Keywords

Keywords are used to identify an object or mobile. These include extra descriptions and exits.

1. When entering the keywords, be sure to always put the main keyword first. Do not capitalize the keywords unless the object or mobile has a proper name, and then that keyword should be the first in the list.

2. When keywording objects and mobiles use as many keywords as possible, making sure that at least ONE of the keywords is found in the long, short, and extra descriptions.

3. When Keywording exits and extra descriptions, try to add at least 2 keywords.

It is very frustrating to a player to come into a room and have this happen:

The player enters a room and sees, "A sharp piece of metal is stuck in the ground here."

Player types, "get metal" resulting in, "I see no metal here." Player types, "get sharp" resulting in, "I see no sharp here." Player types, "get piece" resulting in, "I see no piece here."

The player typing "get all" is about the only way to get it.

Then they find out it is "a long black sword".

Keywords should include words that describe the object by color, size, and/or by its looks.

You would not want to name a key just "key". If the key is a "key silver small", this makes the key easier to distinguish from other keys being carried in a player's inventory. Imagine a player trying to find the right key for a door if they are carrying four or five "a key". Imagine a player trying to "look" at a key that does not have "key" set as the word for its extra description.

There may be 100 "keys" in the game, and some of them may also be "silver", but it's a good chance that only a couple will be "small" as well. It's not enough to simply name an object "key" or "potion" or "scroll", at least one keyword should be unique or rare.