Author Topic: Name of the "Mechanic" skill (Read 14281 times)

namida · « **on:** May 09, 2015, 05:45:21 AM »

I was recently wondering if this skill's name should be changed.

The two reasons for this are:
1. It sometimes feels weird when talking about it - am I referring to "Mechanics" as in the skill, or to the gameplay mechanics?
2. It's the only skill that doesn't end in -er.

So, I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks on this, and if there's any other suggestions for it.

EDIT:

For those who haven't encountered this skill yet (since it's a NeoLemmix-exclusive skill that so far has only appeared in Lemmings Plus Omega, Doomsday Lemmings and a few small custom packs mostly by DynaLem); a Mechanic is a permanent skill like climber/floater/etc, the lemming that has it will, upon encountering a trap (provided he's not mid-fall or anything like that), disable the trap instead of being killed by it. It takes them about 2 seconds to disable the trap (though from the instant they start, all other lemmings are safe from the trap).

exit · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2015, 06:05:53 PM »

I suggest replacing the name with "Disabler". I think it sums up the skill.

ccexplore · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2015, 11:34:53 AM »

If you describe what the skill does, I think more people might respond to the poll.

namida · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2015, 11:42:15 AM »

Good idea. Not only is it a NeoLemmix-exclusive skill, but it's also so far the most rarely used one (except for maybe Cloner). I added a description to the first post.

ccexplore · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2015, 12:01:28 PM »

Ah, so that's why exit suggested "disabler". I'd hope we can do better than that, but I'll have to think about it. Saboteur maybe? I sorta have a mental image of the lemming smashing traps with great gusto (and a giant mallet), which should lead to a number of possibilities ending in -er.

namida · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2015, 12:08:12 PM »

The current animation is basically just a digger without destruction particles, but I'd be willing to change that once I have a better idea (and patience to do it; animation isn't exactly my strong point).

Simon · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2015, 12:35:08 AM »

Disabler, Trap-disabler (too long, must be one word), Saboteur, Sapper, Engineer (too similar to mechanic), Detrapper (Ichotolot's favorite).

The more obvious it is for new players, the better.

-- Simon

mobius · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2015, 01:45:51 AM »

personally I don't mind mechanic, but I like engineer too.

disabler isn't too bad or Detrapper. I don't like "Saboteur" at all. $:-\$ and it doesn't seem appropriate imo.

ccexplore · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2015, 08:13:57 AM »

Engineer seems like a good choice. It is very similar to "mechanic" but without the specific disadvantages namida listed. Detrapper is also fairly acceptable to my ears, and has the property of being more direct.

namida · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2015, 08:36:02 AM »

"Detrapper" sounds a bit weird, while "Engineer" - though the spelling may end in "er", it doesn't fit the pattern with other skills while said out loud. "Disabler" is my favorite of the options so far, though I also wonder if that might imply the skill does more than it does do. "Breaker" or "Worker" are two other ones I thought of, but they have more or less the same problems as Disabler (the latter is also extremely close to "Walker").

Proxima · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2015, 09:47:44 AM »

I'm fine with the "Mechanic" name, but "Engineer" is good too. Both words are more natural and comfortable than the alternatives suggested.

Clam · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2015, 10:59:08 AM »

Fixer?

It's debatable whether he's fixing the traps or breaking them, but it also works in another sense:

Quote

a person who makes arrangements for other people, especially of an illicit or devious kind

Simon · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2015, 11:39:35 AM »

~~The main problem~~ Another consideration is that Mechanic isn't self-explaining to new players.

Engineer, Fixer, Worker, etc., all of these have the same problem. Engineer/sapper is slightly better because of their meanings in military. Saboteur is about the same.

Disabler solves the problem, and Detrapper solves it best.

-- Simon

Wafflem · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2015, 12:33:48 AM »

I like Disabler and Breaker. Detrapper doesn't sound too bad either.

I'm also thinking of Dismantler.

namida · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2015, 05:29:30 AM »

Quote from: Simon on May 11, 2015, 11:39:35 AM

~~The main problem~~ Another consideration is that Mechanic isn't self-explaining to new players.

Engineer, Fixer, Worker, etc., all of these have the same problem. Engineer/sapper is slightly better because of their meanings in military.

If we're going to use the logic that the name must explain the skill completely, then I would say "it explains it because of how the term is used in a certain field" doesn't really make it any better, given that many people will not know the specialised meaning of the term (I certianly have no idea what those two words mean in a military context).

It seems the favored option is "Detrapper". So, I guess we'll go with that one? - my objection to it was nothing more than "it sounds a bit weird", so if the general consensus is that it's good, then let's use it. I'll leave this open a bit longer just in case.

Wafflem · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2015, 09:51:39 AM »

There is also a strong preference for Disabler.

Should there be a poll on Disabler vs. Detrapper?

607 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 12, 2015, 10:45:15 AM »

I prefer disabler, but I think disabler and detrapper are both better than mechanic.

Ben H · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2015, 12:20:58 PM »

I prefer disabler too. I don't like the way detrapper rolls off the tongue.

Dismantler is also a good option though.

namida · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2015, 12:34:20 PM »

I've changed the poll to Disabler vs Detrapper, since these seem to be the most popular options.

Proxima · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2015, 01:32:26 PM »

What's wrong with having a multiple-selection poll between all options? Then you'd find out which actually is the most popular. I prefer every other option suggested to Disabler or Detrapper, but if either of those wins in a fair vote, I won't complain.

namida · « **Reply #20 on:** May 12, 2015, 01:35:05 PM »

From a look through the discussions, those two seem to be the most popular. If we put everything in the poll, unless we run a level-contest-style full-blown voteoff, we're most likely going to end up with one or two votes for each answer which doesn't help too much.

Proxima · « **Reply #21 on:** May 12, 2015, 02:28:47 PM »

The poll would not be "select your favourite", but "which of these options do you like", allowing for multiple selections.

Simon · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2015, 03:08:25 PM »

I thought the design goals for the name are: Catchy word, descriptive, obvious for new players (I deem that important, can't tell how important namida judges this), non-clashing in discussions (game mechanics <-> mechanic skill). Does it have to be an existing word? Does it have to sound like a profession? Are those more important than descriptiveness?

Detrapper is most descriptive, but artificial. Disabler is reasonably descriptive, but it's not obvious from the name that it doesn't disable teleporters. With the propensity of Neolemmix to get new features, what's more likely: That the Disabler will disable more stuff than traps in the future, or that the Detrapper will forever only nullify traps?

Considerations like these seem more helpful than a popularity vote. <_<

-- Simon

Nepster · « **Reply #23 on:** May 12, 2015, 08:01:09 PM »

Quote from: Simon on May 12, 2015, 03:08:25 PM

Disabler is reasonably descriptive, ...

Sorry, but NO! I would probably think of Disablers as Deskillers: A lemming that reverts any lemming he touches to a walker. E.g. builders stop placing bricks, bashers/miners stop midstroke and even permanent skills like climbers or floaters get cancelled when meeting a Deskiller/Disabler.

Both Mechanic and Detrapper clearly indicate that this skills modifies objects, which is in my opinion the most important hint one can give concerning this skill. Everything else can be found out by a few specific tries...

Wafflem · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2015, 01:17:18 AM »

I agree with everyone's points on Detrapper. Plus, Detrapper is straight to the point while Disabler is ambiguous and may imply disabling more than just traps.

NaOH · « **Reply #25 on:** May 16, 2015, 04:15:43 AM »

Disarmer?

namida · « **Reply #26 on:** May 16, 2015, 05:08:36 AM »

That's actually a really good suggestion...

namida · « **Reply #27 on:** May 16, 2015, 06:12:41 AM »

Okay so, I've reset the poll and kept Disabler (which appeared to be the more popular of the two options), and put it up against Disarmer. Let's see how this one goes.

ccexplore · « **Reply #28 on:** May 16, 2015, 02:23:35 PM »

So glad NaOH stepped in, I absolutely detest "disabler".

"Disarmer" fixes everything wrong with "disabler" and is even similar-looking (thus make for a good compromise for those who do love "disabler")

namida · « **Reply #29 on:** May 17, 2015, 05:41:23 AM »

It looks like "Disarmer" is the most popular choice here. From the next update, I'll change the name to that.

Poll

What should the name be?

Author Topic: Name of the "Mechanic" skill (Read 14281 times)