Another idea which I like in Morrowind for example, is, if you try to kill a NPC, which is important for completing the main story, a warning message will appear. So the player isn't told by the game that it's not possible to kill him. It only tells him that you can kill him, but its from there on not anymore possible to complete the main quests.
Question: "Hey! I can't finish the game! It sucks!"
Answer: "Wait a minute... why can't you finish it?"
Q: "Well... when I try to enter the final location, it says that I am not allowed to enter unless I am accompanied by Mr. X!"
A: "So, then go and find Mr. X!"
Q: "OK... but where????"
A: "In Town Y he is waiting under the bridge... he will approach you automatically."
Q: "Oh... Town Y... I found this great warhammer there and tested it on the people there."
A: "Uhm... all people?"
Q: "Yeah... man, it was awesome! One hit is enough with this great weapon! Great game!"
A: "OK, but have you also met Mr. X there?"
Q: "Where?"
A: "In Town Y... on your killing spree..."
Q: "How do I know the name of the guys? I just got there, found the warhammer and started hammering. Awesome!"
A: "Well, the names of the persons are displayed above their heads... plus, they are also shown in the dialogue boxes."
Q: "What boxes?"
A: "Dialogue... talking... to the people."
Q: "Aahh... I see..."
A: "So?"
Q: "So what?"
A: "Have you met Mr. X in Town Y?"
Q: "Nope."
A: "You haven't been under the huge bridge in the centre of the town?"
Q: "Yes, I have been there."
A: "And you haven't seen a guy there, standing at the wall and looking at you?"
Q: "Oh, yeah, there was this guy... he came to me."
A: "Great. That was Mr. X... he talks to you and says..."
Q: "He talks to me??? Man, I haven't heard anything when I was there!"
A: "Well, there should be a dialo..... I mean, a box with talking stuff when he comes to you."
Q: "Hey, I have no clue about this talking stuff. He came to me... I immediately used the awesome warhammer and tried to hit him hard in the face!"
A: "Aha... and then?"
Q: "Well... apparently there was an error... some box appeared but when I clicked on 'Continue', the error was over and I hit him! God, you should have seen his body!!!"
A: "You haven't read that error message before clickin on 'Continue'?"
Q: "Oh come on... do you read when you are in the middle of a fight?"
A: "Uhm... I am sorry but that was Mr. X you killed there. The box warned you that you can't complete the game if you kill this guy."
Q: "WHAT?? You must be kidding!"
A: "No, I am serious... you should read those boxes... they contain useful information in most cases."
Q: "HEY! If I wanted to read, I'd play Mahjongg or something! Your game sucks! I want my money back!"
P.S: Yes, I am bored cause I am doing a backup... sorry... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif" alt="" />
