Playing slowly, can be such a walk in the park, so depending on the game, I can go as fast as it suggests, but if it too frequently that is needed, then I end up a little frustrated, because I’m a guy who likes to see them details, specially of high-end mods such as Minerva: MetaStasis, and generally those comingg around the 25MB or higher .

I just rush fast in such maps like arena maps, that doesn’t have any story, and therefore no details either (CS for instance, IMHO, for me is already beaten, so I rush, rush… when I can of course). For a mod, game or map, in the shortest it may be, I like to play all that do have a plot, because that makes the gameplay flow sloooowly and me getting “drown” in the game, paying attention, doing stuff in the game like i would IRL.

@Senator, thank you. You raise an interesting point about concentrating. I’ve played sport to a professional level but never really approach gaming in the same way. I wonder if I should try a mindset switch. I’ll ponder this a bit more. I did write an article entitled Cybergame Players Need Coaches, but that was nearly two and half years ago!

@Bobdog, CubeDude89 wasn’t telling me to slow down but to make the effort and finish the game. I think you are probably right about the type of person you are reflecting the type of player you are too. The question is whether is true for most people or do some switch personas?

@CrowbarSka, I love that quote; “If I’m playing a game I want to be PLAYING it, not watching it.” Maybe that’s why I keep moving!

@Satchmo, Glad you consider these sorts of things but I am sure plenty don’t!

@K-Mav, I agree about the too long cut-scenes. I agree that each of us has a pace but I am sure I would enjoy it more if I slowed down though.

@Satchmo, mmmm, not sure I can remember finding the Magnum.

Well, it seems that perhaps I am an isolated case when it comes to rushing.

I think I’ll try an experiment, the next proper map I post I’ll request readers post their playtime and see how much it differs.

It’s a very short campaign, lasting only 10-15 minutes. It was converted from a HL2DM map called [url=http://twhl.co.za/vault.php?map=4553]dm_detritus_v2[/url].

Of course, I made both maps. I am posting it here because I thought it’s a good illustration that a map can be played very fast or slow. You can beat this map in less than 10 minutes, or it can take more than half an hour to explore all the secrets.

See if you can find the pistol, the Magnum, and the rocket launcher. And yes, there is a way to get the pistol. You just have to figure out how.

I believe that it is a fitting tribute to a developer/designer when we do such things – we strive to get 100% from their work, and take our time to appreciate their efforts. I have found that, even playing at my slow steady pace, that I often find things I missed when playing a game for the second time.

A designer can control the pace of a game quite comfortably using well designed puzzles, and placement of enemies, but I really get frustrated when games are interrupted by too many, or too long cut-scenes. A good game, (or a good map, or mod) will develop the story as you play it.

In summary, each of us have our own pace. I don’t think that it makes a difference how we play a game, what’s important is that we enjoy the experience. Sometimes, it is quite fun to play a game normally, and then play it at speed!

I imagine where the player might go, and I set up triggers (sometimes delayed by a few seconds) based on the route. I slow down the player or detour him/her by triggering a formidable enemy in the path, or I encourage the player to rush by setting up opponents from the side of behind.

I usually design the layout so there’s more than one way to finish off a map. This really increases the re-play value of a map.

As for mapping techniques to adjust the player’s play style, I think a good way to do it is to use NPCs as bobdog said. How many of you were creeping slowly forward in Episode 2 when the Antlion Guardian was chasing you through the caverns? Not many. You can pressure the player forward by adding unbeatable enemies in pursuit. The same effect is achieved near the start of HL2 in the apartment building. Similarly, you can slow them down by hinting that there is something dangerous ahead with sounds and visual clues like blood stains and bodies, and hopefully the player will proceed with more caution.

The only time I start speeding up is when I’m playing a long-term Role-Playing Game such as Gothic or Two Worlds — after already investing 40+ hours in a game, I feel I’m ready to go on and finish the final act of the game.

I agree with CubeDude — I think you need to slow down more and see what the developers have created. If they want me to speed it up, they’ll have something coming behind me that I can’t possibly stop, and need to get moving to get out of the way.

Possibly, the type of player you are depends on the type of person you are in Real Life; i.e. an outgoing person may want to be more upfront in his gameplay, whereas a more introverted person (which I would consider myself) is a bit more laid back. That would be an interesting theory to test, at any rate.

The fast-paced play style extends to many of us. We have been brought up in an age of instant gratification and multi-tasking.

Aging has taught me more about deferring gratification, so I may “smell the roses” along the way. Don’t always follow the maxim, but I try. Lots of nice touches by you mappers out there, some more difficult to see than others.

As for multi-tasking….its a pet peeve. Computers are designed to multi-task and do it quite well, whereas humans do far better concentrating on one thing, and that alone. Playing music on a bowed string instrument has taught me that – the action of which requires undivided attention but undeniable rewards when the job is done well. Likewise, I play the best FPS games when nothing else is going on….and tend to play slower….watching and listening for the details.

When playing games and mods I often stay where I am for a moment and watch the surroundings, trying to imagening actually beeing there.

Many (or is it most?) people play to beat the game, to win. I think this specially is applied to First Person Shoter players. Most FPS games is about running and gunning. The run and gun approach does not work to well with most adventure and role playing games.

Maby it comes down to why one is playing games. Is it because the challenge to beat the game, or is it to experience a story and a adventure. For most people I guess it is a combination of the boath. For me it is mostly the later one.