Game Analysis
Keyna Sloan
Game: The Nightshift Code
Publisher: PlayFirst for the PC
Goal: To solve a mystery within a hidden object game.
Setting / Premise:
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A treasure is sent to a museum by the father of one of the two main characters,
and criminals are attempting to intercept it. The father is missing, as is the map to
the treasure. The main characters are searching for clues within hidden object
screens; some of these clues are later used in a word substitution cipher. Once
each cipher is solved, play progresses to the next chapter (of six total chapters).
User Actions and Control Mapping:
STORY MODE:
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The user clicks on images in the various screens to identify items on a list.
Three or four sets of hidden item search puzzles are completed for each chapter;
segues between chapters are substitution ciphers.
Random clicks (on items not on each screen’s list) deduct points; successful
identifications of items awards points.
Hints are available, although there are a limited number of hints on each screen.
Use of a hint also deducts points.
ALTERNATIVE GAME PLAY:
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The game can also be played in arcade mode: identify a random list of items
within a time limit.
Challenges:
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All items must be found prior to moving on to the next screen.
Using up all the hints prematurely means that no additional help may be available
when it is most needed.
Scoring / Rewards:
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Each click of an item on the list of required items to find awards points.
Points are deducted for use of a hint. Points are deducted for clicking on
something not on the list. (Random clicking is thus deterred.)
Successful completion of each screen also adds to the score. The higher the
score the better.
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Game Analysis
Keyna Sloan
Strategies:
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Take time to find as many of the items as possible before using a hint. Use hints
only when you are absolutely stumped. Note that hints are limited; use the last
hint or two on the last item or two.
Allure:
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The game is fun because it’s a challenge to solve each puzzle as well as to solve
the final mystery.
Sometimes just searching for items is somewhat “mindless”, distracting fun.
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Game Analysis
Keyna Sloan
Presentation Short Form
Game: The Nightshift Code
Platform: PC
Goal: To solve a murder mystery.
How to Play/Screenshots
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
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
The user clicks on images in the various screens to identify items on a list.
Three or four sets of hidden item search puzzles are completed for each chapter;
segues between chapters are substitution ciphers.
Random clicks (on items not on each screen’s list) deduct points; successful
identifications of items awards points.
Hints are available, although there are a limited number of hints on each screen.
Use of a hint also deducts points.
A hidden object puzzle.
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Game Analysis
Keyna Sloan
Another hidden object puzzle.
Example of a substitution cipher.
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