What is the difference between IHOGs and HOAGs?This question is probably in the "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?" category. I'm curious because I first saw a game labelled HOAG only in the last week or two.

Some games are more HO related and others are more adventure but they include a few HO scenes.

Since we have different kinds of casual players who like less HO scenes and more inventory based activities we try and break them out to let them know.

If it has no HO scenes we call them Adventure Lites.

Ana

So an HOAG is middle ground between Adventure Lite and IHOG?

That would be a good way of putting it.

Ana

I have been lurking during this discussion and taking notes.

Ana

First there were HOGs - the classic straight HO scenes with word lists.

Then there were iHOGs or interactive HOGs - inside those HO scenes, you could open drawers, or drag stuff around.

Then came HOAGs, or HO Adventure games - you could walk around and use inventory items like in adventure games.

You didn't mention HOPAs - HO puzzle adventure games, where puzzles & minigames make up a big chunk of the gameplay.

And you have yet to encounter a FrOG - a fragmented object game, where the HO scenes consist of broken-up item pieces.

My favorite is the Adventure Lite, casual games with no HO scenes at all.

Confused yet?

And then there are the ones that are just about wall-to-wall puzzles. I don't think they have a name yet but I wish they did so I could know ahead of time to avoid them.

Gil.