Let's Discuss What to do after a level shortcut?

Ye.They keep finding shortcuts in my levels.I tried to reupload the level fixing the shortcut but they found a new one.

 

Thank you for this post, and for clearly voicing out such a valid concern regarding shortcuts.

I've been looking for a particular level among all the files here (all 1200+ pages, to no avail), and during all that effort, I was able to revisit old levels, play the ones I haven't seen before, and more importantly read the comments and interaction of the community. Back then a level was praised if it allowed multiple ways to get to the win. Which was inevitable. Like you said, each player will approach a level with their own perspective and playstyle, and discover a new route other than the creator's intended path. And that's fine. That's Mekorama for you: B and R doing the seemingly impossible, in whatever way it takes.

A glaring shortcut though can leave a bad taste in the mouth of veteran players, I guess. Once you find a shortcut, it'll be hard to unsee it, and harder, still, to resist using it. New players who aren't aware of tricks won't have a problem with that naturally (Ignorance is bliss). So then it becomes a question of balance and care. Making sure that your levels satisfy both new and experienced players, without dumbing it down for the latter, and without intimidating the former. It's a tough balancing act, especially if you're not aware of the tricks.

In a way, a shortcut can be likened to a plot synopsis of a film (I realize I'm comparing two totally different medium, film and a game, but stick with me and this analogy for a sec). The synopsis is the easy, speedy summarized version of the film. It's there for a purpose, but it won't replace the experience of watching the film in its entirety. By that same vein, it also makes sense to judge a film in its entirety, and not through its synopsis.

That said, it's still going to be hard to rate a level with a shortcut with all fairness. I guess the proper thing to do is to try playing the intended way, then judge it according to that. I'd be hard-pressed myself to give a perfect score to a level with a shortcut, but I try to imagine what the intentions of the creator are and the enjoyment the majority of players will have playing that level, not just a select group of people. (Obviously if a hard-core level is meant to cater to veterans, it pays to be extra careful with building the path.)

Back in the early days, when few people were aware of tricks, most levels had a shortcut or two, but that shouldn't steal away the enjoyment of playing the level.

 

It's not quite as simple as that. Back then (I was there) there was a strong resistance by some to unorthodox techniques, techniques that were considered heresy, and libelled as "cheats". The praising that you noticed was the reaction of more open minded players to this perceived outrage .. often in recognition of new exploits that are now cherished as standard tricks; often in celebration of the extra value achieved by puzzles with multiple solutions.

What extra value? The further enjoyment by players than a single solution can offer; the opportunity for players to think outside the box; and the learning opportunities for players and designers alike.

Correct, but there's more: shortcuts then and now are precious learning opportunities ..
because both designers and players get to learn about new techniques. And therefore "shortcuts" should be cherished and not scandalized.

Regrettably, even now these opportunities are not always appreciated for what they are, instead often being maligned to the point of designers vandalising their own works, under pressure from players who bully them into making their efforts more "acceptable", or "more worthy" of stars. And in the process, the opportunity to learn is lost. In fact one could even argue that those who might have learned have been cheated out of the opportunity!

In conclusion, i suppose there is a natural tendency on the part of some designers with an unusually strong competitive streak to be embarrassed when a player finds an unintended solution to one of their puzzles. But wouldn't the world be a better place if such designers could humbly appreciate the unexpected extra value to other players and designers .. instead of denying others an opportunity to learn; and instead of projecting their own embarrassment onto other designers with less experience?

In my opinion, the best response by a designer to learning of an unintended solution to his puzzle, would be to add a further card to his original level (in the same thread) with any shortcuts edited out that he might feel unbearably embarrassed about. This generous response would preserve and even extend the learning experience his work offers.

 

True. All good points.

I'm all for shortcuts. They shouldn't be demonized or be a cause for embarrassment at all.

Instead they should be celebrated for all the learning it offers and the richness it adds to this game we love.

 

It feels really bad if anyone finds a shortcut in our levels also if we delete the level after posting then it becomes more hard to fix. I deleted msny levels bcz of shortcut but thanks to @Gepeto 4 3d builder . But if we made a level with sensors so after find a shortcut we have no choice except to make the level again bcz on editing level there's always 90% chance of sonsor/mechanism fails

But if someone finds shortcut in my levels i thanks him its a great chance to learn more

 

I agree. I recently did that to one of my levels. Instead of reposting it after someone pointed out a shortcut, I just posted an updated card in the comments—twice.

I think that alternative solutions that are clever and make sense should be recognized by the author. On one hand, shortcuts that are merely based on unintended tricks like BB or ToA shouldn't be encouraged or mentioned when found.

 

@laurence.gr - Yes, i noticed that .. and i applaud the cheerful resistance with which you met pressure to conform to imaginary rules and to deface your work and purge it of valuable learning potential and more fun than a single win can achieve. Thank you for seeing the big picture, and for striking a victory or two to preserve opportunities for everyone else to enjoy and learn. By refusing to be bullied, you achieved a great deal and lost nothing. Well done!