Cutting features
• Make it look like there are more features than there actually are
• Deception
• Illusion
• Use plug-ins

Cut features
• No one will know what the original intention was
• Anything that’s not the core game loop can be cut
• Life is short, take a nap

Making it look like there’s more features than
there actually are
• Misdirection
• https://youtu.be/0PNg4KhmLCw?si=PPdlU8dHOryfxHOJ&t=287
• Path design
• Dark patterns
• Illusion
• https://youtu.be/45PdtGDGhac?si=M5paEoZ7qJzVctAX
• Reconnecting branches
• Fake doors
• Clutte

Use plug ins
• Redesign your game to fit the plug in
• Web development does this all the time, we can do it too
• There’s no shame in using other people’s work as long as you’re honest about what you’ve used

Overview
• Properly identify the problem
• Try different solutions/ iterate them
• Make big changes
• Flip the problem on its head
• Solve the problem elsewhere
• Have one solution solve multiple problems
• Use player behaviour to create solutions

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How have we used Creative Problem solving?

Creative problem solving has been a big part of the creation in Lament. This is due to the complexity of the game and how our goals for the project have developed over time.

At the start of the project we simply wanted to create a working game. It didn’t have to be ‘fun’ so to speak, just work and be playable. However, we achieved this state quite early on and as such our goal has changed from being playable to being ‘fun’. This means changing what we want to make for the game.

One of the big things that we kept discussing as a group was a ‘Boss’ in the game. The boss would be a core enemy that would make combat and narrative more interesting, however, it creates a lot of work for the people that already have a lot on their plate for the team. We still wanted to create the boss so we decieded to cut some of the original features like ‘multiple mood states that change based on which dialogue option you go with.

Speaking of dialogue we also decided to use an extremely useful plugin called ‘Yarnspinner‘ which helps us create dialogue in unique and interesting ways.