Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Behavioral modeling is too big a subject for us to address comprehensively here.
Consult the references for further reading.
Mind Reading
If your game allows the player to select a simulated character—usually done by
clicking the character with the mouse—you can offer another useful analytical
tool: mind reading. To let the player know what's on that individual's mind, pop up
an icon or even a whole dialog box showing the character's internal state: current
goal, degree of happiness, or whatever data might be useful to the player. This lets
the player get a quick, rough sense of how the people feel without having to turn to
a chart or a graph.
Advisors
Another tool commonly found in CMSs is the advisor: a game character who pops
up from time to time and gives the player advice (see Figure 18.3 ). Because prob-
lems are often local to one area of the map, the player might be looking at another
area when trouble occurs and not see it until it grows severe. By creating an advi-
sor, you can warn the player of problem conditions wherever they occur. You might
also consider including a screen button or menu item that moves the camera to the
location of the most recently reported problem.
FIGURE 18.3
Theme Park World .
Note the advisor in the
lower right corner.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search