Gameplay question

harrywatson

Hi just a chit chat gameplay question.

Don't know how many out there like playing point and click adventure/escape games.

So, well the chit chat question is;

Do you prefer to drag your item / key onto a door to unlock it?

Or do you just want to click / touch on the key and then the door?

Yes it sounds a bit trivial but I'm talking immersion - what's the most
immersive? And I know it depends on gameplay in the game as a whole.


If you drag an item or a key, your mouse cursor or finger gets in the way of the image.
Bad for 'suspension of disbelieve'. But then dragging gives you (player) a bit more control.
So the door doesn't just magically become unlocked, you've gone and put the key in the lock.
It was YOU player. that unlocked the door - not some invisible person inside the computer.


I've played some games where I've had to drag a key onto a door and thought "yeah yeah, I get it, just open the '___in' door."
Then at times I've clicked on a key and then the door and felt somewhat deflated when it opens - loss of control - 'I didn't
really have a choice in that'.

I don't have a preference so that's why I'm asking. Guess I'm looking for a game philosophy.

'Flow' might be a good one. Any thoughts?

tatiang

I prefer tapping instead of dragging. I think if you had some amazing animation associated with the release of the drag, it might be best to drag and drop but otherwise I just find that tedious.

And yeah, it does somewhat depend on the style of the game. If it's a flat 2D world, then tapping would be my preference still, but if it looks 3D I'd be tempted to say dragging and dropping might even be better.

harrywatson

Ahh yes! A combination of the two could be good too. Drag heavy items, touch light ones.