View source for Improved Abilities

[[Category:Patterns]]
[[Category:Event Patterns]]
[[Category:Action Patterns]]
[[Category:Needs revision]]
[[Category:Needs references]]
''The event of abilities improving their efficiency.''

Players may over time get to have more influence on game states through their actions. While this may be due to their mental or physical capabilities developing, [[Improved Abilities]] occur when the game state variables that control the evaluation functions of their actions are modified so that the actions have greater effects. This allows the development of players' actions to be governed by rules and matched to rewards and other events defined by game states.

=== Examples ===
[[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] often describe players' abilities with numeric values, and succeeding with actions requires players to make various die rolls in relation to these values. Improvement of these skills is done simply by increasing the associated value. Besides gaining bonuses from having good equipment, this is often done to represent character development but can be done in several different ways. In [[Dungeons & Dragons]] the improvements come with advances in ''character levels'' and players may then choose combinations of new and improved abilities. In [[Basic Role-Playing]], [[Hârnmaster]], and [[Mutant]] the chance to improve skills typically depend on actually having used them although pools of advancement points can be given out semi-regularly also ([[GURPS]] does this also). These two styles have been carried over to [[:Category:Computer-based Roleplaying Games|Computer-based Roleplaying Games]] with [[Torchlight]], [[World of Warcraft]], the [[Dragon Age series]], and the [[Fallout series]] being examples of using levels and the [[Elder Scrolls series]] an example of improving abilities based on how much they are used.

Chargers and Power-ups in [[:Category:Racing Games|Racing Games]] such as [[F-Zero GX]], the [[Wipeout series]], and the [[Mario Kart series]] often give vehicles a speed boost or raise the maximum speed possible without further affecting players' possible actions.

Examples of [[Improved Abilities]] from [[:Category:Board Games|Board Games]] include gaining new (ordinary) weapons in [[Frag]], acquiring ''item'' cards in [[Munchkin]], gaining family members in [[Agricola]], and gaining new action tokens in [[Dominant Species]].

== Using the pattern ==
The design choices regarding [[Improved Abilities]] include what [[Abilities]] to improve, how much to improve them, when to improve them, and if players have a choice regarding this issues. The difference between [[New Abilities]] and [[Improved Abilities]] is often one of scale or perspective: are the abilities activated in the same fashion as before, do they affect the same parts of the game state, and do games' [[Alternative Realities]] explain them as being different or the same? For example, does acquiring a new [[Weapons|Weapon]] that does more [[Damage]] that a previous one represent a new or improved ability? This can be up to subjective opinion and for that reason it may be worthwhile to consider the options and consequences regarding [[New Abilities]] and [[Improved Abilities]] together when the distinction is not clear. 

[[Improved Abilities]] are often easier to explain within a [[Thematic Consistency]] than [[New Abilities]], as the pattern can be instantiated as increases in [[Attributes]], [[Powers]], or [[Skills]] of [[Characters]] or [[Avatars]] - possibly through advances in [[Character Levels]]. For [[Abstract Player Constructs]] the introduction of [[Improved Abilities]] can also uses these explanations but [[New Abilities]] are as thematically plausible as improved ones. [[Equipment]], [[Sets]], [[Tools]], [[Vehicles]], and [[Weapons]] are all ways of giving [[Improved Abilities]] linked to the possession of [[Game Items]] and therefore fit [[Characters]] and [[Avatars]] well. The use of [[Ammunition]] in itself does not motivate [[Improved Abilities]] but can do so when several different varieties of [[Ammunition]] exists (as e.g. in the [[Fallout series]]). Items in [[Game Worlds]] that provide [[Improved Abilities]] can thematically be used on [[Units]] as well but may functionally be effects of [[Investments]], unlocking parts of [[Technology Trees]], or [[Upgrading]]. These latter solutions may also work well on [[Abstract Player Constructs]]. [[Controllers]] and [[Environmental Effects]] (the latter which may be defined by what [[Improved Abilities]] they give) do not make these [[Improved Abilities]] into [[Location-Fixed Abilities]] per se, but make the improvements location-fixed. [[Power-Ups]] and [[Chargers]] have similar effects but also create [[Improved Abilities]] by having [[Time Limits]]. Joining or teaming up with [[Factions]] can also motivate [[Improved Abilities]] and since this is based on social relations the option may be best suited for use with [[Characters]] or [[Abstract Player Constructs]] when these represent organizations or states. What patterns are best suited to give [[Improved Abilities]] to [[Enemies]] depend on their nature (are they represented by [[Avatars]], [[Characters]], [[Units]], or [[Abstract Player Constructs]]?).

[[Improved Abilities]] are quite natural to give to players as [[Rewards]]. They can also be the result of [[Investments]] and then let players have the [[Freedom of Choice]] of making [[Tradeoffs]] between finishing these or making other actions. For games with [[Character Levels]] or [[Budgeted Action Points]] for improvements can let players also have [[Freedom of Choice]] - in this case of what specific [[Abilities]] to improve.

While [[Improved Abilities]] may disrupt player balance if given unchecked, [[Balancing Effects]] for them can easily be acquired by simultaneously making other [[Abilities]] into [[Decreased Abilities]]. Another way of introducing [[Balancing Effects]] is to include [[Diminishing Returns]] so that players with powerful [[Abilities]] get less advantages of improving these than other players. Having [[Time Limits]], as e.g. [[Power-Ups]] do, is yet another way to balance [[Improved Abilities]].

Although any type of action players can perform can benefit from [[Improved Abilities]], actions related to [[Combat]] or [[Movement]] are probably most common. A more abstract example is providing addition points for [[Budgeted Action Points|Budgeted Action Point]] systems. Alternatively, players' actions may require fewer action points and this design solution can also be used for any type of actions that requires the expenditure of [[Resources]].

=== Interface Aspects ===
When players have a [[Freedom of Choice]] of which [[Abilities]] should be improved, this is often done outside gameplay time and supported through [[Secondary Interface Screens]] in computer-based games.

=== Narrative Aspects ===
Giving [[Improved Abilities]] to players (and their [[Enemies]]) is a common solution in game stories to allow [[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]].

== Consequences ==
[[Improved Abilities]] give players [[Empowerment]] by making the [[Abilities]] of [[Abstract Player Constructs]], [[Avatars]], or [[Characters]] more potent and can through this promote [[Competence Areas]]. The improvement is typically [[Rewards]] for completing [[Gain Competence]] goals or the acquisition of various types of [[Controllers]], [[Equipment]], [[Sets]], [[Tools]], or [[Vehicles]] as part of [[Gain Ownership]] goals. Gaining [[Improved Abilities]] create [[Supporting Goals]] as well, as they empower players to influence the game state and create [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. When given before gameplay starts, [[Improved Abilities]] are a way of setting [[Difficulty Levels]] while giving them during gameplay can tilt the balance of [[Player/Character Skill Composites]]. Regardless of when they are given, [[Improved Abilities]] may go against [[Challenging Gameplay]] if given in too much abundance but when given by others (including [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] or impartial rule systems) they may function as [[Balancing Effects]]. 

When [[Improved Abilities]] are applied to [[Enemies]] this can give [[Challenging Gameplay]] as well as create [[Boss Monsters]]. When applied to both players and [[Enemies]], [[Improved Abilities]] can, like [[New Abilities]], give rise to [[Red Queen Dilemmas]]. This can also occur when competing players can improve abilities during gameplay so that they are equally matched.

Like [[New Abilities]], the improvement of [[Abilities]] is a form of [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] or [[Character Development]] that may give rise to [[Varied Gameplay]] and set up [[Paper-Rock-Scissors]] relations (although not as readily as [[New Abilities]] may do). When players' are given a [[Freedom of Choice]] to affect what [[Abilities]] are improved, these effects become more potent and can give rise to [[Player-Planned Development]] and the choices can represent [[Character Defining Actions]]. In games with [[Teams]], the development also becomes [[Team Development]], potentially with the additional effect of [[Orthogonal  Differentiation]]. 

[[Improved Abilities]] can create [[Tradeoffs]] when players have to choose between several different categories of [[Abilities]] to improve. In the case of [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] or [[Character Development]] this is typically permanent, but having several different types of [[Ammunition]] is one example of how players can have [[Tradeoffs]] between different types of [[Improved Abilities]] on a moment to moment basis.

== Relations ==
=== Can Instantiate ===
[[Abstract Player Construct Development]], 
[[Balancing Effects]], 
[[Character Defining Actions]], 
[[Character Development]], 
[[Competence Areas]], 
[[Difficulty Levels]], 
[[Empowerment]], 
[[Environmental Effects]], 
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], 
[[Gain Competence]], 
[[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]], 
[[Red Queen Dilemmas]], 
[[Rewards]], 
[[Supporting Goals]]

==== with [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] or [[Character Development]] ====
[[Paper-Rock-Scissors]], 
[[Varied Gameplay]]

==== [[Ammunition]] ====
[[Tradeoffs]]

==== with [[Controllers]], [[Equipment]], [[Sets]], [[Tools]], or [[Vehicles]] ====
[[Gain Ownership]] 

==== with [[Decreased Abilities]] ====
[[Balancing Effects]]

==== with [[Enemies]] ====
[[Boss Monsters]]

==== with [[Freedom of Choice]] ====
[[Player-Planned Development]]

==== with [[Teams]] ====
[[Orthogonal Differentiation]], 
[[Team Development]]

=== Can Modulate ===
[[Abilities]], 
[[Abstract Player Constructs]], 
[[Ammunition]], 
[[Attributes]], 
[[Avatars]], 
[[Budgeted Action Points]], 
[[Challenging Gameplay]], 
[[Character Levels]], 
[[Characters]], 
[[Combat]], 
[[Enemies]], 
[[Factions]], 
[[Freedom of Choice]], 
[[Movement]], 
[[Power-Ups]], 
[[Powers]], 
[[Player/Character Skill Composites]], 
[[Skills]], 
[[Units]]

=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
[[Chargers]], 
[[Controllers]], 
[[Equipment]], 
[[Investments]], 
[[Power-Ups]], 
[[Sets]], 
[[Technology Trees]], 
[[Tools]], 
[[Upgrading]], 
[[Vehicles]], 
[[Weapons]]

=== Can Be Modulated By ===
[[Diminishing Returns]], 
[[Location-Fixed Abilities]], 
[[Time Limits]]

=== Possible Closure Effects ===
-

=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
[[Challenging Gameplay]]

== History ==
An updated version of the pattern ''Improved Abilities'' that was part of the original collection in the book ''Patterns in Game Design''<ref name="Bjork & Holopainen 2004"/>.

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="Bjork & Holopainen 2004">Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) ''Patterns in Game Design''. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.</ref>
</references>

== Acknowledgements ==