Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: Etcher Squared Games on Thu 30/09/2004 12:28:13

Title: Thoughts on game idea about a blind man
Post by: Etcher Squared Games on Thu 30/09/2004 12:28:13
So, I was trying to think of another project I could do by myself (i.e. not so good graphics), but thought...

Hey, what if I could make a game where graphics were unimportant or unneeded.

Then I thought, well a game about a blind man, where all you see is a black background and white trimming for objects.

The look icon would be a hand+eye because you'd have to feel the item to look at it.

You'd have to learn to tell people apart from the color of their speech (representing different voices e.g.)....

Just something like that.

What do people think?
Title: Re: Thoughts on game idea about a blind man
Post by: Nacho on Thu 30/09/2004 14:06:10
I DON'T SEE the point of playing that game[/joke]  ;D  ;D  ;D

hehe... J/K. Actually, I wouldn't dowload it, but I don't download many AGS games :P. I am a die-hard graphic viewer, because of the ol'days when LucasArts rewarded you with nice backgrounds if you solved some puzzle.

But don't feel dissapinted... some people may find interesting, though!
Title: Re: Thoughts on game idea about a blind man
Post by: jetxl on Thu 30/09/2004 14:28:59
Sounds more like an idea for a text adventure to me.
Title: Re: Thoughts on game idea about a blind man
Post by: Ashen on Thu 30/09/2004 14:46:08
I think it could be quite interesting, but you'd need a better reason for it than just to save you having to do graphics - it couldn't be the game you'd like to make with graphics, just without them. You'd need to work at least twice as hard on plot, maybe on developing personalities for the individual characters (since we won't be able to see them, their personality needs to come across in their speech, rather than how they look) and, of course, on new types of puzzles. Not to mention, the scripting for puzzles with little to no visual aspect would probaly be a lot harder. Interesting way of elimating pixel-hunts, if nothing else.

You'd also need to avoid crap old jokes ("He's blind, so he keeps walking into furniture! Hilarious!") and stereotypes (I can't think of a blind stereotype right now, but I'm sure they exist), to keep the game from becoming offensive.

So, yeah, if it was well done, I'd definately give it a play, but it might be easier to just go with your "not so good graphics" - I didn't hear anyone complaining about Sierra Quest, and you'll only get better with practice.
Title: Re: Thoughts on game idea about a blind man
Post by: BlackMan890 on Thu 30/09/2004 15:31:25
humm, if it was black, it would make it(i think) even more better if the background was black, you touch something and feel a table, then a white table would appear on the backgound
then you could touch it again and find some stuff on it, when you feel two people in front of you, and they are talking, you could hear which person is talking, then when you know how one person looks, and hear his voice on the background, you do not need to tuch him because you already know him
soo how is that?
then when you have touched everything in one room, you know how it looks and therefore will remember that, but please let the blind man be visible on the background for else you do not know where he is
Title: Re: Thoughts on game idea about a blind man
Post by: Etcher Squared Games on Thu 30/09/2004 16:02:40
I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to do this.

I was thinking the room would have outlines of all the items, giving the player the benefit of the doubt he's searched the room for what's there.

You'd just have to then take the time to look/feel at stuff to get detail on it.

Yes I admit it's an idea that came about since I don't wanna draw it, but it seemed like a doable idea.  I dunno, that's why I posted here :P

Anyway, thanks everyone for the ideas/comments, any more comments are appreciated, thanks...
Title: Re: Thoughts on game idea about a blind man
Post by: Ali on Thu 30/09/2004 16:09:11
Instead of starting with outlines of objects, why not begin with iconic representations of sounds? That way when the player moved the pointer over the icon they could hear the sound (or a text version of it) and using the HAND action would allow them to build up an outlined picture of their surroundings.
Title: Re: Thoughts on game idea about a blind man
Post by: Blade on Thu 30/09/2004 16:48:22
About blind man visible... I think better option is doing this game first person perspective (hide player in room option).