Dragongirl

I don't know about boa, but I don't recall seeing any instruction on how to play other custom scenario. Speaking from a newbie's point of view, I open the zip file and see many files - one I can guess that it is the scenario file, and one has .bmp. But how about .meg? Certainly, for those who are not familiar with mac/pc different graphic file would have no clue what to do with them. I think it should be assumed that a game player dl the game to play, not to make a guess which file goes where. #2. Yes, I mean the stat of the party incase the actual file erupts. #4. It might not be a good solution, but still designers should try to be a bit more farsight. Nothing is more frustrating than playing some games, get stuck, and have nowhere to turn to and unable to contact the designer.

However size and level of your scenario, it is always a good idea to have a readme file with the followings: 1. 'how to' - Simple instructions of playing the game sometimes means a whole lot to a new player. Most designers are already such experienced players that they forget about being a greenhorn in this area. 2. If you include a prefabricated party, there is a chance that it might not work for some players. Please put the data of that party in the text file; it could help adding more players to your scenario. 3. Some people like reading walkthrough or hint. If there is some importance data that could influence finishing of the game, it won't hurt to write it down. 4. Have multiple (workable) email addresses. 5 or 7 years from now, someone will still download your game and play it. So, if you are a last-year college student, don't just give your school's email address. Post another one that you will be sure to check regularly - that is if you wish to read feedback from your players. ** This is probably more of a comment than a real article.

from a consumer's point of view or from a novice player - Please refrain from JV's trapped room puzzle (ie orb storing room in AV2). I played AV2 and found this is rather annoying. It was less frustrating for me since I use the walkthrough, but I know I won't have interest to try to solve it on my own. The most I would do is to take damage from whatever traps and just hightail out of there.

from a consumer's point of view or from a novice player - Please refrain from JV's trapped room puzzle (ie orb storing room in AV2). I played AV2 and found this is rather annoying. It was less frustrating for me since I use the walkthrough, but I know I won't have interest to try to solve it on my own. The most I would do is to take damage from whatever traps and just hightail out of there.

is there an answer for Q1?

I agree about the trainer's cap, especially it seems illogical to place Learn Guass at the hardest area which by that time, the char should have been quite strong anyway. Also, having some early quests that give a free stat only means that we get cheated on the available trainer's offer in the next area - that is quite frustrating. Actually, instead of larger areas, I'd rather see work done on tidbit things that have been discussed here like better use of wands, two handed weapon ability, etc.

1. In GF, I accidentally renamed the auto save file and now want to renamed it back to original but can't. How do I solve this problem? For that matter, how do I delete any unwanted files just so I don't get confused the new game ones with old ones???? 2. I want to register for BoE, but want to get BoA as well for some discount. However, my pc is window, so I can't ply the BoE now until the other is out. Is it possible to do preorder of BoA so that I can register for BoE and play its scenarios waiting for the new BoA? regards. PS: I want to commend on your AV trilogy hintbooks. They are useful and fulfilling, certainly made up for what GF hintbooks lack (maybe due to style of games - but you really need to do spellchecks on GF hintbooks)

maybe I am just a lousy game player then. But wait till you reach Barzite and Taker regions.... anyway, I just want to point out for the last time that I have nothing against a game being hard at torment level, but I feel it is rather too difficult for easy or normal level, comparing to the previous GF. To me, it seems ridiculous to gain level so quickly in the beginning just to go and do valley quests and get killed for measely 1 xp/monster (such as at the spawner place). (not that I don't like skill points to spend) With experience and patience, out of demo areas, it is doable for me but I would end up washed out - dreading to go on and getting beat up so often - just personal issue on self fulfillment, maybe....

Dunbar, if you would, please post your recommend stats of your agent at the end of the game. I like to be agent too, usually those npc with me don't live long although they serve some purposes. About the next GF, I would like to see a more detailed resistance list there. Why on earth that for instance energy resistance is not listed although it exists in the game? GF1 is ok for me, but GF2 is just a tad too hard even on lower difficulty. It gets me tired and bored by the end of the game.

One thing that I prefer GF2 to GF1 is that one is able to get various powerful items earlier in the game where as in GF1, one gets powerful weapons late in the game successively which makes it's less fullfilment (and not as enjoyable) in using them.

I have just played Avernum series, and I like that when pc faces monsters, there is usually message asking for attack and in town mode, one can also attack without going into combat mode. I wish GF has that b/c many times, I got into combat mode just barely at an edge of monster's vision but unfortunately not my vision thus cost me some ap. And definitely, more variety of inventory item graphic - maybe some differential between regular items and special items.

I could care less about music, but I would like to see a more balanced difficulty in the future GF. GF1 is well-balanced throughout the game. I didn't feel too intimidated stepping out from demo regions whereas in GF2, the demo areas are rather ridiculously easy (not counting Sharon's creatures, of course), then WOW!!! after that, it is just like hell. I realize there are people who love tough challenging games out there, but that's why there are different difficulties to choose from. Please make easy or normal level more suitable for new players.

Missile weapons should have more roles then when deal with the flying creatures. Got one more - How about options of dismissing npc characters in which you can pick them up after dismissing them with maybe requiring a few lucks or high leadership?

Ditto with Replicant (#4) on missile weapons and maybe the game can give more detailed description on each missile type's ability. I found use for crystals since they cost only 3 ap/round, but wands and batons just lost their significance under those powerful spell skills. How about creatures that can fly and attack from air?

would love to see an option ending where one can remain in the GF world and become for instance, a merchant. For those who forsake the shaper's rules, ie joining awakened or Takers, why bother go back to shaper council at all? Moreover, some kind of spider monsters would be nice and take out mice - they give me nightmare!!!

One thing I KNOW I don't want GF to become - another Exile or Avernum game. Sorry to say this, but I don't like their graphics and the 'kicking barrels around' never appeal me and so on. I like GF b/c it is so different from Exile and Avernum. I like the lone character with clear graphic that enables me to identify my character (though inventory graphic could have been better). If there is GF3, I would just like to see it returns to simplicity of GF1 with some additional nice spells from GF2 and idea of trainers.

How do I move the game (ie geneforge) to a new pc with least harzard? Do I need a fresh download? Won't the registered key reset and require new one?

I would like that my creations (joined or crated) are able to carry some weight too. Also, it would be nice if I can share some of my armors/tools on them. I like many expanding ideas/spells/tools in GF2, but I think sometimes those are too overwhelming for new players. I don't think all of those battle magic spells are that necessary. So far, I have not had much use of spells like acid shower or others much energy cost spells. I think the game should stick to basic firebolt, searer, orbs, and encourage the players to utilize more on crystals and wands weapons. Somehow, I think the game makes those tools to become unnecessarily complicated and pointless. Better description of item would also be nice. I like to have fixing amount of XP for each quest (like in GF2) independent of level (like in GF1). Lastly, I would like to have not so long-winded journey like GF2. I got tired and bored by the time I reach Syro.