View source for Solution Uncertainty

[[Category:Dynamic Patterns]]
[[Category:Patterns]]
[[Category:Needs revision]]
[[Category:Needs references]]
[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]]
[[Category:To be Published]]
''Uncertainty in a game which stems from not being aware of an existent solution to a challenge.''

Players of games are often tasks with trying to reach a goal without knowing exactly how to reach that goal. A game has [[Solution Uncertainty]] when this challenge takes the form of mainly having to do with figuring out what actions to do, rather than doing them, although a solution might not actually exist.

Note: ''Uncertainty that comes from the possibility of players failing to perform an action or series of actions is covered by the pattern [[Performance Uncertainty]].''

=== Examples ===
[[:Category:Puzzles|Puzzles]] such as [[Jigsaw Puzzles]], [[Solitaire]], and [[Tangram]] all built upon [[Solution Uncertainty]] to provide gameplay for players without requiring other players to participate. [[Alchemists]], [[Battleship]], [[Cluedo]], [[Mastermind]], [[Mystery of the Abbey]], and [[Ricochet Robots]] are examples of multiplayer games that build upon similar [[Solution Uncertainty]].

Examples of computer-based [[:Category:Puzzle Games|Puzzle Games]] relying on [[Solution Uncertainty]] include [[Angry Birds]], [[Continuity]], [[Cursor*10]], [[Drop 7]], and the [[Portal series]]. [[:Category:Adventure Games|Adventure Games]] such as [[King's Quest series]], the [[Leisure Suit Larry series]], [[Maniac Mansion]], and the [[Myst series]] are similar but combine puzzle solving with exploration of an environment and the telling of a story.

== Using the pattern ==
[[Solution Uncertainty]] is created by introducing [[Complex Gameplay]], [[Imperfect Information]], [[Uncertainty of Information]], or a combination of these. It is however important to note that a solution must not necessarily exist, the important thing is that players experience that a solution might exist. 

[[Strategic Knowledge]] can ruin games based on [[Solution Uncertainty]] if the solution can become apparent due to the knowledge players can bring over from other game instances. It can however also be a way of modifying [[Solution Uncertainty]]  so that players may have an advantage in finding solutions if they have [[Strategic Knowledge]]. 

The use of [[AI Players]] requires extra consideration when it comes to using [[Solution Uncertainty]] in a game since human players and [[AI Players]] most likely have very different cognitive abilities and what can be difficult for one category of players to find can be trivial for the other.

== Consequences ==
The most basic consequence of [[Solution Uncertainty]] is that it creates [[Uncertainty of Outcome]] in games. This often leads to [[Puzzle Solving]] or [[Tactical Planning]], which in turn can make for [[Challenging Gameplay]] or lead to players suffering from [[Analysis Paralysis]]. A slightly more unintuitive effect of [[Solution Uncertainty]] is that is can lead to a player becoming the target of a [[Surprise Attacks]] due to an inability of foreseeing a potential attack. 

While [[Solution Uncertainty]] does not automatically create [[No Direct Player Influence]], it does provide a basis for making this type of gameplay in that it opens up for players considering how to manipulate a game state rather than simply manipulating it.

== Relations ==
=== Can Instantiate ===
[[Analysis Paralysis]], 
[[Challenging Gameplay]], 
[[No Direct Player Influence]], 
[[Puzzle Solving]], 
[[Surprise Attacks]], 
[[Tactical Planning]], 
[[Uncertainty of Outcome]] 

=== Can Modulate ===
-

=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
[[Complex Gameplay]], 
[[Imperfect Information]], 
[[Uncertainty of Information]]

=== Can Be Modulated By ===
[[AI Players]], 
[[Strategic Knowledge]]

=== Possible Closure Effects ===
-

=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
[[Strategic Knowledge]]

== History ==
New pattern created in this wiki. However, the pattern is based on the concept of ''solver's uncertainty'' described in Costikyan's book ''Uncertainty in Games''<ref name="Costikyan"/>.

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="Costikyan">Costikyan, G. 2013. Uncertainty in Games. MIT Press. Official [http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/uncertainty-games webpage] for the book.</ref>
</references>

== Acknowledgements ==
-