How These Puzzles Deceive You
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- Опубліковано 10 чер 2024
- Updates on the next video over on Twitter: bit.ly/3wGQ1TR
There are plenty of ways you can design a good puzzle level in your game, but in this video I'm going to talk only about the best kind of puzzle design.. the DECIEVING one. I'm sure most of you have no idea what I'm talking about but a lot of popular games like Inside, Baba is You and even Portal utilize this design without you even noticing so that's why I'm going to analyze the way these games implemented it and also show you how I did it in my game Concerned Joe, the Move or Die precursor that never got released.
Relevant Links
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Patreon: bit.ly/2SwPWDB
Discord: bit.ly/3wI5ovB
Useful Resources
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Johnatan Blow's talk about puzzle design : • Storytime with Jonatha...
Video Contents
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0:00 Intro
0:35 The Design of Misleading Puzzles
2:52 Double Take Puzzle Design
6:16 Examples
10:26 Design Breakdown - Ігри
So it turns out seeing your own face in someone else's video is tantamount to a jump scare
Wow cool hi gmtk
Oh hi Mark
Dani, the youtube developer to crab game learned that when he put his face on the red light green light robot. Players still call it cursed.
Just found this channel and remembered you
Your video about "What Makes a Good Puzzle?" you talk about "The Assumption" and "The Catch". To me it seemed like basically the same concept as this video. What do you think?
Not gonna lie, I kinda wish I could play concerned joe right now.
Same.
Same
same
same
who the hell is concerned joe
The ending really made me realize something new and insightful, don't want to spoil it tough
The ending was so epic lol
yeah, i want to explain what i understood about it, which is a lot, but i swore not to spoil
Favorite part of the video, hands-down
And how it cuts the the intro! I'm still sitting here, trying not to go crazy over how cool that was!
Oh I was reading this while the outro was playing, so I got a bit confused lol
The best way to make a puzzle engaging is not to give the player the solution, but to make them think they came up with the solution themselves
Or just be able to solve the puzzle logically with what’s been set up.
@@Gadget-Walkmen That's not quite good enough, though, since then you can have a door with a lock, and then a key on a table. The player technically is able to solve the "puzzle" with what's in front of them, but I doubt anyone would feel clever about that.
That is literally the definition of a PUZZLE!
Portal:reloaded has ends to each level in both timelines, and I happened to feel kind of proud of myself that I solved a puzzle in the wrong timeline. It showed a solution and let me discover my own solution.
? Nah the best way is obviously to give the solution and also execute it automatically so that the player doesn’t even touch the controller.
Can’t believe the ending what a twist! Definitely need to watch all the way through!
I can’t believe I got played by a conclusion of a video
TWICE NOW WHAT???
what
Bro, y tricked me
omg fr fr fr fr dude this is like meta
absolutely subverting our directions, god damn. thought it was just the 1 music gag but then no, there's an actual like twist
The setup and punchline of the "good job, you found the suicide button!" trap was so damn good.
Why laugh at the player's misfortune when you can laugh with them?
the narrator is Amazing
@@DrRankunless the player happens to be suicidal themselves
You actual madman. I was excited to hear your reason behind not releasing the game then immediately realised I’ve been bamboozled.
Dude holy guacamole that ending was so insightful and mind blowing
13:15 slanted tiles? What about: if you are running on top of the block and against a wall, the box will move away from the wall because your body is pushing against an immovable object and your feet are pushing the box it away from that immovable object :V
@@MentalCheckpoint Well, in my case for a VR game where the player has a locosphere (a ball at the feet is used for walking on a physics-based VR player controller) it literally happens automatically, you can even go on top of a ball and (if you are skilled enough) you can ride the ball like a circus clown hahaha.
@@MentalCheckpoint with a good physics engine it could be okay to work everywhere, not only on walls, so that the box moves left if you run to the right on top of it, but yeah the slanted tile seems easier to program
If it was just one step, you couldn't do that cause you would run away.
But instead of doing it by hand, you could program it such that the slenders appear while building the levels without you having to place them.
That could cause headaches in puzzle design. There was one side button that the player had to constantly run against to activate and one button that the player had to stand on top of a box to reach. If running into walls while on a box pushed it away, you could have your players pushing their box platform out from underneath themselves trying to activate wall switches.
@@MentalCheckpoint or you could have the box move at a speed that is proportional to the difference between character current speed and player input speed, as long as the player is on top. Then you don't have to worry about walls. And it opens possibilities with the character's inertia.
I believe GMTK simply called “Double Take Puzzle Design” “The Assumption” in his video. It’s a tough choice on which moniker I prefer…
I like "double take" better, because that's the point: to push you into a second perspective
Bait and Switch. A great way to get the player pissed off at the developer, because it's not about the puzzle, it's about insulting the player.
That conclusion was slamming man
Yo that ending is sick
Paused at 10:11, bought and played through INSIDE, and came back 3 and a half hours later to finish the video. No regrets.
I always wondered why you never finished concerned joe, i remember at the time i was following it quite closely waiting for a release date since i liked the flash version so much, and next thing i knew, you were working on the party game version of that concept.
I am so glad you used gameplay from The Witness, that game was such a hard game at first, took a few months. You should’ve used gameplay from hue too though, a game about color and when you change the color it reveals some blocks you can move and removes blocks of the same color, another good double take game
Ive played hue, such a surprisingly good gem
Man, I just, you know, call it trolling the player. You're certainly embracing that with the sassy narrator.
Wooow the statement at the end is super smart and mind-blowing! Worth a subscription and a like!
I was just about to start designing a few puzzles for a tech demo of a physics-based VR shooter and these concepts are just the best haha
Edit: lol I had no idea he would ask the people to talk about it 2 seconds after I paused the video lmao, definitively worth it watching the whole way through.
Mindblowing video as always! The most underrated youtuber I've ever seen; I'm looking forward to seeing you reaching hundreds of thousands, or maybe even millions of subscribers ^^
what a mind blowing conclusion
Wow! That conclusion was so crazy, I had to pause and reconcider life as a whole for a minute. It is just mind boggling how much amazingness you packed into that last minute!
That ending honestly changed the way I thought about puzzle games as a whole. It really tied everything together in a neat bow, which I’ve never seen a video do so perfectly before!
Man, that outro - the one that wouldnt make sense without watching the entire video - was absolutely incredible!
That ending was so heart filled and inspiring, it's really made me think about how I do things and I couldn't spoil it for you as it's an experience.
Seeing as to how much I have enjoyed move or die, I would be pretty stoked for concerned Joe. Also that ending was crazzzyy like I can't believe you would say such a smart thing at the end.
One of the few channels I watch the outros on. You really make it worth it with such insightful remarks.
Honestly, that ending was insane! Never expected such a twist!
Where do you look for music to back your videos? They really help with the flow and presentation, plus i just desperately need the outro song in my library.
The announcement at the end killed me
I recently bought a cast iron puzzle thats 2 parts connected to each other, they had a small amount of flex and jiggle, but no matter how much you twist, turn or bend the puzzle, it doesn't budge. Turns out you have to spin the puzzle on its axis and it will unlock itself. Felt like this was a great example of subversive puzzle design
Wow that conclusion was SO mind-blowing and insightful. What a twist!
The ending is so mindbreaking that it's solely the reason why I want to came back programming the second time.
*That was the most most twisted/awesome/mind-blowing ending Ive EVER SEEN!!*
loved that mindblowing ending, you are so good at making twists like that !
everyone NEEDS to watch the whole thing its so good
Slanted walls really are clever, you can just use any physics solution and they'll work more or less, without needing too much extra code. Neat.
Not as neat as the mind-blowing ending. Clever cutoff.
One of my favorite such puzzles is literally called "Deception" in the Talos Principle. It's in one of the early areas, it doesn't have as much elements as later puzzles, but still it's probably the most memorable puzzle in the game to me by the way it's guiding you to approach it.
I swear, I've come back to his videos on a somewhat regular basis. I rewatch them and, like, just how he explains stuff is so relaxing yet insightful. Just... so good!
mindblowing conclusion
How insightful and mind blowing that conclusion was, definitely worth watching to the end.
please fully release Concerned Joe.
it sounds like a fine addition to my puzzle game collection.
Wow what a great conclusion!
That aside I really wish I could play Concerned Joe, don't get me wrong Move or Die is really fun but having those (and many other) interesting mechanics in a singleplayer puzzle game sounds great (especially considering how few friends I have and how not many of them own move or die)
Just skip to the end, lol.
That final conclusion was truly a transcendent experience. Bravo Mr. Berbece, bravo...
An amazing ending to that video man! Definitely worth the wait!
I restarted a game on the Talos Principle these days and it's amazing how it confirms all your videos. I understand the game mechanics in a new way now, and it improves my game experience even more ! Thank you for your content, keep going !
I think I would also choose it for the "great hidden tutorial" category (from your last video)
darn you Mental Checkpoint! That ending had me dancing a little
this channel needs so much more attention. the editing is crisp and elegant, your voice is smooth and easy to listen to, the information about game design, while not really useful for me, is still really interesting. excellent content right there.
now about the content of this video, what you just described is what i like the most about puzzle games, when games give you some information, but not all of it. like the level at 7:00. if you just told the player beforehand that you can do that with blocks, this level would've been boring and would be just about doing the right thing and moving to the next level.
also in the same level, there's another idea i really like, and that is nudging the player towards the wrong solution. it forces the player to think out of the box, and makes them feel like they outsmarted the game. i absolutely love when i solve a puzzle like that
An astonishing ending, could be one of the best you put out. Great video!
Holy crap, that ending. Pure poetry. My passion for game design was completely rekindled by that last paragraph alone. Thank you.
I can't believe how insightful and mind-blowing that was!
So glad I watched till the outro!
8:30
took me a few minutes while i was paused and then i noticed
"you push it half way"
i wasn't sure if i accidentally found loophole or not either lmao
What an insightful and mindblowing conclusion!
oh and 15:30 you are just evil. i wanna play that!
Everything before the final conclusion of the video was fine and dandy, but that ending truly re-contextualized everything I had learned previously: offering a satisfying, thought-provoking, new and insightful conclusion to a fantastic essay on puzzle design. My life is forever changed.
Not very many people walk you through their process of designing puzzles, so this is super valuable
That was one of the best endings i’ve ever seen. Incredible stuff
Watching this ending made me feel something I never felt before, and I do not like it. Loved the video tho, amazing as always
One of the best game design videos I've seen in a while. Keep it up!
That conclusion was insightful and/or mind-blowing!
That ending was spectacular, can’t believe he announced when the game was gonnna come out!
I recognize, played and finished most of the games featured in this video. Let's see, I will write each game's first appearance as I watch the video for the first time:
- The Witness (0:35)
- Snakebird (1:14)
- Superliminal (1:16)
- Portal 2 (1:28)
- Braid (1:58)
- Inside (2:46)
- Antichamber (2:55)
- Portal (3:44)
- Stephen's Sausage Roll (4:40) //I like that it has my name in the title, but damn the puzzles are hard
- Half-Life 2: Chapter One (5:33)
- Baba is You (6:02)
- Talos Principle (6:13)
- Stanley's Parable (9:09)
- Language, Young Man (9:52)
- (?) Q.U.B.E. 2 (10:26) //not sure, probably not this one thou
- Mad Age & This Guy (10:31) // had no idea, I thought it was some sort of Cyberpunk Sokoban
- The Pedestrian (14:34)
- (?)LoL, idk (14:51) // maybe Talos again?
Such an insightful and minblowing conclusion: most of these games were in the credits already...I feel dumb now for never reading the credits, just listening to your soothing voice.
P.S. Homework #1 & #2 successfully completed btw
I think 10:26 is Manifold Garden and 14:51 is Lightmatter.
that ending statement was deep, man.
The way your additional remarks at the end tie all these design concepts together is sublime. I feel like my brain has been rewired and im a more creative and insightful person now. Mind blown.
I would absolutely love a finished version of this game, even maybe as an additional game mode in move or die
Definitely would be interested in playing Concerned Joe! Great video! I'm definitely a big fan of this kind of puzzle design. Though I wonder if a way to reinforce making sure players do both the vertical and lateral thinking is to sometimes only include the vertical thinking as the solution. That way the game trains you to try it because it could be the answer.
What an amazing conclusion, very complex and seriously thought out. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can with a 100% confidence say that it was worth watching the whole video for
Wow. The ending was so insightful and mind blowing. Well done.
That ending is the cherry on an already delicious and beautifully constructed cake, a round applause for you!
Join me in feeding the algorithm!
does this suffice?
FOOD
@@cupofdirtfordinner the algorithm always hungers for more p-p
so yes, but we need more
ah ouh
@@ThunderDraws No.. dad.. dont eat the food
I love you mental checkpoint. That outro is absolutely justified
The way everything ties together in the end is fantastic! Keep up the great work.
I'll send this to my GM. His puzzles are hella confusing and don't have any kind of tutorial inside of them. To the point where "alchemy puzzle" is an inside joke.
lol
can i see u play them
@@starpeep5769 we don't record and haven't played in a while. Besides, we play in russian.
I was just a depressed man, but then after watching the ending of the video, I've managed to defeat my depression, win a lottery, get a wife, have 2 kids, and beat Bezos' net worth. Thank you so much for the insightful and mind blowing ending, Mr. Mental Checkpoint.
the entire video was very informative and engaging, but the twist in the conclusion really changed my view of video games and puzzles in general in a way I never thought possible
the ending really summaries the method... well done snd nice video
Leaving all the game titles here since I see a ton of unanswered comments about them.
0:42 - The Witness
1:14 - Snakebird
1:16 - Superliminal
1:28 - Portal
2:00 - Braid
2:47 - Inside
2:56 - Antichamber
4:40 - Stephen's Sausage Roll
6:04 - Baba is You
9:15 - Stanley Parable
9:23 - Talos Principle
10:27 - Manifold Garden
10:31 - Mad Age & This guy
14:34 - The Pedestrian
Do give a like to the comment so others can see this instead of asking in futility.
ps: These are all great games and I would recommend everyone to try them if you like puzzlers.
Some more Puzzlers to add for those interested:
Limbo
Fez
Gorogoa
Monument Valley
Mekorama
Return of the Obra Dinn
Room Series
Honorary mentions:
Machinarium
Her Story
What Remains of Edith Finch
Kentucky Route Zero
Ori and the Blind Forest
Hollow Knight
Thank you and 10:31 is "Mad Age & This Guy"
@@user-nh6oi9ey4u Thanks. I'll edit it in.
"Good job, you found the suicide button" with that voice
I immediately had to think about handsome jack^^$
Edit: also solid conclusion by the way, really made me think
that conclusion was so insightfull and mindblowing
Great video man! Loved the ending bit aswell.
Hope to see more context man!
I played along and paused to try and figure out the puzzle as suggested in the video. I quickly came up with the idea of pushing the box only halfway through, but I dismissed it because I thought the other boxes and the other button surely had a purpose. Turns out, those were just red herrings. In my opinion, that is very poor puzzle design. Using such excessive red herrings is cheap and just creates artificial difficulty. Puzzles feel satisfying when they force you to come up with creative ways to use the elements at your disposal, not when you have to select which elements to use and which elements are just there to trick you.
I hate this sort of puzzle
As soon as you see the "trick" the solution is obvious
Just feels like it's wasting your time
one year later, and the conclusion of the video is still up to date and very helpful - thanks for sharing :D
The ending of this video truly subverted my expectations. I was not expecting that outcome. Great job!
This was super interesting! Especially the conclusion gave me a really good understanding of making puzzles
Dude I can't believe the conclusion! So thought out and nicely delivered. 10/10
I never thought about what you said in the outro that way, that's a really good way to put it
holy shit! That ending was so unexpectedly amazing!
Most of the video I found myself _almost_ falling asleep, but that *_ending_* was something else!
Why I subbed right there.
This was a great watch and the conclusion was very insightful
Was debating leaving a comment about how quality your work already is but honestly, after the ending? Definitely. Ties in so well with the theme, good job.
The conclusion was eye-opening, will definitely incorporate it in the future. Thanks a lot homie!
That outro was AMAZING!!! It was not something that I expected, but boy was it awesome!
It's incredible how entertaining, informative and engaging this video is at the same time! You might have just become my new favorite UA-camr, and I will watch your career with great interest.
That really was some amazing insight there at the end, thank you!
Man the ending was amazing, watched it again and again. But I want you to watch to the end, it’s worth it.
Wow. That conclusion. Super mind blowing and insightful.
The thing you said at the end was so smart, mindblowing!
That conclusion was insightful and mindblowing!
That ending was mind-blowing
lmao when you showed the first puzzle from Concerned Joe, I was immediately like oh he's talking about the puzzles that make you do a double take XD
Wow! Mind blowing insight at the end that I wouldn’t have understood when I would’ve skipped there!
Honestly, the ending of this video is super creative and interesting. Props to you!
that was such an insightful ending.. im glad i decided to stick around for the outro
The end was almost the best part! Definitely worth it!!