Exploration Games - Collectables!

'No More In-Game Collectables!' - GamesBeat

'So no more blind hunts. No more fill-in-the-blank trash. If a developer wants me to go looking for his stuff, he better plan to make those locations practical and the act of fetching them worth my while. Because a geek's collection means something. It's special. It's specific. And as it stands, most in-game collectibles miss on all three counts.'


Goal: Creating a worthwile collectable.

Bioshock: Audio Diaries

Audio diary is clearly on the bed.

This audio diary is a little more blended into the area around it.

These audio diaries are worthwhile collectables as they fill in the gaps which the player is missing in the backstory of characters and events which happened in Rapture before the player arrived.

They're placed in obvious, easy to reach places whilst still almost blending into the surroundings.

Could have some collectables hidden in unlockable areas.

 

 



Skyrim: Books

Just some of the many many many books.

One of the serious story books in Skyrim.

The books in skyrim offer an immersive option to filling in more information about areas, items, people and the lore of the land. They also offer sillyness and comic relief.
Books are obviously scattered through all houses and dungeons, some are more rarer than others. Some even offer quests.

'The Lusty Argonian Maid' is a comical addition which has run as a joke through The Elder Scrolls series.

 

Alan Wake: Manuscript pages

The pages are clean and easy to read.

The Pages slightly glow to alert the player to its whereabouts.

Manuscript pages are just one of many collectables in Alan Wake. These, however, serve a purpose which may not be completely obvious. They actually give hits as to what happens next to Alan.

Having clues to what happens next....Good thing or bad?

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A collectable is worth while when:
They're obviously benefitial. Otherwise, why collect them?

Good for scene setting: Valuble resource of background information for the player.