Mister
Level: Master Delver
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A simple idea: orbs that can be activated only once, then gets destroyed.

zex20913
Level: Smitemaster

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What would the benefit be? This would simply add much hassle to the game, and much needless restarting. Also, it would not add puzzle elements to the game, other than efficiency, but the efficiency would have need for much trial and error. I don\'t think this will be put into the game.

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Boksha
Level: Roachling
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Hmm... cracked orbs might throw a short beam of lightning to the doors they connect with every second or so. Finding out whether the orb closes, opens or toggles would still suck though. How about these things can only toggle for clearness?
Hmm... may not be a good idea anyway. Couldn\'t tell. I suck at making puzzles myself

levelthirteen
Level: Master Delver
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It is nearly possible to do this with trapdoors; some of the rooms in level 15 have single use orbs.

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agaricus5
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zex20913 wrote:
What would the benefit be? This would simply add much hassle to the game, and much needless restarting. Also, it would not add puzzle elements to the game, other than efficiency, but the efficiency would have need for much trial and error. I don\'t think this will be put into the game.

Hmm...I see the point, but I wouldn\'t go as far as to say that it has no potential at making new puzzle elements.

For example, if a chamber needs to be cleaned out and the monsters need to be moved, level 9 style, then the orb makes sure that you can only hit it once, so you need to have got it right. I know you may argue that you can already do this with trapdoors/force arrows, but it does have a small advantage over conventional orbs by saving the space and being able to be positioned anywhere you like.

So, perhaps it\'s not one of the most promising of ideas, but I believe that it has potential as an addition to DROD puzzles. And anyway, for lack of other arguments, you can always say that it adds variatio to DROD.

Just a thought...

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Oneiromancer
Level: Legendary Smitemaster

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Perhaps one could re-apply this suggestion to at least have graphics differentiating between orbs that can be \"toggled\" and ones that only work once. This would only be a cosmetic change, obviously, since it wouldn\'t affect any of the puzzles, except to make it a little less frustrating to predict the results of your actions in some rooms.

Game on,

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Scott
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The game basically already has orbs that can be only hit once. Lots of orb do the same thing everytime they are hit and thats really the same thing you are suggesting.

zex20913
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Yeah...the thing would probably be far too much coding for something that can be done already. Not that I know anything about coding.

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leventdal
Level: Delver
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A cracking orb would produce extra space for both Beethro and monsters. This may add additional puzzle elements. (Like crumbled walls)

zex20913
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I still think it should be a no go. The puzzle element that is added is not large enough, because it can be done already. While I agree that it does add variation, that is the bane of the cherry dimension.

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bradwall
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What would the difference be between a cracked orb and an orb that only lets you open the door or close the door (not toggle the door)? Seems to be the same to me (except for how the orb looks). So, I would vote no on this.

Oneiromancer
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bradwall wrote:
What would the difference be between a cracked orb and an orb that only lets you open the door or close the door (not toggle the door)? Seems to be the same to me (except for how the orb looks). So, I would vote no on this.

Except that if another orb then opens (or closes) that door again, you can sometimes get back to the original orb and it still works. This would prevent that.

I do agree that it doesn't add that much, but I still would like color differentiation between orbs that toggle and those that don't. Although this might make it annoying when you build levels, having to choose a new object just to change how the orb works. Or perhaps that wouldn't be necessary.

Game on,

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NoahT
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I have a suggestion.

Perhaps, instead of the orb just going away, after it is struck it disappears for X # of turns and can't be used until it reappears. This will also provide space when the orb isn't there. This might at least add some strategy.

-Noah

[Edited by NoahT on 07-03-2003 at 05:29 PM GMT: Change in wording]

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zex20913
Level: Smitemaster

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You sure do like your X# of turns. But, I don't think this would help the idea at all. It may even hinder the qualities it had. The timing thing would be interesting, but I don't think it would enhance it.

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NoahT
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I'd guess you're right.

We all know you can't always get what you want, including DROD feature requests.

This must just be one of those no-no ideas.

Good luck posting to all!

-Noah

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zex20913
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Bumping for a sorta addition by way of the closer thread. I think a better way to use the cracked orbs would be to make them either open, toggle, or close every door on the screen. This takes out the trial and error aspect from it that it had before, especially if there is a different appearance between the different orbs' duties.

I.E, the "Open all" cracked orb is green, the toggle is orange, and the close is red. Or whichever colors aren't used yet.

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DiMono
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Neat additional idea, zex, but I see one problem with it:

It would take the architects FAR more time to figure out interesting puzzles using this than it will ever take a player to solve. I like the idea, I just think it needs some more development. Thoughts, anyone?

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The_Red_Hawk
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I can just think of someone creating a room filled with cracked orbs and you have to go through them without hitting certain ones or you wouldn't be able to leave the room.

I think that this is really too similar to the normal orbs. How about giving it another special quality? Perhaps it can toggle doors that are only visible when shut?

Maybe we could merge this into another type of orb, for example the red orb, or whichever one can change trapdoor states. Maybe they can only be used once, which sort of goes with the way that trapdoors can only be used once. By the way, can the player tell if an orb is cracked before hitting it?

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zex20913
Level: Smitemaster

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Yes, a player should be able to tell if an orb is cracked, even if barely, like the crumbly walls in Palace design.

I don't like doors that can't be seen, that pop up. That would cause immense player frustration. The open yellow door design is good, invisible doors would be bad. No thought would be directed toward planning for it.


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joker5
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Darn... The_Red_Hawk took the words right out of my mouth about using these to block a player. This could be VERRRRRRY fun.

The following assumes the orbs only toggle the doors the architect wants them to toggle:
Imagine, Beethro has just cleared out half the room, and the rest of the room is blocked off by a thick wall. Beethro has two choices: Head forth to the other half or head back to the last room. He decides to go forth through one of the corridors he notices. But wait! The hallway is blocked off! Beethro must break the orb that's in his way to go on. Perhaps this releases monsters, somewhere, maybe it shuts the door out(so he needs to hit another orb), or maybe it primes a puzzle in the next half of the room. I agree this could be replaced with 2 yellow doors and a toggle orb, but this is niftier because something else that hits orbs can ALSO use it to open the way permanently for come-what-may.

This is a great idea, and I would like to see this developed and implemented.

~joker5

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