Control Console Puzzle Rework

[Renegade343]

Hello all, 

 

This thread will detail some reworks to the control console puzzles so that they can be more varied and still require a bit of puzzle-solving skills to do so. The content is below: 

 

DE(L) has shown (or at least people have displayed) a new type of Grineer cipher for (possibly) all Grineer maps. However, there has already been some talks about the puzzle possibly being way to difficult due to latency issues, and that it is not so much a puzzle, but more of a reflex mini-game, since the player has to time it right to unlock each part. 

 

Even so, the idea behind giving each faction its own unique hacking mini-game is a rather nice one. Thus, to expand and refine on this concept, there are three new hacking mini-games: One for the Grineer (refined), one for the Corpus (barring Jupiter and Eris [they will use the current hacking mini-game]), and one for the Orokin (all of them will still have a timer attached to it) (values can be subject to change based on feedback). 

 

Grineer: 

The Grineer cipher will now be changed to this (Time given: Around 12.5s - 16s): 

If the player fails this cipher, then a squad (around 4-5) of high-level Grineer will come [level of the mission +4] towards the player's location (Corpus if Corpus-controlled), as well as one faction-based Warden.

 

Corpus: 

The Corpus cipher will now be changed to this (Time given: Around 13.5s - 15.5s):

If the player fails this cipher, then all MOA cabinets in the room where the player fails the cipher [as well as one adjacent room] will open up and spawn a high-level MOA (of any type) from it [level of the mission +7].

 

Orokin: 

The Orokin cipher will now be changed to this (Time given: Around 11s - 13.5s): 

If the player fails this cipher (or crosses the data streams), then the player will be given a minor electrical shock (75 Electrical damage with 100% Electrical status effect), as well as slightly increased aggro on said player for 45 seconds.

 

If Cipher used: One stream will be connected, and that connected stream will not make the other streams cross.

 

Please note that these are just rough drafts, and are more on the mechanics side. 

 

With these changes, I hope to make the hacking mini-game be slightly more fleshed out and more thematic, increasing immersion, while still providing the small challenge from mini-puzzles. 

 

Please take the time to read this thread, and provide constructive criticism and feedback.

 

Renegade343

Edited October 2, 2014 by Renegade343

[Ravel7]

i like it adds variety and individual faction  uniqueness to hacking   

[Renegade343]

i like it adds variety and individual faction  uniqueness to hacking   

But would you think the Orokin Cipher would be too simple? Or is it just right? (I personally think it may be too simple, but it could be just me). 

[StinkyPygmy]

I like the idea of having some sort of penalty for failing a cipher.

Could keep things interesting and make the whole minigame thing feel less like a chore

Edited September 26, 2014 by StinkyPygmy

[Renegade343]

Updated to include what happens if a Cipher is used on an Orokin hacking puzzle. 

[Renegade343]

Bumping to collect feedback and criticism. 

[Selpar]

Bumping to collect feedback and criticism. 

1. Hacking only gets a single button and directional input on a controller so your Grineer idea would need tweaked in order to work.

 

2. Most players don't have the Corpus alphabet memorized so solving the puzzle would be near impossible for them.

 

3. The Orokin puzzle is impossible to make difficult the answer is always to pair off points starting from any corner of the grid.

[Renegade343]

1. Hacking only gets a single button and directional input on a controller so your Grineer idea would need tweaked in order to work.

Turn one way to go clockwise, turn the other way to go anticlockwise. We can use the analog sticks for that. 

 

2. Most players don't have the Corpus alphabet memorized so solving the puzzle would be near impossible for them.

Thing is, there is one thing interesting about humans: 

 

They can seem to spot patterns and visual links in puzzles even without seeing the completed thing (meaning our minds can already perceive the final result before working on to make the final result). 

 

3. The Orokin puzzle is impossible to make difficult the answer is always to pair off points starting from any corner of the grid.

Fair point, and I already have a way to make it be more difficult: 

 

Ports that function like diodes. 

[Selpar]

Turn one way to go clockwise, turn the other way to go anticlockwise. We can use the analog sticks for that. 

 

Thing is, there is one thing interesting about humans: 

 

They can seem to spot patterns and visual links in puzzles even without seeing the completed thing (meaning our minds can already perceive the final result before working on to make the final result). 

 

Fair point, and I already have a way to make it be more difficult: 

 

Ports that function like diodes. 

1. You do realize that if the rings spin at different speeds the Grineer puzzle will eventually solve itself, and that is kinda disappointing.

 

2. Humans are amazing at pattern recognition, we are in fact so good at it that we can see patterns where they do not exist. If I can move arrange the pieces of the Corpus puzzle any way I want, I'm probably going to make a pleasing shape that is not the correct answer, and be annoyed that the puzzle makes no sense without context.

 

3. Now I have to look up how diodes work...

[Renegade343]

1. You do realize that if the rings spin at different speeds the Grineer puzzle will eventually solve itself, and that is kinda disappointing.

At least you do have to see how the rings spin (and how fast). 

 

2. Humans are amazing at pattern recognition, we are in fact so good at it that we can see patterns where they do not exist. If I can move arrange the pieces of the Corpus puzzle any way I want, I'm probably going to make a pleasing shape that is not the correct answer, and be annoyed that the puzzle makes no sense without context.

Thing is, the Corpus alphabet borrows quite heavily from elements of the Roman numerals (and since almost everyone would have some knowledge of Roman numerals, our minds would try to make them as such [or something resembling that]). 

 

3. Now I have to look up how diodes work...

Diodes basically allow current to go only one way, and not the opposite way. 

 

In the context of Orokin ciphers, we can make them have ports that only allow either being the start of the data stream, or the end of the data stream. 

[Ska-boo]

M8s, anything instead of the current Grineer one. I hated that mini-game since Kingdom of Amalur.

[Selpar]

At least you do have to see how the rings spin (and how fast). 

 

Thing is, the Corpus alphabet borrows quite heavily from elements of the Roman numerals (and since almost everyone would have some knowledge of Roman numerals, our minds would try to make them as such [or something resembling that]). 

 

Diodes basically allow current to go only one way, and not the opposite way. 

 

In the context of Orokin ciphers, we can make them have ports that only allow either being the start of the data stream, or the end of the data stream. 

1. Nope, just hold right and the rings will line up on their own. If you pass it just hold left to reverse the rings rotation. Solving these puzzles could take a lot of time.

 

2. Roman numerals borrow quite heavily from straight lines which can be quite hard to understand when they are all scrambled. This puzzle would probably work because players would just memorize the answers, but it would most likely be annoying to new players.

 

3. I guarantee you can not make a Orokin puzzle in that style that is both solvable and can't be solved by pairing up the ports starting from the corner. Unless I'm way to tired and missing some part of the rules such a task is completely impossible.

[Renegade343]

1. Nope, just hold right and the rings will line up on their own. If you pass it just hold left to reverse the rings rotation. Solving these puzzles could take a lot of time.

Actually, that is not really the efficient way, depending on the speeds of the rings. Think of them as overlaying different sine and cosine waves, then finding the point that they all meet. Going in one way without thinking could be longer than thinking for a bit, then deciding which way to go. 

 

2. Roman numerals borrow quite heavily from straight lines which can be quite hard to understand when they are all scrambled. This puzzle would probably work because players would just memorize the answers, but it would most likely be annoying to new players.

Not really. 

 

For one, the short horizontal lines on the top and bottom of the columns hint that they are supposed to be placed at the top and bottom. 

 

3. I guarantee you can not make a Orokin puzzle in that style that is both solvable and can't be solved by pairing up the ports starting from the corner. Unless I'm way to tired and missing some part of the rules such a task is completely impossible.

Not pairing up specific ports. Like this: 

 

You have three ports that only start the data stream (called S), and three ports that only end the data stream (called E). 

Connect pairs of S and E (SE) together in such a way that no data stream overlaps. 

[Selpar]

Actually, that is not really the efficient way, depending on the speeds of the rings. Think of them as overlaying different sine and cosine waves, then finding the point that they all meet. Going in one way without thinking could be longer than thinking for a bit, then deciding which way to go. 

 

Not really. 

 

For one, the short horizontal lines on the top and bottom of the columns hint that they are supposed to be placed at the top and bottom. 

 

Not pairing up specific ports. Like this: 

 

You have three ports that only start the data stream (called S), and three ports that only end the data stream (called E). 

Connect pairs of S and E (SE) together in such a way that no data stream overlaps. 

1. If the only input the player has is choosing the direction of rotation they need only pick left or right and then wait, if makes for a pretty boring mini-game at that point.

 

2. I think I'm going to have to look up the Corpus alphabet and check for letters that would mess people up.

 

3. Find a corner that has an S and an E on different sides. Starting from that corner pair S ports to E ports, if you can not the puzzle is impossible to solve.

[Renegade343]

3. Find a corner that has an S and an E on different sides. Starting from that corner pair S ports to E ports, if you can not the puzzle is impossible to solve.

Do you mean: 

 

Make S and E so that all of them are on different sides?

 

May you please clarify?

[Selpar]

Do you mean: 

 

Make S and E so that all of them are on different sides?

 

May you please clarify?

Your rules state that you must pair with a port from a different side, and each port is one of 2 types. Type S must be matched to to E and can not be matched with type S. Lines between two matched ports can not cross with each other.

 

This means perpendicular lines can not exist in the correct solution of the puzzle, and so the fastest way to find the correct pairs is to find a single pair and then pair up the ports that are adjacent to the pair you already have next.

 

Basically diagonal lines never cross the straight lines and as such if you pair the corners to remove the diagonals you are left with only lines that go to the opposite side. Lines that just go across should all pair up if you can't do that without crossing a line the puzzle can't be solved.

[Renegade343]

Your rules state that you must pair with a port from a different side, and each port is one of 2 types. Type S must be matched to to E and can not be matched with type S. Lines between two matched ports can not cross with each other.

I did not state pairing with a port from a different side in the rules. I think you read that wrong, or you misinterpreted something while reading. 

[Selpar]

I did not state pairing with a port from a different side in the rules. I think you read that wrong, or you misinterpreted something while reading. 

I guess I misinterperted where you said "on another end" to mean a port on a different side. That said it changes nothing just pair up adjacent ports first, then corners, and finally the ones that go across. Solve all the possible puzzles super fast.

[Renegade343]

I guess I misinterperted where you said "on another end" to mean a port on a different side. That said it changes nothing just pair up adjacent ports first, then corners, and finally the ones that go across. Solve all the possible puzzles super fast.

But do keep in mind that the puzzles are designed to be, to fit into Warframe: 

 

1. Simple enough to solve.

2. Still need a bit of thinking/observation to complete. 

 

In a game like Warframe, a balance of both of them would be a nice element with regards to hacking. So, while it may look simple and easily solvable, do bear in mind that in Warframe, there is that looming element of: 

 

1. Enemies swarming over your position. 

2. Enemies swarming over your allies' position. 

 

That is why the Corpus line puzzle is an excellent minigame for hacking, and the new Grineer one is very less so. 

[Selpar]

But do keep in mind that the puzzles are designed to be, to fit into Warframe: 

 

1. Simple enough to solve.

2. Still need a bit of thinking/observation to complete. 

 

In a game like Warframe, a balance of both of them would be a nice element with regards to hacking. So, while it may look simple and easily solvable, do bear in mind that in Warframe, there is that looming element of: 

 

1. Enemies swarming over your position. 

2. Enemies swarming over your allies' position. 

 

That is why the Corpus line puzzle is an excellent minigame for hacking, and the new Grineer one is very less so. 

Yeah, I'd rather play a Simon like memory game to unlock the Grineer consoles that would be much better than what they have now, and it would be easy to scale the difficulty for higher level missions.