I thought I'd experiment with describing various gaming styles that I've observed over the years, based around four aspects of adventure games: story, puzzles, exploration and atmosphere.

Each description is written from the standpoint of the gamer. Part of what I'm hoping to show is that each reaction to story, puzzles, exploration and atmosphere is equally valid.

Hoping to start a friendly discussion!

What Type of Adventure Gamer Are YOU?

Very interesting, Becky. Time for the thinking cap.
I'm a Heinz 57.

Gamer: D <Story>

Gamer: C <Puzzles>

Gamer: C <Environments and Exploration>

Gamer C <Atmosphere>

Thank, Becky

All of the above is me when it comes to gaming.. :StPats:

MaG ..I love Heinz 57

Hi, I am probably 60 percent puzzle, 30 percent story and the other two equals the 10 percent , although I think some of these category overlap for me
as puzzles involve exploration, thinking cap
and there is great atmosphere, in a great story
love the puzzle part first, but the great story is growing on me, I am playing lost souls now, darkfall game and really into the atmosphere of the story

Marcia

Story: Gamer A
Puzzles: Gamer A
Environments/Exploration: Gamer A
Atmosphere: Gamer A

I guess that means I'm a lot like Gamer A, then.

The funny thing is, the series of games I'm most passionate about - the Sherlock Holmes ones - fall under Gamer B section. There's always an exception to the rule!

Thanks, Becky, what a fun quiz! I'd kind of all over the map with this one.

It seems I fit mostly into the "C" category, but I also have a good bit of "A" in me as well as a little "B." I enjoy mostly epic, well told stories, if there's a group for that. The Longest Journey, Culpa Innata (which will be very epic once part 2 comes out, I feel ), the Gabriel Knights, Grim Fandango - all of these games are my favorites and evoke that feeling for me.

EDIT: Rushes, that is funny. Just goes to show you never know.

Reminds me of my experience with Dreamfall. It had many things I don't look for in a game, that would turn me off to any other game. And yet I loved it. Go figure.

No big surprise here, I'm pretty much in the 'D' category, with the exception of the Story Category. There I am a 'B'. One thing that I think may be missing in your analysis is prioritizing. So, with that in mind, this is the order of importance of your catagories:
1 - Environments and Explorations
2 - Puzzles
3 - Story
4 - Atmosphere
Thanks for doing this. It'll will help knowing who has similar tastes (and also disparate ones).

I know games (as well as gamers) may fit more than one category. I'm open to arguments that certain games should actually belong in different categories!

I'm also curious to see what other games people feel would fit various categories (I used some of the best known series for the article, but there are a lot more good games out there)!

i have to think more on this .

i will say that i agree with the part in atmosphere about dark screens do not always equal mood - sometimes they are just annoying.

i think what looks good to me,depends on my mood.
for example - it's been a week where people have talked me to death- then i don't want lengthy dialogue,just a quiet place to explore and work on a puzzle or two.

i'll have to check my games and see what category they're in...

Yes-i am all over map on this..but one thing i sure agree with Niteowl07 on '' it's been a week where people have talked me to death- then i don't want lengthy dialogue,just a quiet place to explore and work on a puzzle or two.'' I am a retired telephone operator so i can relate to that! I think that is what drew me to games like Myst, and Rhem-lots of exploration & puzzles (although Rhem puzzles mostly so hard for me..thank goodness for walkthroughs!)..and no talk! Also agree with other poster..dark areas do Not equal atmosphere..takes real skill to create good atmosphere and not many games have had a lot of sucess. However, the Dark Fall and Lost Crown series have and also The Last Half of Darkness, The Darkness Within, and Scratches. The Myst games -to me-have an atmosphere of solitude and freedom, and adventure. The first Shivers had that as well. Takes a good combination of things to get great atmosphere in games..writing,sound, as well as what you see. There are a couple of 'casual' games that have it-Return to Ravenhurst and Dire Grove(made me feel so cold i actually went and got a sweater and i am generally NOT cold at all!). I enjoy old radio programs and lots of them could create atmosphere..good writing and sound! Also Poe..in his writing could really create an atmosphere..and Woodhouse generally had an atmophere he created of comedy in a difficult time. Sorry ..if i got off topic a bit..

Hi Becky and Boomers. I do not care so much for games with extensive dialogue and conversation trees.I give equal billing to story, puzzles, exploration and atmosphere. Games that fit those four have a seamless quality that invite many replay sessions. There are games that excel in one selection over the others but still hold my interest if the remaining three are at least average. In other words games that integrate these selections seem to attract a following. For me the Myst series among others, fulfills all those parameters.That was an excellent question Becky. Hope the Game producers are reading all the Boomer comments. :niceday: PS: You said it all Gamenut.

Thanks, Becky,
For closing the other thread. Obviously, I can't be *typed* because I have "my own take" on games, 'nuff said.

Wow! I'm a B all the way down. Although I do enjoy the games listed under "B", the game I loved the most was Myst, and still like the same type. Interesting.

Interesting quiz/gaming styles resaerch.

In the story category I don't have any strong preferences - I like all kinds of storytelling if they are well executed.

In "Puzzles", I guess I'm the most similar to Gamer B, although I don't have a particularly great opinion of "puzzles that require pattern analysis, especially the kind that involve color or sound". They usually aren't very clever and tend to be similar to one another. Also, color and sound recognition is problematic for many people.

In terms of exploration, I think that I'm the most akin to Gamer A, but I do enjoy games like Gamer D as well. The only thing that I dislike in exploration is slow, repetitive traveling sequences and walking back and forth a huge world when the game could be easily designed to avoid that (why not give the player a map that can automatically teleport her to far away places?).

Atmospherically, I'm definitely Gamer B.

Overall, I'm very open to every kind of adventure game, only wish the amount of pointless walking and clicking would be limited in some of them.

I appear to be a hybrid

Most of my "individual" slections are a combination of the B and C categories but the games I enjoy playing the most come from A, B and C !!

So I can't truthfully pinpoint myself as being a particular type of adventure gamer who would reside solely within the boundaries suggested

An interesting experiment though, thanks, Becky !!

I just don't know. I enjoyed games from each catagory, particularly LHoD series, but maybe that was because I have only played them recently. I remember thinking that Syberia felt like reading a book, which is a solitary enjoyment. I guess I am the(weak)silent type, but there are always exceptions....Discworld, for one. I loved that.

Nice quiz Becky.

Story: C Love those cutscenes, feels like a reward after doing something hard.

Puzzles: B&D All tho I really don't like musical related ones.

Environments: B

Atmosphere: B

Looks like I'm mostly a B person.
The order of importance to me is:
Puzzles
Environments and Exploration
Atmosphere
Story

Sassy

I guess I'm most like type "A"
Like an imaginative, immersive story that I can understand with puzzles that make sense and move the plot along. Don't have a lot of patience with difficult, unsolvable(for me) puzzles and will turn to a WT to avoid having the story spoiled by too much stuckness.
Appearance (eye candy) and atmosphere are a must.
Interesting or offbeat characters plus a little humor.
Really enjoyed the Syberia games-they have all these elements. also TLJ and Dreamfall.

I am basically a "D" person too with B in the story part. For me, I love a good story that weaves it together, but with an interesting enviroment to explore and challenging puzzles. The best part for me is the puzzles with a great enviroment. The story should make sense, but I do a lot of reading, and that is when the story is important. For games, the puzzles and exploring are paradise for me.

Thanks Becky!

ETA, But I do love most of the games on all the lists, including the crazy funny ones....go figure

Story -- Mostly B
Gamer B -- Story: The story should unfold gradually, and parts can remain in the background. Not all the plot threads need to be tied up by the game's end. The story should be told via characters, texts, puzzles, and the gameworld itself.

but also bits of others

Gamer C -- Story: ...The story should be fresh, original and deep...

Gamer D -- Story: ...If the story enhances the puzzles and makes sense of the gameworld, then it's a plus. If cut scenes or dialogs or diary/journal entries are too frequent or too long, the story has become a hindrance.

And I'd want to add that a "story" where the fourth wall is constantly being broken by a wisecracking main character is often rendered useless.
________________________________

Puzzles -- Again mostly B
Gamer B -- Puzzles: Good puzzles are innovative, don't require the gamer to undergo a lot of repetition, and are fairly clued... I like puzzles that require pattern analysis, especially the kind that involve color or sound, and I also enjoy mechanical puzzles. It's a bonus if the puzzle fits into the gameworld and story, but the cleverness of the puzzle itself is more important than how it happens to "fit in."

but also bits of D
Gamer D -- Puzzles: I like variety and innovation in puzzles, but I also like traditional puzzles, especially if they have a new "take" or are approached in a slightly different fashion. I like sliders, tone-matching, decoding ... I don't like timed puzzles -- I want to test my brain, not my reflexes, at least when playing an adventure game.
(I really don't like Tower of Hanoi because it is usually more an exercise in repetition than a real puzzle).

______________________________

Environments and Exploration -- mostly B
Gamer B -- Environments and Exploration: The environments should provide an alternate reality that's fun to explore. The more exploration the better. The environments should be eye-catching, detailed, and compelling. I like to observe the surroundings, and prefer a large environment with fewer hotspots (or a way to tell which hotspots are essential), rather than a smaller environment loaded with hotspots. Stylized graphics, cartoon-like graphics, photorealistic graphics -- they're all enjoyable. I drink it all in. The best gaming reward is a new area opening up to explore.

and parts of D

Gamer D -- Environments and Exploration: The environment should be fully integrated into the puzzles, so much so that often it IS the puzzles. ... I don't mind back-and-forthing if it's logical and adds to the challenge. Show me an environment with intricate paths, locked doors, tunnels, rail switchbacks and underwater caverns -- and I'm in paradise ...Photorealism is much (I'd say usually) preferred to cartoon-like graphics.

And what doesn't seem to be mentioned for any of the above is that I prefer colorful environments -- not necessarily brightly colored, but certainly not monochromatic.
______________________________________

For Atmosphere I agree with almost everything A, B, C, and D say, except I do not think that random obstacles having "nothing" to do with the story necessarily destroys the game's atmosphere. After all, in real life if I take time out to work a Sudoku (or some other puzzle), it doesn't have anything to do with the "story" of what I do the rest of the day, but at the same time it doesn't take anything away from what sort of a day I'm having and usually enhances it by giving me a break from the norm.

I'd also stress what B said here:
"Atmospheric" is not the same thing as "dark."
______________________________

I liked
The Syberia series
The first Still Life
The first Broken Sword
The first Return to Mysterious Island
The first and second Dark Fall games
Uru
Sherlock Holmes
The first and third Monkey Islands
The first Runaway
The Myst games (especially the first three)
The RHEM series
The Schizm series (and Sentinel)

Order of importance would be

Environments and Exploration with Atmosphere (I find it hard to separate them since an interesting environment will always have some sort of atmosphere)
Puzzles
Story

Also, for comedy games like Monkey Island, I'd say Characters are usually more important than anything else.

How interesting!
Well, I'm too an hybrid, I can recognize myself in A and B, probably more B!
And it suits me fine, I like all the games of group A and B and much less the games from the other groups.
Like Bigmamma, I haven't got patience for puzzles, for me the important thing is the story and the atmosphere, puzzles for me are just an impediment to the unfolding of the story!
I loved all the Dark Fall games, TLJ, Syberia and of course all the Gabriel Knight.
:StPats:

I am definately a B Story, and B and D Puzzler..

I have been thinking on this, there are some games, that pull me into being or caring about things I normally would not, its like movies ,
the ones that are the best of the best,
then the story is as important as the Puzzles, to me,
so far, that is how Darkfall:the Souls is, its amazing, the artwork in it should win an award, this game is one of the best of the best,

anyway, so maybe its more like
Puzzles first, but Story close second, that is for the Best Games...

Marcia

Hi Becky. Hears my list.
Story = A & D
Puzzles = A
Environments & Exploration = B
Atmosphere = D

Throughout I would probably say D for every question, but some variables are close, the next most frequently close letter is B.

This is pretty accurate for what games I would like considering that my favorite adventure game series are all listed under D, and about half of the series listed in B are ones I like.

Becky's article reminded me of one I read on a indie game designer's blog about types of adventure games designers. Some really fun ideas there:

http://ghostglimpse.blogspot.com/2009/06/on-puzzle-design.html

For me:
Story B
Puzzles B and a bit of D
Atmosphere B
For environments I'm not so sure. This part of B: Stylized graphics, cartoon-like graphics, photorealistic graphics -- they're all enjoyable. I drink it all in. The best gaming reward is a new area opening up to explore.
But not this: The more exploration the better. The environments should be eye-catching, detailed, and compelling.

So that's B overall.
I think Tex Murphy is the founding father of B-gaming.
But I like the games mentioned under C also.

Thanks Becky ,

This is interesting .
This is me .

Story = B
Puzzles = C
Environments & Exploration = B
Atmosphere = A

I loved SH Awakened and Jack the Ripper .
Also enjoyed these games =
AC Games ( but didn't like a lot of walking back and forth and a whole lot of talking.)
Syberia 1 & 2
Secret Files 1 & 2 (number 1 was the best )
Chronicles of Mystery (Played number 1, also have number 2 but haven't played it yet.)
Art of Murder games(Played numbers 1 & 2, have 3 but haven't played it yet.)
Enjoyed Still Life Games but did not like timed puzzles.
Also played Dark Falls Pins and Needles Edition, and The Last Half of Darkness Beyond the Spirit Eye, I enjoyed playing them too, but I rather play in 3rd person. Right now I am playing Tomb of Zojir.

I guess you would say I am a hybrid too .

I'm enjoying these great responses, and looking forward to seeing how it ties into people's votes on the upcoming List in June.

Ascovel -- I've read the article at the link you provided, and these are my guesses:

I have met The Puzzle Collector type of developer, and he designs for Gamer D.

The Puzzle Evolver and the Backtracker sound like like they are designing for Gamer C, and the The Puzzle Researcher, who emphasizes detail, especially detail in the gameworld, I think designs for Gamer B.

The Magnetic Plot Creator, with the emphasis on overarching theme and atmosphere, strikes me as designing for Gamer A, who tends to look at the Big Picture and the way everything fits together.

The Frankenstein has me perplexed. I suspect the Of Light and Darkness designer was a Frankenstein. Not sure if he fits any category, and perhaps ought not.

Gamer B -- Story:

{The only thing I disagree on is replayability,
as there are very few novels I would wish to re-read once I know The Butler Did It.}
I thoroughly enjoy sinking my teeth into a good mystery novel,
but diabetes seems to be affecting my vision so Mystery Adventure Gaming
is now my 'Virtual' Novel of Choice.

Gamer C -- Puzzles:

I have had to place too many wonderful games back on the shelf because of this.

Gamer B -- Environments and Exploration:

Whether it's a novel/movie/adventure game...
This is my opportunity to explore people/places/cultures
I would otherwise not have a chance to.

Gamer B -- Atmosphere:

Atmosphere development is just as important as character or storyline development,
and all should blend together smoothly....
Gratutious sex/vulgarity/violence/jockularity/etc, have no place in my gameworld.



Looks like I'm a "B" w/a dash of "C"!

Hi,
I would say I was an A,B, with a pinch of C thrown in, for good measure. Not much of a D. Myst, Uru, sill loaded on an older XP, but never finished. Gabriel Knights, Broken Swords, and Tex Murphy, Riddle of the Sphinx are favorites, but Delaware St. John, Art of Murder group get a play, and get finished. Still it's stories, like a good book worth a replay.
Charllotte

What an interesting thread.
I seem to fall into Gamer A for all four elements but some of my favourite games eg Dark Fall are in B.
I don't know where the Nancy Drews figure in all of this but it surprises me that the only games I've ever replayed are one or two of the Nancy Drews. As a rule I never replay games. Just as I rarely re-read books.
As someone earlier in this thread has noted - it must have something to do with knowing "that the butler did it".

A / A / B / B.

I liked the responses, and particularly resonate with katbear50. I seem to be mostly a B gamer. To me, a game has replayability if it has exceptional authenticity, mood, atmosphere, attention to detail regardless of the media (photo, cartoon, etc.) I DO re-read some novels. Maybe not "the butler did it" novels, but fantasy, science fiction, human stories about relationships and humanistic themes.

Don't like annoying repetive music. I am ok with lovely, melodious, repetive music, however. So, that said, if I like the music then I am good to go - even if it is repetitive. I used to leave Timelapse on at one particular part of the game, and turned the speakers up because the music was so beautiful. I also bought the Ravenhearst 2 soundtrack.

Games need a skip option. Do put that in, game designers.

Don't care for mazes. I get lost in my living room. I used to play games with an old time Gameboomer who was amazing at mazes. She used to write everything down and would tell me she drew a bloomin' map! I long ago would have shot myself in the neck.

I am so adaptable, though, that out of my 500+ games, I have all permutations of A through D.

I absolutely love them all. Even Nine: The Last Resort

Thanks for doing this Becky! A fertile seed for discussion!

(The closest I get to a personal rating is CCCB, but reading through your choices reinforces how full of contradictions my tastes are. I would say story is all important, but I don't mind puzzles which don't fit in, etc.)

I picked a letter from each category.
I am a MESS!

blsbet44 -- celebrate your uniquesness.

MooeyG, so funny!
I do, in fact, get myself turned around in my son's house when I go to visit. My husband has to point me in the right direction coming out of their guest bedroom!
Saying I hate mazes would be an ridiculous understatement!

Thanks Becky but I REALLY am a mess!

I guess it depends on the game. What works with one game doesn't necessarily work with another. And sometimes that goes with games within the same series (Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie). It could be the story or even game play... who knows. May it's more of a "been there, done that" syndrome. Even the slightest change (different type puzzle, new gadget etc.) in a new game from the previous game esp. in same series has me LOVIN' the game

I do know that I like gaming

I'm a Level 7 BAAGS so I guess I relate to all the categories.

Becky,
Great subject. Regarding replaying a game or rereading a book. Of course the butler did it. But did I miss, a visual or verbal hint, of how why, and I should have known sooner. I always see something new in games or books.
Charllotte

I looked through everything in your link Becky, kept changing what I decided then came to the conclusion that I was primarily an A,C & D gamer but I also enjoyed some of the games that you mentioned in B! I like & try everything but veer towards 3rd person with inventory type puzzles but actually like to try new things & enjoy most things! That probably doesn't help at all! I enjoy anything that has a good story with inventory style puzzling & also other types as long as they are well constructed & integrate into the flow!

It's hard to be just a D person. I love a good story with atmosphere.
I also love secret rooms, and solving the way into them like in 'Rhianna'.
Puzzles are the most fun a game can offer as long as they progress the story along, but I strongly don't liked timed puzzles
I think a good game covers all the 'Types' into one game.
This is a great topic and started me thinking about my best and worst villians in a game.

I think I am basically a B gamer with a little A puzzle thrown in. Games that comes to mind is Zork Nemesis and Timelapse, two of my very favorites.

Bets

well, i think i'm mostly an a/b.

story a/b
puzzles a little of each ....
environment a/b/c
atmoshere a/b/c

i enjoyed all the a and b games you listed,as well as the first "runaway ". will be starting the "uru" games soon. have to say "echo" is a big favorite.

so i'm kinda all over,too.
(no wonder we're so hard to figure out )

If I had to choose only 1 letter in each category, it would go:

Story: A
Puzzles: C
Environment: A
Atmosphere: C

Though I liked the some of the games in categories A,B & C. I thought I might like Tomb of Zojir from category D, but if it is puzzle intensive perhaps I wouldn't enjoy it.

For me, Atmosphere (suited to the genre)well blended story and puzzles with options to skip timed or dexterity puzzles really make the game. I enjoy well fleshed-out characters that evoke an emotional response. Such as Tex Murphy who always makes me laugh. Gabriel Knight is another which had many dramatic moments. These games always evoke an emotional response which is why I love them.

Though there have been a couple games which had a very negative emotional response and I played them and got rid of them.

Thanks Becky for the great editorial!

My score is:

Gamer: B (Story)

Gamer: D (Puzzles)

Gamer: B (Environments and Exploration)

Gamer B (Atmosphere)