> > I've got news for you: people are sissies when it comes to games these days. And that's because games these days tend to be far too simple. [...] People aren't used to having to actually think or getting stuck in games.
>
> Funny you should mention this now. I literally just finished answering email from someone who had asked me for hints to FQ -- not just hints, but specific answers to a whole list of questions like "How do I help the gnome?" (Previously I had given him my usual calibre of hint, which is usually helpful without giving answers outright.) He confided in me, saying he cheats regularly at other games, so why not this one, too?

I don't get these people. If I wanted passive entertainment that would require nothing other than me sitting there, I'd go rent a movie. I'm not gonna say that I've never gotten help or cheated at a game, but it always comes AFTER I'm completely stuck on a puzzle.

You know what's really annoying? Everytime I go and buy a new game, the folks at Software Etc. or Electronic's Boutique always try to get me to buy the stupid strategy guide. When I turned down the offer last time, the manager at my local SE commented that I had a lot of patience to actually play through the game without cheating. If I hadn't been in a hurry to get back and play the thing, I would've stuck around and slapped him silly...