View source for How to Write a BANG Puzzle

====2. Content (aka The Data)====

There are many ways to '''extract''' your solution from a puzzle, but you'll need something to extract it ''from''.  Anything that players can find patterns in can work here, as recognizing patterns is generally what is needed to solve a puzzle.  This gives the puzzle designer a wide range of possibilities to work with.  Text, pictures, physical objects, performances, games, interaction with GC, etc. are all fair and fun content to use in your puzzle.

'''Do not put content in a puzzle that will not aid in solving.'''  Puzzle creators have put many things in their puzzles to make it pretty, more realistic, or just for fun.  The problem is that the solver has no idea whether or not extraneous information is part of the puzzle. They may try to use something included only for decoration and end up very frustrated when they find out it wasn't necessary.  A good BANG puzzle uses every piece of information presented in the puzzle, with nothing left over.