View source for Abstract Player Construct Development

[[Category:Patterns]]
[[Category:Needs revision]]
[[Category:Needs references]]
[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]]
''The development of abstract attributes and characteristics associated with a player of a game.''

Games often associate some parts of their structures with the players. When these structures are abstract in the sense of not being direct part of game worlds and they can be improved, this allows for [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] in the games.

=== Examples ===
The development of different types of technologies in both the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]] and the [[Europa Universalis series]] are examples of [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] that can provide access to new units, new buildings, improved abilities, and, for the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]], new diplomatic actions.

Units in [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]] can received experience through combat or through being built where special building exist. With enough experience points these can be traded for ''promotions'' that either improve abilities or give new abilities.

Adding cards or tiles to one's setup in [[Race for the Galaxy]], [[Ursuppe]], [[American Megafauna]], [[Origins: How We Became Human]], or [[Puerto Rico]] increase one's abilities or provide new ones and thereby provide an [[Abstract Player Construct Development]].

== Using the pattern ==
Making [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] present is games naturally requires [[Abstract Player Constructs]], and besides these ways of improving, from the players' perspective, the values, attributes, and abilities in these. Just as [[Characters]] are a special case of [[Abstract Player Constructs]], so is [[Character Development]] a special case of [[Abstract Player Construct Development]]. In both cases, giving players [[Gain Competence]] goals lets them align their intentions with what is possible in the game. In games where [[Teams]] have their own [[Characteristics]] besides those of their members, [[Team Development]] provides another special case of [[Abstract Player Construct Development]]. [[Expansion]] and [[Exploitation]] are two phases in gameplay arcs where [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] is in gameplay focus.

The actual development is typically either [[New Abilities]] or [[Improved Abilities]] for both [[Abstract Player Constructs]] and [[Characters]], but for [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] achieved through changes in [[Technologies]], promotions, or increases in number of [[Units]] or [[Territories]] - the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]] have all of these and the [[Europa Universalis series]] have all but promotions. Improving [[Bases]], [[Units]], and [[Territories]] can also be a way to improve [[Abstract Player Constructs]]. It is less common to use [[Ability Losses]] or [[Decreased Abilities]] to create [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] but this can sometimes be motivated from a narrative perspective. In general, any development of [[Characteristics]] can be seen as [[Abstract Player Construct Development]].

For games using [[Cards]] to describe [[Abstract Player Constructs]], e.g. [[Race for the Galaxy]], [[Erosion]], [[Ursuppe]], [[American Megafauna]], and [[Origins: How We Became Human]], the addition of new [[Cards]] provide an easy was to provide [[Abstract Player Construct Development]]. More generally, [[Deck Building]] can allow for [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] using [[Cards]]. [[Puerto Rico]] shows an example where [[Tiles]] fill the same role and [[Bag Management]] shows how [[Tokens]] can be put to this use in order to create temporary [[Abstract Player Constructs]].

While [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] deals with "internal" development of players' [[Focus Loci]], [[Persistent Game World Changes]] looks at "external" development of gameplay due to players efforts. Since both relate to how players perceive [[Value of Effort]] in games, it makes sense to consider both simultaneously when designing a game.

== Consequences ==
[[Abstract Player Construct Development]] can like [[Character Development]] provide players with [[New Abilities|New]] or [[Improved Abilities]] - often directly associated with their [[Focus Loci]] and through [[Unlocking]]. This can over time produce [[Paper-Rock-Scissors]] structures and  provide [[Varied Gameplay]]. The introduction of these can provide players with both a [[Value of Effort]] and an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] since they are given more powerful ways of affecting gameplay, even if this is actually offset by increased difficulty as part of [[Red Queen Dilemmas]]. It can also, depending on what is required for the development, also encourage [[Grinding]]. If players have some level of [[Freedom of Choice]] regarding the direction of [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] the [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] can be further increased. In addition, it can support [[Player-Planned Development]]. With [[Freedom of Choice]] over the development, making these become [[Investments]] as well. 

== Relations ==
=== Can Instantiate ===
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], 
[[Grinding]], 
[[Unlocking]], 
[[Value of Effort]]

==== with [[Abstract Player Constructs]] and [[Freedom of Choice]] ====
[[Investments]], 
[[Player-Planned Development]]

==== with [[Improved Abilities]] or [[New Abilities]] ====
[[Paper-Rock-Scissors]], 
[[Varied Gameplay]]

=== Can Modulate ===
[[Bases]], 
[[Focus Loci]], 
[[Territories]], 
[[Units]]

=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
[[Character Development]], 
[[Expansion]], 
[[Exploitation]], 
[[Team Development]], 
[[Quests]]

[[Abstract Player Constructs]] together with [[Ability Losses]], [[Bag Management]], [[Cards]], [[Characteristics]], [[Deck Building]], [[Decreased Abilities]], [[Improved Abilities]], [[New Abilities]], [[Powers]], [[Technologies]], [[Territories]], [[Tiles]], or [[Units]]

=== Can Be Modulated By ===
[[Gain Competence]]

=== Possible Closure Effects ===
-

=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
-

== History ==
New pattern created for this wiki by [[User:Staffan Björk|Staffan Björk]].

== References ==
-

== Acknowledgements ==
-