Newsgroups: rec.arts.int-fiction
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From: mkinyon@peabody.iusb.indiana.edu (Michael Kinyon)
Subject: Reaction to Avalon plus other threads
Message-ID: <CLDwpJ.EHx@sun2.iusb.indiana.edu>
Keywords: Avalon
Sender: mkinyon@peabody.iusb.indiana.edu (Michael Kinyon)
Nntp-Posting-Host: peabody.iusb.indiana.edu
Organization: Indiana Unixversity South Bend
References: <2jv7cp$br5@agate.berkeley.edu> <2k0af4$i19@seismo.css.gov> <2k0cvk$lcc@agate.berkeley.edu>
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 19:56:07 GMT
Lines: 51

In article <2k0cvk$lcc@agate.berkeley.edu> whizzard@uclink.berkeley.edu 
 (Gerry Kevin Wilson) writes:
>Avalon will most likely be out around May.  Hopefully.  The first section of
>it is currently in betatesting to save time later.  Maybe one of the
>betatesters would post up their reactions to it.  (Be honest guys.  I can
>take it.)

Very well.  I like what I've seen of Avalon.  In my view, it's main
strengths so far are the nonplayer characters.  They are fairly well developed,
and it is interesting to read their interactions with each other.

As far as puzzles go, in this (small) section of the game, they are
(with one exception) straightforward for an experienced player.

As far as literary quality, what I've seen so far is pretty good.
Comparing it with other non-Infocom offerings, I would say that in 
terms of writing, it is similar in quality (though not in style)
to the offerings of Dave Leary (this is a compliment to both authors).

As far as playability, a potential player should be aware that Avalon
is of the "play many versions many times" variety of games.  As a
betatester, I don't mind in the slightest, of course, but I know
from discussions in this newsgroup that some players are bothered
by that sort of thing.

I will be happy to write a more complete review as soon as the entire
game is tested.  Which leads me to a different thread...

I accept Dave Baggett's criticism that the recent "good game/bad game"
posts here have not been too helpful to potential players/authors.
I myself was guilty of a couple of these regarding my enthusiasm for
Curses.  Therefore, I have decided to take up the challenge he
offered and write more complete reviews.  I will begin with Curses,
and I will post it sometime in the latter half of next week.
(Query for opinion: here or r.g.i-f or (shudder) crosspost?)

Final thread: regarding membership in TABU.  The requirements are:
(1) you have betatested a game, or you informed a (hopefully grateful)
author of bugs in an already released game, and (2) you send me, your
beloved president-for-life, a zorkmid (thanks to Adam Thornton for
this idea).  I will also accept a valmid, and if you are completely 
impecunious, I will accept an acmid (at least I can eat one of those).  
The benefits of membership?  You can mention your membership in your .sig.  
If I find any other benefits, I will let you know.


-- 
Michael Kinyon			 | mkinyon@peabody.iusb.indiana.edu
Dept of Mathematics & Comp. Sci. | "There is no quote in my .sig" -- M. Kinyon
Indiana University South Bend    | Text-Adventure Betatesters Union (TABU)
South Bend, IN 46634 USA         | *** Your score just went down ***
