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From: erkyrath@netcom.com (Andrew Plotkin)
Subject: Re: Look vs examine vs search
Message-ID: <erkyrathDzHDFo.5Ju@netcom.com>
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Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 16:50:12 GMT
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Adrian (adrian@skyweb.net) wrote:
> It would have to depend on the object. Take a cupboard. I expect that
> when I search a CLOSED cupboard that I would only find those secret
> panels, etc. that might be on the OUTSIDE. If I opened the cupboard I
> would want to be told of what was on the inside or in plain view, i.e.
> "You see a row of canned goods." Now say there is something behind those
> cans, or a secret panel in the back of the cupboard where it is attached
> to the wall. I would have to search it to find those things.

> So how does this all equal out? In my mind it seems pretty logical and
> ultimately confusing, for example:

> When looking over an object that cannot contain things: LOOK  DOES NOT
> =  EXAMINE, and SEARCH should be pretty much irellevant.

> When looking over an object that can obviously contain things: (LOOK =
> EXAMINE) but DOES NOT = SEARCH

> I would also add that when you OPEN a container of some kind it should
> naturally be assumed you are looking inside.

This actually parallels my feelings. (It's not too hard to code, even.)

The point is (well, my point is): I would never put information in a game 
that can only be discovered by "search". (Unless, as I said, there was a 
heavy-duty "search" ability which took a lot of game time -- and that 
fact would be announced in the game intro.)

If "search" were not an Inform synonym for "look in" and "look through", 
it would not be in my games at all. As it is, it gets used *only* because 
"look in" or "look through" get used. I expect the player to think of 
"look in" or "look through", but I don't expect the player to think of 
"search" per se.

Note that it's not only containers that you "look in/through". There's 
also the archetypical "debris on the floor." Although "examine" might as 
well work for finding hidden things in debris.

--Z

-- 

"And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these were the
borogoves..."
