Balancing Effects - Revision history

Staffan Björk: /* Can Be Instantiated By */

2022-10-18T12:41:58Z

‎Can Be Instantiated By

Staffan Björk at 16:05, 3 October 2016

2016-10-03T16:05:03Z

Staffan Björk at 07:59, 4 September 2016

2016-09-04T07:59:58Z

Staffan Björk at 10:30, 24 July 2016

2016-07-24T10:30:32Z

Staffan Björk at 10:15, 16 July 2016

2016-07-16T10:15:38Z

Staffan Björk at 15:22, 8 August 2015

2015-08-08T15:22:15Z

Staffan Björk at 08:05, 8 August 2015

2015-08-08T08:05:09Z

Staffan Björk at 08:04, 8 August 2015

2015-08-08T08:04:51Z

Staffan Björk at 19:24, 31 July 2015

2015-07-31T19:24:58Z

Staffan Björk at 19:02, 31 July 2015

2015-07-31T19:02:20Z

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 [[Illusionary Rewards]],
 [[Improved Abilities]],
 [[Negative Feedback Loops]],
 [[New Abilities]],

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 [[Balancing Effects]] can be designed in a game to be preemptive or correcting. They are most commonly used in [[Middlegame]] phases since they may be premature in [[Startgame]] phases and counter-productive to make [[Endgame]] meaningful. Preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] try to maintain [[Player Balance]] in games with [[PvP]] gameplay so that imbalances do not occur or, for [[Single-Player Games]], ways of trying to set challenge levels, while correcting [[Balancing Effects]] try to correct imbalances when they have occurred. An alternative to [[Balancing Effects]], which can be used together with them, is [[Limited Foresight]] since this removes players possibility to experience that they are losing to others. While most of the possibilities listed below look at ways a game system or game design can try to have [[Balancing Effects]], the [[Beat the Leader]] pattern looks at how players can be encourage to enact [[Balancing Effects]] against perceived leaders of a game.
-[[Handicap Systems]] are preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] that are put into effect before gameplay begins. An example of the latter is making powerful actions into [[Extended Actions]], an another form of preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] is to make these [[Extended Actions]] into [[Interruptible Actions]] since other players can interfere with the actions, especially if they do not have any effect before they are completed. [[Collaborative Actions]], [[Cooldown]] periods for actions and [[Powers]], and [[Delayed Effects]] can all have [[Balancing Effects]], since the limit how easy or often player can make certain actions and how easily others can avoid them. Other ways of creating preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] consist of designing [[Illusionary Rewards]], requiring [[Trade-Offs]], allowing players to choose [[Selectable Sets of Goals]] that best fit their abilities, or providing [[Diminishing Returns]] to players that otherwise could become clear leaders. One example of a [[Trade-Offs|Trade-Off]] possible with [[Tools]] and other [[Equipment]] is to make them [[Deterioration|Deteriorate]] with use; this forces players to choose between avoiding to wear down their usefulness (through [[Decreased Abilities]] or [[Ability Losses]]) to solve current problems or save them for future challenges.
+[[Handicap Systems]] are preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] that are put into effect before gameplay begins. An example of the latter is making powerful actions into [[Extended Actions]], an another form of preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] is to make these [[Extended Actions]] into [[Interruptible Actions]] since other players can interfere with the actions, especially if they do not have any effect before they are completed. [[Collaborative Actions]], [[Cooldown]] periods for actions and [[Powers]], and [[Delayed Effects]] can all have [[Balancing Effects]], since the limit how easy or often player can make certain actions and how easily others can avoid them. Other ways of creating preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] consist of designing [[Illusionary Rewards]], requiring [[Trade-Offs]], allowing players to choose a [[Selectable Set of Goals]] that best fit their abilities, or providing [[Diminishing Returns]] to players that otherwise could become clear leaders. One example of a [[Trade-Offs|Trade-Off]] possible with [[Tools]] and other [[Equipment]] is to make them [[Deterioration|Deteriorate]] with use; this forces players to choose between avoiding to wear down their usefulness (through [[Decreased Abilities]] or [[Ability Losses]]) to solve current problems or save them for future challenges.
 If [[Balancing Effects]] are direct, these effects can ruin an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] for players and even make them avoid trying to achieve what should be goals for them. Having [[Balancing Effects]] affect the players results indirectly can solve this, for example through [[Character Development]] progressing slower for already skilled [[Characters]], or by making [[New Abilities]] be additions to those players already have to pick form when using [[Budgeted Action Points]] or make them into [[Temporary Abilities]]. Countering [[New Abilities|New]] or [[Improved Abilities]] with [[Ability Losses]] or [[Decreased Abilities]] is another solution. [[Resource Caps]] shows an example of how preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] can be achieved through modifying how [[Resources]] are handled, although the [[Resource Caps]] may in turn affect how actions can be made, e.g. by providing caps for [[Budgeted Action Points]]. [[Conditional Passageways]] can be used to create [[Balancing Effects]], either indirectly through creating [[Safe Havens]] by only allowing some entry into gameplay area or directly by denying entry to some gameplay areas for those using [[Vehicles]].
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 [[Varying Turn Orders]],
 [[Safe Havens]],
-[[Selectable Sets of Goals]],
+[[Selectable Set of Goals]],
 [[Shared Rewards]],
 [[Temporary Abilities]],

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 == Using the pattern ==
-[[Balancing Effects]] can be designed in a game to be preemptive or correcting. They are most commonly used in [[Middlegame]] phases since they may be premature in [[Startgame]] phases and counter-productive to make [[Endgame]] meaningful. Preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] try to maintain [[Player Balance]] in games with [[PvP]] gameplay so that imbalances do not occur or, for [[Single-Player Games]], ways of trying to set challenge levels, while correcting [[Balancing Effects]] try to correct imbalances when they have occurred. An alternative to [[Balancing Effects]], which can be used together with them, is [[Limited Foresight]]. While most of the possibilities listed below look at ways a game system or game design can try to have [[Balancing Effects]], the [[Beat the Leader]] pattern looks at how players can be encourage to enact [[Balancing Effects]] against perceived leaders of a game.
+[[Balancing Effects]] can be designed in a game to be preemptive or correcting. They are most commonly used in [[Middlegame]] phases since they may be premature in [[Startgame]] phases and counter-productive to make [[Endgame]] meaningful. Preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] try to maintain [[Player Balance]] in games with [[PvP]] gameplay so that imbalances do not occur or, for [[Single-Player Games]], ways of trying to set challenge levels, while correcting [[Balancing Effects]] try to correct imbalances when they have occurred. An alternative to [[Balancing Effects]], which can be used together with them, is [[Limited Foresight]] since this removes players possibility to experience that they are losing to others. While most of the possibilities listed below look at ways a game system or game design can try to have [[Balancing Effects]], the [[Beat the Leader]] pattern looks at how players can be encourage to enact [[Balancing Effects]] against perceived leaders of a game.
 [[Handicap Systems]] are preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] that are put into effect before gameplay begins. An example of the latter is making powerful actions into [[Extended Actions]], an another form of preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] is to make these [[Extended Actions]] into [[Interruptible Actions]] since other players can interfere with the actions, especially if they do not have any effect before they are completed. [[Collaborative Actions]], [[Cooldown]] periods for actions and [[Powers]], and [[Delayed Effects]] can all have [[Balancing Effects]], since the limit how easy or often player can make certain actions and how easily others can avoid them. Other ways of creating preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] consist of designing [[Illusionary Rewards]], requiring [[Trade-Offs]], allowing players to choose [[Selectable Sets of Goals]] that best fit their abilities, or providing [[Diminishing Returns]] to players that otherwise could become clear leaders. One example of a [[Trade-Offs|Trade-Off]] possible with [[Tools]] and other [[Equipment]] is to make them [[Deterioration|Deteriorate]] with use; this forces players to choose between avoiding to wear down their usefulness (through [[Decreased Abilities]] or [[Ability Losses]]) to solve current problems or save them for future challenges.
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 If [[Balancing Effects]] are direct, these effects can ruin an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] for players and even make them avoid trying to achieve what should be goals for them. Having [[Balancing Effects]] affect the players results indirectly can solve this, for example through [[Character Development]] progressing slower for already skilled [[Characters]], or by making [[New Abilities]] be additions to those players already have to pick form when using [[Budgeted Action Points]] or make them into [[Temporary Abilities]]. Countering [[New Abilities|New]] or [[Improved Abilities]] with [[Ability Losses]] or [[Decreased Abilities]] is another solution. [[Resource Caps]] shows an example of how preemptive [[Balancing Effects]] can be achieved through modifying how [[Resources]] are handled, although the [[Resource Caps]] may in turn affect how actions can be made, e.g. by providing caps for [[Budgeted Action Points]]. [[Conditional Passageways]] can be used to create [[Balancing Effects]], either indirectly through creating [[Safe Havens]] by only allowing some entry into gameplay area or directly by denying entry to some gameplay areas for those using [[Vehicles]].
-Correcting [[Balancing Effects]] are generally some form of [[Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment]]. Specific examples of correcting [[Balancing Effects]] include giving [[New Abilities]] or [[Improved Abilities]] to disadvantaged players and giving [[Ability Losses]] or [[Decreased Abilities]] to advantaged players. The classic case used in [[Races]] is [[Decreased Abilities]] in the form of [[Movement Limitations]] through  having a lower maximum speed. In games that require [[Aim & Shoot]] activities, [[Balancing Effects]] by giving some players [[Auto-Aim]] support or giving all players this but give various levels of this depending on their performance or skills (however, giving the wrong players this works against [[Balancing Effects]]). To support players having [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], the positive effects of correcting [[Balancing Effects]] are usually [[Rewards]] to disadvantaged players for completing goals while the negative effects are usually [[Penalties]] to the advantaged players for failing to complete goals. The evaluation function that determines the [[Balancing Effects]] is for the reason of maintaining [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence|Exaggerated Perceptions of Influence]] often masked from players through the presence of [[Randomness]], as for example is done in the [[Mario Kart series]] by making all [[Pick-Ups]] look the same, or nearly the same, even though they have different effects, or by hiding the actual rolling of [[Dice]] to be able to make [[Fudged Results]]. Another example of a correcting [[Balancing Effects|Balancing Effect]] is to decide the order of [[Turn Taking]] so that disadvantaged players give the most advantageous positions - this is found for example in [[Ursuppe]]. While this is one way of [[Varying Turn Orders]] in a game with [[Turn Taking]] many other versions exist, including those were players can change the order by gameplay actions. One use such correcting [[Balancing Effects]] is to compensate for [[Asymmetric Abilities]] and [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] such as [[First Player Advantages]]; imposing extra costs for picking elements ''deeper'' into [[Drafting Spreads]] is an example of this. [[Balancing Effects]] that are supposed to even the playing field for [[Late Arriving Players]] or those engaging in [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] gameplay need to be correcting rather than preemptive. Games with [[Evolving Rule Sets]] can provide [[Balancing Effects]] in the tweaking of game rules in updates, and while this may occur in between game instances this is a form of correcting [[Balancing Effects|Balancing Effect]] in that it is the result of observations of imbalances in the gameplay.
+Correcting [[Balancing Effects]] are generally some form of [[Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment]] or [[Negative Feedback Loops|Negative Feedback Loop]]. Specific examples of correcting [[Balancing Effects]] include giving [[New Abilities]] or [[Improved Abilities]] to disadvantaged players and giving [[Ability Losses]] or [[Decreased Abilities]] to advantaged players. The classic case used in [[Races]] is [[Decreased Abilities]] in the form of [[Movement Limitations]] through  having a lower maximum speed. In games that require [[Aim & Shoot]] activities, [[Balancing Effects]] by giving some players [[Auto-Aim]] support or giving all players this but give various levels of this depending on their performance or skills (however, giving the wrong players this works against [[Balancing Effects]]). To support players having [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], the positive effects of correcting [[Balancing Effects]] are usually [[Rewards]] to disadvantaged players for completing goals while the negative effects are usually [[Penalties]] to the advantaged players for failing to complete goals. The evaluation function that determines the [[Balancing Effects]] is for the reason of maintaining [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence|Exaggerated Perceptions of Influence]] often masked from players through the presence of [[Randomness]], as for example is done in the [[Mario Kart series]] by making all [[Pick-Ups]] look the same, or nearly the same, even though they have different effects, or by hiding the actual rolling of [[Dice]] to be able to make [[Fudged Results]]. Another example of a correcting [[Balancing Effects|Balancing Effect]] is to decide the order of [[Turn Taking]] so that disadvantaged players give the most advantageous positions - this is found for example in [[Ursuppe]]. While this is one way of [[Varying Turn Orders]] in a game with [[Turn Taking]] many other versions exist, including those were players can change the order by gameplay actions. One use such correcting [[Balancing Effects]] is to compensate for [[Asymmetric Abilities]] and [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] such as [[First Player Advantages]]; imposing extra costs for picking elements ''deeper'' into [[Drafting Spreads]] is an example of this. [[Balancing Effects]] that are supposed to even the playing field for [[Late Arriving Players]] or those engaging in [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] gameplay need to be correcting rather than preemptive. Games with [[Evolving Rule Sets]] can provide [[Balancing Effects]] in the tweaking of game rules in updates, and while this may occur in between game instances this is a form of correcting [[Balancing Effects|Balancing Effect]] in that it is the result of observations of imbalances in the gameplay.
 [[Transfer of Control]] can also be used to correct imbalances, but these are often linked to the [[Rewards]] or [[Penalties]] of any of the players. A common solution is to have forced [[Shared Rewards]], so that the player who gains the [[Rewards|Reward]] must share it with someone else, typically the most disadvantaged player. Controlling how [[Spawning]] occurs can also be corrective, either placing disadvantaged players at [[Strategic Locations]] or placing advantaged players at bad locations.
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 [[Illusionary Rewards]],
 [[Improved Abilities]],
 [[New Abilities]],
 [[PvP]],

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 [[Balancing Effects]] push players towards [[Tied Results]] if they are possible in a game. While ensuring that players have a chance of finishing in good positions, [[Balancing Effects]] can work against them having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. It can also make [[Perceivable Margins]] more difficult to provide, remove feelings of [[Gameplay Mastery]], and lessen the [[Value of Effort]] for what has been achieved in games. [[Balancing Effects]] have a volatile relation to [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] - when players do not notice the [[Balancing Effects]] it can support the other pattern but when players can notice that it is explicitly the [[Balancing Effects]] that tip the scales it instead works against them having an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]].
-[[Balancing Effects]] can make [[Predictable Winner]] difficult or impossible to identify.
+[[Balancing Effects]] can make [[Predictable Winner]] difficult or impossible to identify and thereby also avoid [[Kingmaker]] situation from occurring.
 == Relations ==
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 [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]],
 [[Gameplay Mastery]],
 [[Perceivable Margins]],
 [[Predictable Winner]],

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:15, 16 July 2016
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	[[Movement Limitations]] together with [[Races]]		[[Movement Limitations]] together with [[Races]]
		+
		+	[[Player Decided Results]] or [[Player-Decided Distributions]] in [[Multiplayer Games]] with [[Game State Overviews]]

	=== Can Be Modulated By ===		=== Can Be Modulated By ===

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 [[Back-to-Back Game Sessions]] are a specific type of [[Balancing Effects|Balancing Effect]] that can be applied on games with [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] or [[First Player Advantages]] as long as players are willing to make [[Meta Games]] of them by playing the game several times.
-[[Multiplayer Games]] with more than two [[Teams]] or players competing against each other automatically have some corrective [[Balancing Effects]]. This since players perceived as leading form the natural starting point for [[Uncommitted Alliances]] with the [[Mutual Goals]] of ganging up against the leader but can also lead to [[King Maker]] effects. These [[Uncommitted Alliances]] are common in games with [[King of the Hill]] goals but can also be found in games that allow [[Player Decided Results]] and [[Player-Decided Distribution of Rewards & Penalties]]. Sufficient [[Game State Overviews]], e.g. public [[Scores]] as [[Ursuppe]] uses, are required for this form of [[Balancing Effects|Balancing Effect]] to occur since players need to be able to notice who is leading.
+[[Multiplayer Games]] with more than two [[Teams]] or players competing against each other automatically have some corrective [[Balancing Effects]]. This since players perceived as leading form the natural starting point for [[Uncommitted Alliances]] with the [[Mutual Goals]] of ganging up against the leader but can also lead to [[King Maker]] effects. These [[Uncommitted Alliances]] are common in games with [[King of the Hill]] goals but can also be found in games that allow [[Player Decided Results]] and [[Player-Decided Distributions]] of [[Rewards]] or [[Penalties]]. Sufficient [[Game State Overviews]], e.g. public [[Scores]] as [[Ursuppe]] uses, are required for this form of [[Balancing Effects|Balancing Effect]] to occur since players need to be able to notice who is leading.
 [[Game Masters]], as [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] that have constant access to the complete game state and can enforce their own [[Player Decided Results]], can perform both preemptive and corrective balancing effects during gameplay. They can, as can [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] in general, make the [[Balancing Effects]] hidden from the players and difficult to detect.

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 [[Balancing Effects]] can help games maintain [[Tension]] as long as possible in games and to allow [[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]]. [[Balancing Effects]] can provide both [[Player Balance|Player]] (in games with [[PvP]]) and [[Team Balance]] (in games with [[TvT]]). In [[Single-Player Games]] they are in contrast used to provide the specific level of difficulty, e.g. [[Casual Gameplay|Casual]] or [[Challenging Gameplay]], and this often through [[Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment]]. Regardless, [[Balancing Effects]] can provide [[Smooth Learning Curves]] since they can compensate for lack of experience or player skill.
-[[Balancing Effects]] push players towards [[Tied Results]] if they are possible in a game. While ensuring that players have a chance of finishing in good positions, [[Balancing Effects]] can work against them having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. It can also make [[Perceivable Margins]] more difficult to provide, remove feelings of [[Game Mastery]], and lessen the [[Value of Effort]] for what has been achieved in games. [[Balancing Effects]] have a volatile relation to [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] - when players do not notice the [[Balancing Effects]] it can support the other pattern but when players can notice that it is explicitly the [[Balancing Effects]] that tip the scales it instead works against them having an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]].
+[[Balancing Effects]] push players towards [[Tied Results]] if they are possible in a game. While ensuring that players have a chance of finishing in good positions, [[Balancing Effects]] can work against them having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. It can also make [[Perceivable Margins]] more difficult to provide, remove feelings of [[Gameplay Mastery]], and lessen the [[Value of Effort]] for what has been achieved in games. [[Balancing Effects]] have a volatile relation to [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] - when players do not notice the [[Balancing Effects]] it can support the other pattern but when players can notice that it is explicitly the [[Balancing Effects]] that tip the scales it instead works against them having an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]].
 [[Balancing Effects]] can make [[Predictable Winner]] difficult or impossible to identify.