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''The abstract attributes and characteristics associated with a player of a game.''

Many games divide gameplay into events taking place in a game world and abstract entities handling attributes and possible actions. Those entities in the latter group that are under player control are [[Abstract Player Constructs]].

=== Examples ===
The financial empires built and destroyed in [[Monopoly]] can be seen as [[Abstract Player Constructs]], consisting of the money and land deeds players have (and the latter may or may not be mortgaged). Grand strategy games such as the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]] and the [[Europa Universalis series]] let players take control over civilizations or countries.

The empires built in [[Race for the Galaxy]], the colonies constructed in [[Puerto Rico]], the farms developed in [[Agricola]], and the mountain uplifted in [[Erosion]] are all [[Abstract Player Constructs]] since they are not part of one game world (even if the represent parts of it). Similarly, the abilities developed for species in [[Ursuppe]], [[Spore]], and [[American Megafauna]] are [[Abstract Player Constructs]], as are the technologies developed in [[Origins: How We Became Human]].

The people played in [[:Category:Roleplaying Games|Roleplaying Games]], e.g. [[Dungeons & Dragons]] or [[GURPS]], are [[Abstract Player Constructs]] but are usually simply called [[Characters]]. The third edition of [[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]] does add another type of [[Abstract Player Constructs]] -  ''party sheets'' representing the type of group the players are and which provides specific abilities to them.

== Using the pattern ==
While what types of information is a prime concern for the design of [[Abstract Player Constructs]], a likewise important aspect is how they connect to how players can affect [[Game Worlds]]. [[Characters]] are a special case of [[Abstract Player Constructs]] that are often tied to [[Avatars]]. They distinguish themselves from other [[Abstract Player Constructs]] in often being more detailed, either to support [[Emotional Engrossment]] or being parts of [[Narration Structures]]. Another noteworthy aspect of them is that they are also the most common example, through [[Non-Player Characters]], of abstract constructs that are not under some form of player control. Besides [[Characters]], other examples of ways [[Abstract Player Constructs]] can be connected to [[Game Worlds]] is how they change the abilities and possible actions of [[Installations]] (see e.g. the [[Victoria series]]) or [[Units]] (see e.g. [[Ursuppe]]).



Attributes that represent physical or mental abilities and determine values such as Lives, Health, and fatigue; Skills that affect the likelihood of succeeding with actions and may give Privileged Abilities such as being a Producer that can create Renewable Resources; Advantages, Disadvantages

While [[Abstract Player Constructs]] in general may not allow the same personalization as [[Characters]], they can often become more powerful during gameplay through [[Abstract Player Construct Development]].



=== Diegetic Aspects ===
Somewhat paradoxically, that [[Abstract Player Constructs]] do not exist themselves in [[Game Worlds]] help provide [[Diegetic Consistency]] in these. This since there are many things one cannot directly observe in the real world, and not being able to do this in [[Game Worlds]] adds this similarity to a game.

=== Interface Aspects ===
The information contained in [[Abstract Player Constructs]] can be used to create [[Gameplay Statistics]]. One example of how this can be done exists in the ''ledgers'' [[Europa Universalis series|Europa Universalis]] and [[Victoria series]]; these show both current and historical overviews of a country's statistics as well as comparisons to other countries of some types of statistics.

=== Narrative Aspects ===
While [[Abstract Player Constructs]] in themselves do usually not support narratives, this is more common for [[Characters]], the retelling of an [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] during a game instance creates a narrative.

== Consequences ==
[[Abstract Player Constructs]] let [[Game Worlds]] have more complexity than can be represented by the [[Game Worlds]] themselves, and thereby modulate these. When players can have some control and foresight into the [[Abstract Player Construct Development]], this leads to [[Player-Planned Development]] and a way for [[Player Time Investments]]. However, games that allow or require players to interact with [[Abstract Player Constructs]] often can be perceived as forcing them to engage in [[Excise]].

In [[Multiplayer Games]], [[Abstract Player Constructs]] which provide different types of [[Privileged Abilities]] create [[Orthogonal Unit Differentiation]]; this is for example done through the combination of choices regarding leader and civilization in the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]]. Providing [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] for different [[Abstract Player Constructs]], as done in the [[Europa Universalis series|Europa Universalis]] and [[Victoria series]], is a way to provide [[Difficulty Settings]].

== Relations ==
=== Can Instantiate ===
[[Diegetic Consistency]], 
[[Excise]]

==== with [[Abstract Player Construct Development]] ====
[[Player Time Investments]], 
[[Player-Planned Development]]

==== with [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] ====
[[Difficulty Settings]]

==== with [[Privileged Abilities]] ====
[[Orthogonal Unit Differentiation]]

=== Can Modulate ===
[[Game Worlds]]

=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
[[Characters]]

=== Can Be Modulated By ===
[[Abstract Player Construct Development]], 
[[Gameplay Statistics]]

=== Possible Closure Effects ===
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=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
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== History ==
New pattern created in this wiki.

== References ==
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== Acknowledgements ==
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