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Definition
Posted By: Deram ScholzaraDate: 10/14/05 7:48 p.m.

In Response To: What makes a puzzle? (C Lund)

A puzzle, as would be found in Marathon, is a solvable sequence of events that must be initiated by the player via a logical stream of abtract thinking. Most comonly, this means finding clues to make meaningful connections between otherwise unrelated props.

A puzzle can be as simple as finding oneself in a room, realizing that there must be a way out of the room, and finding that exit. The solution could be as obvious as an attached hallway. This can be compared to daily life, which requires common sense.

Puzzles can also be as complex as the tedious switch flipping levels of the marathon map "Labrynth." This can be compared to a Rubik's Cube, which requires recognition of patterns.

To contrast, something that is not a puzzle is either not a sequence of events, has no solution, or offers no vital clues that could enlighten the subject in his or her quest for the solution.

One might ask why, if clues are required, is Myst a true puzzle game? The answer is that the game relied heavily on the player's common sense and life experiences to fill the role of many needed clue elements. In truth, it is more accurate to say that Myst, as a whole, is a "mystery" game which presents several puzzles which gradually uncloak the game's secrets.

Also note, so long as a puzzle presents all required elements, the fact that it can be solved by random chance does not disqualify it. Given enough time, a chimpanzee could solve a Rubik's Cube.

So, the requirements for a puzzle are:
1) A logical sequence of events.
2) A solution (or multiple solutions)
3) Presentation of clues.

-Deram Scholzara

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Pre-2004 Posts

Replies:

What makes a puzzle?C Lund 10/2/05 8:36 a.m.
     Re: What makes a puzzle?RyokoTK 10/2/05 3:44 p.m.
     Re: What makes a puzzle?Steve Levinson 10/2/05 7:19 p.m.
           Re: What makes a puzzle?kyjel 10/2/05 9:12 p.m.
           Re: What makes a puzzle?C Lund 10/3/05 12:58 a.m.
                 Re: What makes a puzzle?goran 10/3/05 1:13 a.m.
                       Re: What makes a puzzle?ukimalefu 10/3/05 8:56 a.m.
                       Re: What makes a puzzle?Steve Levinson 10/3/05 10:32 a.m.
                             Re: What makes a puzzle?Forrest of B.org 10/3/05 1:36 p.m.
                                   Re: What makes a puzzle?Blake37 10/3/05 3:16 p.m.
                                   Re: What makes a puzzle?RyokoTK 10/3/05 7:04 p.m.
                                         Re: What makes a puzzle?ukimalefu 10/4/05 11:58 a.m.
                                   Re: What makes a puzzle?Steve Levinson 10/4/05 4:26 a.m.
                                         Re: What makes a puzzle?Forrest of B.org 10/4/05 4:51 p.m.
                       Re: What makes a puzzle?Vid Boi 10/3/05 11:07 a.m.
                             Re: What makes a puzzle?Keith Palmer 10/3/05 11:52 a.m.
                                   Re: What makes a puzzle?Alexander 10/4/05 9:09 p.m.
                             Re: What makes a puzzle?ellio7t 10/5/05 10:04 a.m.
                       Re: What makes a puzzle?themijolnir 11/3/05 9:58 a.m.
     DefinitionDeram Scholzara 10/14/05 7:48 p.m.
           Re: DefinitionSenator Predator 10/26/05 6:00 a.m.
                 Puzzles?!Jontar2b 11/15/05 3:32 p.m.
                       Re: Puzzles?!RyokoTK 11/15/05 5:38 p.m.
                       Re: Puzzles?!MrHen 11/16/05 5:33 a.m.
                             Story discussions dwindling?Steve Levinson 11/16/05 2:54 p.m.
                                   Re: Story discussions dwindling?ukimalefu 11/16/05 6:46 p.m.
                                   Re: Story discussions dwindling?MrHen 11/17/05 5:52 a.m.
                                         Re: Story discussions dwindling?Steve Levinson 11/17/05 1:33 p.m.
                                               haha, well I *would*MrHen 11/18/05 8:48 a.m.
                                   Re: Story discussions dwindling?Hamish Sinclair 11/18/05 10:01 a.m.
                                         Point well taken *NM*Steve Levinson 11/18/05 12:09 p.m.
                                         Marathon the saga continuesJontar2b 11/21/05 5:00 p.m.

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Pre-2004 Posts

 

 

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