Common Sense Corner

[DerVVulfman]

In the case of games like Morrowind and Oblivion, you're guided by NPCs who tell you to move along here or there. As you get into the game, pop-ups appear instructing you how to enter your equipment menus, arm yourself, and perform an attack. Doors may remain locked to prevent you from going too far in the beginning area until you actually perform the described task, ensuring you know how to do it. However, I was a little miffed at Oblivion's persuasion system.

I did the same with my Lycan Demo. When you're dropped into the Swamp Village, you only had three NPCs, one told you how to equip your sword and bow and how to use them while the other gave you a six pack and told you how to chug 'em down. You couldn't even get outside of the village until you talked to the two that armed and supplied you with provisions (a 6-pack). And once you entered the actual swamp with the nasties, another popup told you how to do the rest.

And with my Vehicles demo, the first boat you encounter.... EVERYONE presses [ENTER] to board the boat the first time! The demo actively says 'You're pressing Enter. Press SHIFT to board/unboard a vehicle.' That seems to tell the player how to use a boat pretty quickly and effectively

I can understand about a space simulator having a complex learning curve insofar as the cockpit's dashboard, learning fuel management, having to balance the energy drain of an auto-repair system vs the energy cannons and shield systems when in battle, discovering what different alien cultures treasure in trade while attempting barter, and so forth. But the mechanics of an RPG and how one controls the player and deals with the characters should not contain that much of a learning curve.

AKA, beginning maps and first time appearances of features should guide the player to some degree. Don't throw them into the lake expecting them to know how to swim!