PlaneShift

Support => Complaint Department => Topic started by: Lachesis on July 15, 2008, 03:57:31 pm

Title: Riddles in quests
Post by: Lachesis on July 15, 2008, 03:57:31 pm

So far all but one of the riddles I saw in the game were about language (one was a logical one). I think the language-related riddles shouldn't take such a large portion, because they're incomparably harder to solve for non-native speakers, which make up a large portion, if not the majority of the player base. Also you should really take care that there is only one solution to your riddle, or accept all possible solutions. Here's an example for a riddle that has at least three solutions (I'm only giving solutions that are not accepted, so I guess that doesn't count as spoiler)

[NPC name removed] had a chest that was just a little too heavy for him to carry. He added something to the chest and then he could carry it. What was it he added to the chest?

Answer 1) Hair (To put hair on your chest = to strengthen you up, to make you a man)
Answer 2) nut (chest+nut = chestnut, which is a much lighter item)

Title: Re: Riddles in quests
Post by: Wavan Levironk on July 15, 2008, 04:39:40 pm

That riddle is pure culture. I saw the answer in a TV show when I was 5, then at school and in some TV programs.

About your answers, the first one is pure nonsense, and I'm not going to comment the second one since I don't even know what a chestnut is (non-native speaker here, exactly).

Title: Re: Riddles in quests
Post by: Caarrie on July 15, 2008, 04:42:58 pm

consider that a lot of the settings prospects and developers are not all native english speakers. Also keep in mind that talad has to approve all quests as well as Xillix. Riddles are not going to be removed from quests at any time. If you have issues with quests go and send an email or pm to Rizin and she will make sure you get the help you need or more triggers will be added. Remember we are all human and not all even native english speakers know all "english" riddles.

Title: Re: Riddles in quests
Post by: Lachesis on July 15, 2008, 06:14:44 pm

Who speaks about removing? I like riddles and I'd like even more of them in quests.  But maybe those that play around with words and spelling should not be        favourised too much (when new ones get into the game), and currently it seems they make up the vast majority.

Oh, and these are chestnuts:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Chestnuts02.jpg/180px-Chestnuts02.jpg)

Also note that chest has two meanings, "big box" and the upper front part of your torso. "To put hair on your chest" is an idiom which may be regional.

P.S. Also note that culture is regional. I never heard this riddle in any language. Neither I can find it anywhere on the web. (Although it's not too hard to solve, but the point is there is more than one solution).

Title: Re: Riddles in quests
Post by: Prolix on July 15, 2008, 07:51:25 pm

The whole thing about riddles is that you are meant to pick the one right possibility out of the myriad of wrong ones. A lot of times they rely on the presuppositions of the riddler and can stump the riddlee. Personally I do not see why the whole of Yliakum society are riddle aficionados when they are not at all that prevalent in real life society as a whole. It smacks of cleverness for cleverness's sake to me. These are the kind of people who are generally ostracized in the real world but perhaps that is why they were sent to this hell called Yliakum in the first place. People who want you to do things for them do not tend to put as many obstacles in your way as possible.

I suppose it really has to do with OOC considerations, make the game too easy and it gets boring.

Sometimes I just want to call on Batman to deal with these Jokers, if only I could find a klyros named Bruce!


You could always try to put helium in the box but it would not lighten the load significantly.

Title: Re: Riddles in quests
Post by: eldoth_terevan on July 15, 2008, 10:01:24 pm

Quote

These are the kind of people who are generally ostracized in the real world but perhaps that is why they were sent to this hell called Yliakum in the first place.

*laughs* ... but the riddles should stay as they are. I like the concept of the quest system in PS, even if it is hard or difficult sometimes.

Title: Re: Riddles in quests
Post by: Ralleyon on July 15, 2008, 11:14:23 pm

Quote from: Prolix on July 15, 2008, 07:51:25 pm

You could always try to put helium in the box but it would not lighten the load significantly.

Or a wheel (set of wheels) could be added to the chest.

Title: Re: Riddles in quests
Post by: Jeraphon on July 15, 2008, 11:20:53 pm

Quote

Personally I do not see why the whole of Yliakum society are riddle aficionados when they are not at all that prevalent in real life society as a whole. It smacks of cleverness for cleverness's sake to me.

Somebody hasn't played Professor Layton.  :detective:

Title: Re: Riddles in quests
Post by: saladasalad on July 16, 2008, 03:53:26 pm

It is quite clear from the text of the riddle that the 'chest' mentioned is the 'big box' type of chest, I think your alternative solutions are just plain wrong. Nice guesses but still wrong guesses. I do agree though that the answers should be recognised by the NPC and I have seen this very thing in other riddle-containing quests.