Mouse Adventure Date Announced - April 29, 2007

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I hope that isn't in response to me. There's no drama there, just a change.

No, not entirely. What I am saying is that my history with you started here. That you are with or without MousePad is of no relevance to me. In that sense, it is in response to you.

What made me post what I did is that I've been told stories of drama, some new stuff, some past stuff. It makes me glad my history with folks started when it did. It keeps me above the fray. Saving me time. And money. I posted it simply because I had no idea if there was drama, and only can glean from what others may say, whether there was any kind of drama. For that, I'm glad I'm clueless. I apologize if I wasn't clear enough.

[MovieBoy]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

As usual, though always encouraged to take instructions literally, the instructions were written poorly - so as to directly state that we would lose points from our entire overall score if we opened the clue envelopes (when, of course, what was actually meant - but not written - was that points would be taken off that single quest if it was attempted).

We do try to make the instructions as clear as possible. I can see where you could have gotten the impression that you would loose points from your overall score for the envelopes. The instructions on the quest were a bit vugue on that, aside from ending each line with "for this quest" I don't know how we would have worded that.

"Included with this quest are three envelopes. Each contains a clue to assist you in completing the task. But each one you open will cost you 10 points. You must open the envelopes in order as the point deductions are cumulative. (for example, if you open Clue #2, you will loose 10 points and you automatically also take the Clue #1 10 point deduction)"

However the warning on the envelopes was quite clear.

"WARNING
Read ALL the instructions for this quest. By opening this envelope, you will incur a penalty for this quest."

[Ghoulish Delight]

I would have added something along the lines of, "You will only be assessed the penalty if you return to Mouse Adventure Central with an answer to this quest, if you open the clues and give up, you will not be penalized." Because in past events with similar penalty-for-clue scenarios, you were penalized simply for opening the envelope whether you went on to actually attempt the quest or not.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I would have added something along the lines of, "You will only be assessed the penalty if you return to Mouse Adventure Central with an answer to this quest, if you open the clues and give up, you will not be penalized." Because in past events with similar penalty-for-clue scenarios, you were penalized simply for opening the envelope whether you went on to actually attempt the quest or not.

What he said.

We were sitting there trying to calculate out how many points we were willing to risk losing if we opened additional envelopes and could not finish the quest.

While the rules are "read all instructions" and the infamous "assume nothing" I think on some level past MAs should be taken into consideration (as shown in this example) - where in the past simply opening the envelope was a penalty; regardless of if you finished the quest or not.

[MovieBoy]

Yeah, that would work.

Sometimes we are just too close to the quests to see the problems, which is why we beta test these so many times. The DCA part of that quest had beta testers speaking whale trying to figure out the names they were looking for, which was never what was intended by us.

None of the beta testers had an issue with the instructions, that is why they were not more clear.

As far as more puzzle quests, what kinds of past quests did you like or have in mind?

[Ponine]

Originally Posted by ~MS~

Wow..............I read it, didn't believe what I saw went and checked the webpage...there just aren't words right now...

I agree. Though I didnt happen to see the announcement, but I agree with the rest.

I hope that your new plan is a good one for you Alex.
For me, even though I havent played the lat two games, you were part of the reason I continued playing.

Take that how you like, but I admired what you accomplished and looked forward to seeing you there.

Thats hard to fathom I'm sure being that we've never said more then five words, but there it is.

[katiesue]

Swanie and I were having a little discussion about what would be considered cheating in the Soarin' quest. We didn't even attempt to ride the ride but guessed so this is all hypothetical.

I think if you were to have waited in line, watched the pre-show clip and noticed the order. Thought it was correct and left the building without riding the ride that's ok. You waited like everyone else and you're taking the chance that the pre-show order was right.

Our grey area discussion is asking a CM if you can just go watch the pre-show, not waiting in line. I'd put this in the cheating category since technically you are asking a CM for help, right?

Anyway just one of those things that got us thinking. And I also agree that the people who used the CM assistance on Small World is cheating. Even if you didn't ask for it.

[Kevy Baby]

Is it really cheating if you don't get caught?

Being free of a conscience is very liberating.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yeah, I agree katiesue. Unless the instructions say not to bail out of an attraction early, I don't have a problem with staying in long long enough to see what you need to see and then getting out. But asking (or accepting and offer) to be allowed to cut or otherwise do something out of the ordinary seems like it crosses a line, imo.

As for puzzle types, I'm a fan of cryptogram/letter replacement type puzzles. Logic problems that can actually be solved logically rather than by trial and error. Pictogram puzzles. All the better if the keys needed to solve the puzzles are to be found around the park(s).

I think what stuck out to me the most was that most of the quests were pretty one-dimensional. Fun, but I found myself several times getting an answer and going through the process, "Okay, what do I do with this now that I have it? Oh, it's the final answer, nothing else?" I guess I learned that I like multi-step puzzles. "Find the answer to this part, use it to figure out this puzzle which will ask you the final quesiton." But maybe that's just me.

[BarTopDancer]

In case anyone cares - MA will not be Nov 4th.