4 replies to this topic

[notmichaeljfox]

I've disabled saving in my game unless you visit specific statues, and I'm trying to create a NPC that indicates a statue is available without breaking the fourth wall by using the words 'save' or 'progress'. My attempts so far have been pretty ordinary. The best I have come up with is "The lock above my lab takes you to a shrine once used by those faced with death", which sounds like it could also be a fairy or potion.

 

Does anyone have any better ideas?

[Moosh]

Few thoughts here. Firstly, you should absolutely under no circumstances use the "Save Point" combo type with the default settings. Instead use a trigger with a button prompt and the ->ComboType Effects flag. The default save point requires pressing start to activate it, which is so obtuse you can't really convey it to the player without spelling it out.

 

For the design of a save point you want it to be something big and eye catching and memorable, preferably with some text scrawled at the base of the statue to indicate it's an object that can be inspected. You also want to put the first one directly in the intended path so the player knows to be on the lookout for them.

 

In terms of flavor text describing it, I'd say as little as possible. As you indicated it's hard to convey that something's a save point without using meta terminology. In addition, "once used by those who faced death" can be read as a bad thing if a player is skimming through text. Brain sees "death" in the string and goes "Whoa, I'm not ready for that yet." It could also give the player any number of other false expectations which could lead them to avoid it for some reason or another. The essential information to get across is that the statue is good and that you should go check it out moreso than what it does.

[notmichaeljfox]

I haven't used the combo.    I've used your NPC dialogue branch add on (https://www.purezc.n...=scripts&id=296) to call a script that saves the game (https://www.purezc.n...=scripts&id=111). My statue has a unique shape, and the first couple of them have arrows pointing at them.

 

 

Focusing on the statue and not the effect is a great idea, like your scripts. 

[Alucard648]

I used golden pedestal with Triforce statue on it and letter S at the base for save points.

[notmichaeljfox]

My game is Zelda-based but not Triforce-based, so I went for a Sheikah-esque design.

 

There's not much red in my game, so they stand out enough.