ABSTRACT
The use of puzzles in video games has been one of the more fascinating parts of game design over the years. The key limitation of most puzzles in video games was that they were designed around a “lock and key” philosophy. Popularized by early adventure games like Maniac Mansion and King's Quest, lock-and-key puzzles are built around a fixed problem and solution. Due to the linear nature of these puzzles, many adventure/puzzle designers created esoteric solutions that would require a lot of trial and error on the player's part. The complexity of a Zachtronic puzzle was in creating a solution that satisfied the demand of the puzzle. The player was always given a set of tools and options that could be combined in intentional ways. The game featured an editor that used the Steam Workshop to upload and download custom puzzles to the game, greatly extending its lifespan.
