With the launch of the PS5, we introduced a brand new feature, Game Help, so gamers can quickly and easily get help while playing, without accidentally running into spoilers they might find elsewhere. The feature is supported in PS5 games like Astro’s Playroom, Maquette, Oddworld: Soulstorm, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart which just launched today, to name a few.
Many of you might be curious about how this feature came to be, which is why we wanted to share some information about this PlayStation Plus * member-only benefit that is available for supported games.
Also check out this Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Play Help Video Demo.
How Game Help started
During the development of the PS5, our research revealed that the majority of gamers told us that they were looking for help with their games. Almost half are stuck in a game every week, and more than half said they encounter spoilers when they seek help with a game or spend too much time looking for the advice they seek.
These comments really touched us, so we got down to work on creating a feature for gamers that provides an easy way for them to get clues about the specific parts of the game they’re playing, without spoiling or spending a lot of time in. look for tips. on the Internet. We worked closely with the game developers to create this feature, and also incorporated key feedback from our user testing research. It’s great to see this feature implemented in supported games, to quickly provide guidance to gamers right from the PS5 console, so they can spend more time playing.
Use in-game help to help Clank solve a tricky puzzle
Why gamers use Game Help
We see a lot of players looking for clues about the puzzles. We tend to see more engagement with Game Help for games that include lots of puzzles, like Astro’s Playroom and Maquette.
We also see players asking for help when they get lost in a game, so the videos that guide players where to go are very popular. In addition, if they take a break for a few days between their gaming sessions, they can consult the in-game help when they resume their gaming session to reorient themselves with the game.
Games can provide several types of clues, such as photo, text, video, or a combination of video and text. Of these, we found that gamers used video the most with text advice.
On the hunt for collectibles? Consult in-game help to resolve issues
How indices are determined for an activity
Because all players have different preferences, the goal is for players to be in control of the help they receive. To achieve this, we encourage game creators to provide advice that allows “progressive disclosure”. An example of this is where the first clue would be just a nudge, like an image and a vague piece of text. The second clue gives a little more information, like a short clip showing the first steps to take, but no further. Finally, the third clue shows the procedure or the complete answer, such as a video with all the steps to achieve the goal.
Tips for players using in-game help
Two popular features in Game Help are pin-beside mode and quick access to several tips, in addition to activity checking.
Multiple tips can be accessed by pressing R1 / L1 to go to the next index. Sometimes the first clue you see might just be a slight nudge, so checking if there are multiple clues are worth taking to make sure you don’t miss one.
Pin in-game help to the side so you can play and follow the instructions simultaneously.
Pin-to-side allows you to see the hint and watch the in-game help video as you play, while also giving you quick access to the in-game help card with the rest of the hints for the objective you are playing on. work. When you’re in pin-to-side mode, all of your controls are in the game. Double-tapping the PS button will take you to the in-game help card for easy closing or skip to another hint.
The in-game assist feature is only in its infancy and we expect it to evolve over time. Check out some examples of how developers are using Game Help today.
Astro’s playroom
“Astro’s game room is full of collectibles hidden in every nook and cranny. So we use the Help feature of the game to give you clues about nearby locations. Once you enter an area, the game detects what collectibles you are missing and offers you a series of video clips relating to what collectibles you are missing. In the video, Astro runs in the general direction of secrecy but it’s up to the player to do the last bit. There are over 100 help clips in Astro’s Playroom. They mainly cover PlayStation artifacts and puzzle pieces.
– Gento Morita, Lead Game Designer, ASOBI Team
Model
“Game Help has transparently helped some of our players discover the whole story of Maquette when faced with certain puzzles in the game. It also made players who are interested in the story rather That puzzle pieces can progress without being trapped by more difficult puzzles, meaning more types of players can experience the game in different ways. In the later chapters of Maquette, the increasing difficulty caused by moving the entire recursive world can be really confusing. But, with a few clues, many of our players were able to figure out the new mechanics and continue on their own. “
– Hanford Lemoore, Creative Director, Graceful Decay
Oddworld: Storm of Souls
“We are introducing a number of systems to this game that might be new to Oddworld fans: inventory, crafting, advanced motion controls, etc. tips on how to use these systems and get the most out of Abe’s items. That said, some of the trickier and later parts of the game have also seen in-game help used by players, even when they have mastered all the new techniques. The in-game help videos show players the “easiest” way to get through most encounters, but we’ve heard from a lot of players who want to do it their own way, which is great and exactly what we were hoping for.
– Bennie Terry, executive producer, Oddworld Inhabitants
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
“As we embraced greater accessibility, we began to look at a more permissive and less punitive game design. Game Help aligns with this philosophy; by helping gamers who want it, we’re just making the game more enjoyable for a wider audience. Puzzles work great when there is just enough information available for players to connect the dots on their own. However, we will never reach 100% connected points between all players without taking satisfaction from the puzzle. If you just don’t get it through no fault of your own, Game Help saves you the trouble of skipping or resorting to finding and reading the solution.. “
– Mike Daly, Game Director, Insomniac Games
* PlayStation Plus subscription sold separately. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription with recurring charges until canceled. Age restrictions apply. Full conditions: play.st/PSPlusTerms
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