Comments on Faithless: The Making of an NWN2 Module: Designing Puzzles

Thanks for the heads up, Dilip. I ought to look up...

2009-07-22T06:29:21.621+08:00

Thanks for the heads up, Dilip. I ought to look up more of these math games for other puzzle ideas. Anyone else who wants more math games to look into can follow this link.

Another type of puzzle that I remembered just now is the detective mystery. I recall that NWN2 and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic had them. The idea in this kind of puzzle is for the player to be presented with evidence that can be gathered by looking for clues or interviewing witnesses. The player must piece together what really happened and announce who the real culprit was.

Another type of puzzle that can be used well are t...

2009-07-21T10:32:03.332+08:00

Another type of puzzle that can be used well are the multi-state maze puzzles - which can be designed without mazes too, if one can incorporate the logic in the surroundings in some way.
A couple of examples are in this link - http://www.maa.org/editorial/mathgames/mathgames_11_24_03.html
The second one (and variations derived from it) can easily be incorporated into NWN2 and more importantly, can be designed into a single room with the prize in the center (I think I just got an idea for a puzzle in my module - thanks for the thought-provoking post)

Nice write up, though I would of included the Towe...

2009-07-12T22:14:22.562+08:00

Nice write up, though I would of included the Tower of Hanoi in the puzzles to avoid as an over done option.

I am a fan of mazes if they are done well and I have included two in my game. One is optional and a bit more difficult and the second is a plot point in the game. The maze takes advantage of the companions and uses their skills as well as the players to help navigate.

Interesting post! :) I like puzzles and believe t...

2009-07-11T06:17:36.313+08:00

Interesting post! :)

I like puzzles and believe that a good RPG should have them included in many ways. From the simple key/chest to more demanding codes. (Yes, I have even had sphinxes give riddles to gain entrance to somewhere.)

I think one of the hardest things to do, however, is offer ways to bypass puzzles for players who do not like them at all. Sometimes I will work this in for players, but sometimes I don't. ;)

Thanks for the post to help focus the mind on this topic.

Lance.

@Josh, I think we can pull off some timed movemen...

2009-07-11T05:54:35.169+08:00

@Josh,

I think we can pull off some timed movement puzzles in Shattered Dreams quite well. I can't discuss the details here, but I have an idea that will fit perfectly with our setting.

@Nacaal,

I'm glad you found my writeup useful. Here's to more and better modules from the NWN2 community. :)

@nicethugbert,

You get an A for your answer plus bonus points for thinking like a true D&D player. :P

s = t + 2 t = s - 2 s - 10 = 2(t - 10) s - 10 = 2s...

2009-07-10T22:36:14.102+08:00

s = t + 2
t = s - 2
s - 10 = 2(t - 10)
s - 10 = 2s - 4 - 20
s = 14

Bring it on!

A reflex save to timed movement would be interesting I think. Would be good for rogue play.

Hmm, an int roll vs. math would be interesting too.

You can give the player the opportunity to have a party member solve the puzzle. This way you have fewer restrictions on what puzzles you can include and it brings the game rules into play in true D&D style.

You know I would have gladly paid for these notes?...

2009-07-10T19:14:20.779+08:00

You know I would have gladly paid for these notes?

I need to design several (sigh!) puzzles for a location of my mod, the Citadel of the Mists in the High Forest, and I didn't have a clue of where to start from!

So, thank you for the ideas on puzzles' mechanics, they will help me greatly in devising the tricks&traps of the Mistmaster's haven.

Unfortunately, though, lore demands that there be mazes...

I know they are terrible, for instance the Skein in MotB got me really frustrated and I made it through only because the loot kept me going...

Math puzzles... ugh... I cringe at the thought. I...

2009-07-10T12:45:57.563+08:00

Math puzzles... ugh... I cringe at the thought. I do have enough math in my life without adding math puzzles to the fray.

Timed Movement is fun, but its very clunky in NWN2. You wouldn't be able to pull it off very well I don't think.

Nice post though, Elysius :)

Glad you like it, Jclef. It's fun to write about g...

2009-07-10T06:50:20.733+08:00

Glad you like it, Jclef. It's fun to write about game design, but it's even more fun to get into it. ;)

Awesome post, Frank - it's much like the "Quest Ty...

2009-07-10T03:21:20.701+08:00

Awesome post, Frank - it's much like the "Quest Types" writeup you created awhile back. Very helpful and well-presented information here. Thanks! :)