten frustrated at racing games because you just can't get that 100ms faster on a 5 minute race?
 
If I were to design my perfect mission for a game, it would be a horde style mission for an FPS game. it would have a timer in between waves of enemies and I would make it so that in between waves you have enough time to restock ammo/health. I also would have ammo respawn during the fight because I would hate being in a tough firefight and not be able to get the last bit of ammo i need to finish off the wave. Some people would probably think it would be too easy but I think that would be the best way to do it.
 
I would make a game similar to dark souls called shadow spirit or something and make it a knockoff of dark souls and copy the mechanics making it just as good but slightly different.

Hehe
 
I would say the best way to make a level both challenging and yet avoid frustrating the player would be through the use of time manipulation. If the player can move backward or both backwards and forwards through time they would be able to right any mistakes they made. With enough experimentation the player could achieve a "perfect run". And don't include hordes of respawning enemies. You could never make a level enjoyable with respawning enemies or QTE's.
 
I have been dreaming of a pet project called Knock-Off

It's a parody game which Knock-Offs all the top tier industry games and uses them as a catalyst for insanity

1 Level I have had dreams about is Final Storm

You start as a level 1 character thrown in to an abyss
Your soul is stolen from you, in which turn gives you amnesia, but you have a lingering memory of your past love, a woman who really is a witch that love to where different guns as heels

3 doors lay ahead of you with weird marking

1 has a Sigil of Staff, 1 has Sigil of Blocks & Coins, 1 Sigil is Pure Evil Incarnate and is shaped ↑ ↓← →

Choose the staff and your thrown into a dungeon of unspeakable horror...
A room filled with fluffy bunnies carrying carrot pole-arms/potato shield
Vanquish the Behemoth Bunny to continue on your task

Choose the Blocks & Coins and get thrown into a First Person Perspective of collecting Coins and Destroying Blocks, some Blocks are deceitful and aren't carrying coins, what could they be carrying?...
Mushrooms of course, Psychedelic One that disorient the screen and fuck you over Vertigo style

Choose the last arrow door... Yeah, say hello to blisters on your fingers

Funny thing is there a hidden fourth door, right next to the arrow door, only problem is you need to pay $1.99 DLC to access it and it takes directly you to the final battle, maxed out character, 1 QTE that you have to press a button to finish, have 30 minute window to press it
 
Speevy said:
Reposting fore the new page

Free Steam copy of

dark-souls-prepare-to-die-edition-1.jpg



to the best entry of the following contest. Contest ends in one hour.


If you were going to design the perfect level/mission for challenging a player without making them quit with frustration, what would this level have in it?

It can be any genre.

For example, you might think of the kinds of things one finds in a challenging game/mission, such as hordes of enemies, booby traps, big bosses, stealth, guard/protect/rescue something, security to deactivate, archers, snipers, demons, dragons, platforms, spikes, puzzles, whatever you want.

Remember, you have to find a balance between what's challenging and what's rewarding.

Write at least one paragraph (or more) about this. You have around one hour.

Go.
Click to expand...

Game is a "platformer" style RPG. My level would be a puzzle room where there is a mirror image of you on the other side. The room is basically itself a mirror image but opposite. Your actions are mirrored by your mirror image in reverse so if you move right he moves left. You have a few pits full of spikes and blocks that you must move to press a button that lowers a ladder to climb to the next walkway above the spike pits. This level has another puzzle where the walls are closing in on you and you must pick up a lever to insert into a slot to turn off the wall and lower the room to the battle arena. Here you meet your mirror image to fight. The reward is based on the time it took to solve the puzzle rooms or self gratification of beating the stupid puzzle I thought of.
 
I would like to see a mission that has you going against one singular entity, every time you defeat it, it evolves into a new form. Each form representing new fight mechanics. Each new form does not simply replace the previous, but adds onto it. After defeating each form you regen a fair amount to keep it within the realm of fun.

We'll say 10 forms in all.

First form: It has a set of five default attacks, with one key attack that has to be dodged or you die.

Fifth form: Same as above, but he also will AoE damage areas of the playable space, taking damage from this AoE regens the boss, It will also shoot projectiles at you periodically between his attacks.

By the 10th form, the playable area will have changed dramatically, the boss has grown in mass and the play area, let's say a castle has crumbled around you, and in order to proceed you have to scale the actual boss, while dodging it's attacks, which now include spawned adds that will try to pin you down, killing them gives you small amounts of health.

When you finally make it to the head, the fight will be rather simple. projectile attacks, and dodging grabs.

Once you finally defeat it, it evolves into it's final form.

4sAKc.jpg
 
For me the way to be challenging while avoiding to frustrate the player is give them the choice of how to handle a given situation...not every gamer is equally skilled in every type of game,so let them choice if going stealth or rambo is the better way,means that they can avoid repetition of the same task over and over ,while they try to get better at one or every of them.
Another thing is to permit creativity to flow,and never imprison a player in an environment that feels artificially limited.
from these point of view games like swat 4 or the old hitman games were spot on...give an environment with rules and a set of items to the player and let him choose how to handle the situation..that way ,even if challenging,the player is forced to think if he has made something wrong,if he could have used another itam/approach ,and this avoid frustration,as long ads every option is equally valid.
 
I guess this can be achieved either in a platformer or a stealth game. In the first case I would imagine a game like Super Meat Boy but with a health gauge and the level of difficulty being not as high as it currently is. Like a 2D version of the final level of LittleBigPlanet: it wasn't terribly challenging, but it was relatively long. Therefore, you were kept in your toes for a longer period of time. Very fun to beat.

As for a stealth game, it would be a mix of exploration from the souls games (having levels with multiple interwinding paths that lead to the same goal) and the mechanics from MGS or DX:HR. Here you would have boss battles with gigantic bosses but you would need to manage to take them down without them noticing you by using your environment. Again to avoid frustration here I would add a checkpoint at least before the boss battle.

Well, those were my 2 cents.
 
I'm a fan of RPG elements in games, where you develop a series of abilities over time. However, in a lot of these games, towards the end you can feel a little over-powered. What I would like to see is an endgame encounter where you are pitted against an opposition with a similar skill set, and you need to use not just everything you've learned to win, but also the idea that you need to actually watch your opponent to figure out when to strike. Where you need not to just spam abilities, but to apply finesse. Where attacking at the wrong moment can leave you vulnerable. This kind of even match I think would be a fun and rewarding challenge that we don't see too often.
 
netguy503 said:
1 month of plus for EU please.
Click to expand...

indigodomino said:
Me?
Click to expand...

Both PM Sent!

indigodomino said:
Thank you very much The_Monk!!
Tonight I'm picking up my new ps3, so after 2 weeks of no gaming at all I'm looking forward to see what games are available for download!!
Click to expand...

Well since you are so happy to get your new PS3 might as well giving you another One Month Code, PM Incoming! Hehe, remember, I don't believe they stack so you have to do the process on the last page. ;)

Speevy said:
Go.
Click to expand...


And just for the Competition I have to enter only because Speevy runs the BEST Contests on GAF since they push a little for the creativity side.

My entry:

I'm thinking a game The Witcher series style. In this level you will start with a broken axe. To improve you may want to explore the near caves. Inside there are small not so hard creatures, yet, dangerous enough to kill you. I have to choose to attack further enemies with a weak broken weapon or venture this caves to find: Wood, rope, wires, pieces of steel so you can combine and get your weapon fixed. Along the way you will always have a choice. Fight the enemy or avoid using stealth. There will be no Healing Items in this level so you can start of by killing all loosing only a bit of health, but that bit may be useful further.

If you decide to avoid you need to read enemies patrols like a typical Stealth game. Decide killing all wil require one at a time or else it might be too much to handle. Keep pushing on. Along the way you may want to rescue a prisoner sentenced to death by stealing food for his son. Help him and he fights with you, however you need to solve a puzzle. Booby traps near the cage will make sounds and alert enemies. To solve the puzzle you need to listen the prisoner so you know the patch to reach the Cage. BUT he is crazy. So he talks all in riddles. Ignore him and the path may be harder alone. Proceed and the Boss Fight.

Because it is a level where you lost everything in the past there will be an option that you can have: "Give me my Weapons!" If you are a casual player finding all this too hard choose this and sacrifice 4 Achievements/Trophies for the Level and a Missing conversation option where the prisoner appears (death or alive, depending on your choice) in further levels.

For me, choosing/using Stealth, Action, moral decisions and puzzles/thinking are all good formulas that's why a I used a bit of each one.


_________________

The Boat said:
Me? Still on time?
Edit: ah you gave him two.
Click to expand...

And now I give you one too! See, everyone is happy :)
 
The_Monk said:
To give something back I have 3 Codes of:

1 Month of PS+ for EU

I believe you must put your CC info (then turn auto-renew off) and you can't be in the PS Plus already. Code do not stack I think!

First 3 Quotes get one Code each. :)
Click to expand...
Me? Still on time?
Edit: ah you gave him two.
 
This seems fun. Not entering cuz it's over, but just for fun.

So I was thinking something along the lines of a zombie fantasy title.

The first to be infected were the faeries whose tiny size and flight abilities allow them to quickly overtake the land and transforming all the people, elves, dwarves, etc into zombies.

Now in one boss fight, you have to defend a dragon from a swarm of ravenous zombie faeries. If you're not fast enough, you have to deal with the leftover faeries and a zombie dragon-- may be a bit difficult but it would be a pretty epic fight.

If you do it fast enough, the dragon would muster up the last of its strength and fight alongside you, as other types of zombies break into the location and you tag-team against them.
 
@Speevy:

My idea exists within a Hack 'N Slash title similar to the DmC series and toys with the idea of an arch-nemesis 'parallel' character (read: pallet swap) of the protagonist.

The fight would be a typical mano-a-mano affair with a twist: the opponent has completely adapted the fighting style of the player character. By compiling data regarding the combos and special techniques the player has used against enemies in the lead-up to the boss fight this boss serves as a mirror image of the gamer, reflective of the fighting style until this point.

So, if the player has been cheap and resorting to a particular move repetitively that is what they will be met with against this new boss.

Furthermore, due to the varying nature of gamers, online strategies would be inconsistent as everyone plays differently.

The idea could be furthered if the stats of the boss contrasts the players stats and abilities (if the game were to feature RPG elements).
 
I have been reading your entries as you were making them, and I like a lot of your ideas.

I particularly like the idea about a level similar to Bit.Trip Runner, since I loved that game.

There were many entries that briefly described good creative mechanics, and whole game systems that would make for compelling experiences.

I didn't ask for a giant text wall. However, I have to award one of the two posters who gave me a comprehensive description of a level. Picking between these two was torture, because I really liked both of them.

Ultimately, the specificity in Miker's post pushed me over the edge. Dice was very close though.

So our winner is Miker

Give me your Steam ID Miker.
 
@speevy

i think that the perfect level would contain at least a dungeon or a couple of puzzles nothing to long or tedious just something really clever, also in that level you should be able to choose whether to use stealth or go in and act violently, but being rewarded differently. a level should have a boss battle according to the skills you gained through out the level but nothing to obvious like using an item or just using what you learned in the same way, it should strive for you to use things in a whole different way, maybe combining it with previous items or strategies.

as for enemies through out the level im not a fan of dynasty warrior type of hordes, but more of a fight unique types of enemies, choose your spots act like the game has serious repercussions. doing so you will be rewarded.

i know vehicles additions are normally looked bad, but something quick, fun and with tight control should give the player a feel or easiness in the level, like you just beaten a tough mini boss now just chill enjoy the ride. to compare it to a movie the exorcism is good because of how it leads into the final exorcism and that is exactly how games must be, start easy but make things harder along the way not only by using cheap tactics but clever design and music can be awesome additions to how a level is played, make things tense but always fair.

Battles should be rewarded accordingly, im a fan of the AI in left for dead in which rewards you according to how you are playing, tho in a game with loot i think the better you play the better the final loot is, but if you are having a hard time divide the loot into smaller, less awesome stuff but make it useful so that the level gets easier tho you will get such a great piece of loot in the end.

i dont think random shit should pop out of treasure chest, AI should be able to identify you play style and reward you accordingly. lets say you play stealthy and the game gives you an awesome rocket launcher, whats the point? AI should recognize that and give you maybe an awesome knife or dagger.
 
I have a code for 50% off Medal of Honor Warfighter on Origin. Not sure if it is account locked or not. The first person to find a news story about something positive related to the military and/or its soldiers will get the code for it. The news story must be within the last 3 months. It can be from either local or national news. Just find me a good one. Post back here with it.
 
AlmostMilk said:
I have a code for 50% off Medal of Honor Warfighter on Origin. Not sure if it is account locked or not. The first person to find a news story about something positive related to the military and/or its soldiers will get the code for it. The news story must be within the last 3 months. It can be from either local or national news. Just find me a good one. Post back here with it.
Click to expand...

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/1...-iran-would-be-good-for-arabs-netanyahu-says/

LOL, googled "military good".
 
AlmostMilk said:
I have a code for 50% off Medal of Honor Warfighter on Origin. Not sure if it is account locked or not. The first person to find a news story about something positive related to the military and/or its soldiers will get the code for it. The news story must be within the last 3 months. It can be from either local or national news. Just find me a good one. Post back here with it.
Click to expand...

could this BE any more impossible?
 
AlmostMilk said:
I have a code for 50% off Medal of Honor Warfighter on Origin. Not sure if it is account locked or not. The first person to find a news story about something positive related to the military and/or its soldiers will get the code for it. The news story must be within the last 3 months. It can be from either local or national news. Just find me a good one. Post back here with it.
Click to expand...

http://www.military.com/off-duty/pe...aves-coast-guard-veteran-from-depression.html
keeping our men in a good state of mind. Dog Days
 
I also have a steam copy of Dark Souls to give away. Just say what game you think has a perfect difficulty balance, and the closest to what i would choose within the next ten or so guesses wins.
(hint: i haven't played dark souls or demons souls, so it can't be that :) ).
 
harriet the spy said:
I also have a steam copy of Dark Souls to give away. Just say what game you think has a perfect difficulty balance, and the closest to what i would choose within the next ten or so guesses wins.
(hint: i haven't played dark souls or demons souls, so it can't be that :) ).
Click to expand...

Quake 3, any other answer is invalid.
 
harriet the spy said:
I also have a steam copy of Dark Souls to give away. Just say what game you think has a perfect difficulty balance, and the closest to what i would choose within the next ten or so guesses wins.
(hint: i haven't played dark souls or demons souls, so it can't be that :) ).
Click to expand...

Super mario kart.
 
harriet the spy said:
I also have a steam copy of Dark Souls to give away. Just say what game you think has a perfect difficulty balance, and the closest to what i would choose within the next ten or so guesses wins.
(hint: i haven't played dark souls or demons souls, so it can't be that :) ).
Click to expand...

Borderlands!
 
harriet the spy said:
I also have a steam copy of Dark Souls to give away. Just say what game you think has a perfect difficulty balance, and the closest to what i would choose within the next ten or so guesses wins.
(hint: i haven't played dark souls or demons souls, so it can't be that :) ).
Click to expand...

super mario world
 
harriet the spy said:
I also have a steam copy of Dark Souls to give away. Just say what game you think has a perfect difficulty balance, and the closest to what i would choose within the next ten or so guesses wins.
(hint: i haven't played dark souls or demons souls, so it can't be that :) ).
Click to expand...
captain's mode (picks and bans) dota2
 
Hi! I just noticed I have some games in my Steam inventory that I can't trade.

Draw me a picture of Morgan Freeman playing tennis with Obama and those games are yours.
 
harriet the spy said:
I also have a steam copy of Dark Souls to give away. Just say what game you think has a perfect difficulty balance, and the closest to what i would choose within the next ten or so guesses wins.
(hint: i haven't played dark souls or demons souls, so it can't be that :) ).
Click to expand...

Demon Souls

edit: oops you said no demon souls

in that case, F Zero GX
 
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