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)