Budgeted Action Points - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 08:02, 27 July 2015

2015-07-27T08:02:08Z

Staffan Björk at 15:26, 18 July 2015

2015-07-18T15:26:19Z

Staffan Björk at 07:11, 18 July 2015

2015-07-18T07:11:14Z

Staffan Björk at 13:11, 7 October 2014

2014-10-07T13:11:55Z

Staffan Björk: /* Can Modulate */

2011-09-22T13:16:01Z

‎Can Modulate

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2011-09-22T13:14:15Z

‎Using the pattern

Staffan Björk at 13:51, 21 August 2011

2011-08-21T13:51:50Z

Staffan Björk: /* Can Modulate */

2011-08-06T22:39:24Z

‎Can Modulate

Staffan Björk: /* Can Modulate */

2011-08-06T22:39:14Z

‎Can Modulate

Staffan Björk: /* Can Modulate */

2011-08-06T22:38:14Z

‎Can Modulate

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 [[Budgeted Action Points]] gives players a [[Freedom of Choice]] of which actions within a [[Limited Set of Actions]] they wish to do, and they also provide [[Action Caps]] since only a limited number of actions can be done within a time limit. They are indirect [[Resources]] which inherently are [[Limited Resources]] since they have [[Resource Caps]], and when controlling [[Movement]] they also impose [[Movement Limitations]]. Handling these requires [[Resource Management]] and often also considering [[Trade-Offs]] between the different possible actions available, both which help create more [[Complex Gameplay]].
-The [[Freedom of Choice]] that [[Budgeted Action Points]] gives [[Stimulated Planning]] regarding [[Tactical Planning]], and through this possibly also [[Cognitive Engrossment]]. However, in games that are [[Multiplayer Games|Multiplayer]] and [[Turn-Based Games|Turn-Based]], this can cause [[Analysis Paralysis]]. For games with [[Persistent Game Worlds]] and where the [[Budgeted Action Points]] are [[Regenerating Resources]], this combination supports [[Encouraged Return Visits]]. Similarly, the combination of [[Budget Action Points]] and [[Regenerating Resources]] can be used to create [[Tick-Based Games]]. In any type of game running out of [[Budgeted Action Points]] can lead to [[Helplessness]].
+The [[Freedom of Choice]] that [[Budgeted Action Points]] gives [[Stimulated Planning]] regarding [[Tactical Planning]], and through this possibly also [[Cognitive Engrossment]]. However, in games that are [[Multiplayer Games|Multiplayer]] and [[Turn-Based Games|Turn-Based]], this can cause [[Analysis Paralysis]]. For games with [[Persistent Game Worlds]] and where the [[Budgeted Action Points]] are [[Regenerating Resources]], this combination supports [[Encouraged Return Visits]]. Similarly, the combination of [[Budgeted Action Points]] and [[Regenerating Resources]] can be used to create [[Tick-Based Games]]. In any type of game running out of [[Budgeted Action Points]] can lead to [[Helplessness]].
 [[Budgeted Action Points]] can have [[Balancing Effects]] on powerful abilities since these may cost more points and not be usable so often. Further, the impact of [[New Abilities]] or [[Privileged Abilities]] is lessened when used together with [[Budgeted Action Points]] as using them requires players to not use other actions.

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 [[Budgeted Action Points]] gives players a [[Freedom of Choice]] of which actions within a [[Limited Set of Actions]] they wish to do, and they also provide [[Action Caps]] since only a limited number of actions can be done within a time limit. They are indirect [[Resources]] which inherently are [[Limited Resources]] since they have [[Resource Caps]], and when controlling [[Movement]] they also impose [[Movement Limitations]]. Handling these requires [[Resource Management]] and often also considering [[Trade-Offs]] between the different possible actions available, both which help create more [[Complex Gameplay]].
-The [[Freedom of Choice]] that [[Budgeted Action Points]] gives [[Stimulated Planning]] regarding [[Tactical Planning]], and through this possibly also [[Cognitive Engrossment]]. However, in games that are [[Multiplayer Games|Multiplayer]] and [[Turn-Based Games|Turn-Based]], this can cause [[Analysis Paralysis]]. For games with [[Persistent Game Worlds]] and where the [[Budgeted Action Points]] are [[Regenerating Resources]], this combination supports [[Encouraged Return Visits]]. In any type of game running out of [[Budgeted Action Points]] can lead to [[Helplessness]].
+The [[Freedom of Choice]] that [[Budgeted Action Points]] gives [[Stimulated Planning]] regarding [[Tactical Planning]], and through this possibly also [[Cognitive Engrossment]]. However, in games that are [[Multiplayer Games|Multiplayer]] and [[Turn-Based Games|Turn-Based]], this can cause [[Analysis Paralysis]]. For games with [[Persistent Game Worlds]] and where the [[Budgeted Action Points]] are [[Regenerating Resources]], this combination supports [[Encouraged Return Visits]]. Similarly, the combination of [[Budget Action Points]] and [[Regenerating Resources]] can be used to create [[Tick-Based Games]]. In any type of game running out of [[Budgeted Action Points]] can lead to [[Helplessness]].
 [[Budgeted Action Points]] can have [[Balancing Effects]] on powerful abilities since these may cost more points and not be usable so often. Further, the impact of [[New Abilities]] or [[Privileged Abilities]] is lessened when used together with [[Budgeted Action Points]] as using them requires players to not use other actions.
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 ==== with [[Persistent Game Worlds]] and [[Regenerating Resources]] ====
 [[Encouraged Return Visits]]
 === Can Modulate ===

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 The amount of points available are mostly affected by how much of a [[Limited Resources|Limited Resource]] they should be, the risk of causing [[Analysis Paralysis]] and having the right level of [[Predictable Consequences]] for other players. However, related to this is the cost of the actions. By having different costs for different actions, [[Balancing Effects]] can be put in place but also differences in [[Game Worlds]] and [[Levels]] through [[Environmental Effects]]. Having different costs also changes how often different actions are used (heavily affected by how many points are available) but balancing the selection of actions can also be accomplished by introducing [[No-Use Bonus|No-Use Bonuses]] (e.g. the resource producing tiles in [[Agricola]]).
-How [[Budgeted Action Points]] can be replenished depend primarily on how game time is updated. In games with [[Turn Taking]] or other [[Turn-Based Games]], e.g. [[Space Hulk]] or [[Cartagena]], this is typically done through refilling the whole supply of action points every turn, but [[Agricola]] shows an alternative by letting players spend one action on their turn and then moving on to the next players until all action points have been spend and only then replenishing everybody's supply. In [[Real-Time Games|Real-Time]] or [[Tick-based Games]], [[Budgeted Action Points]] are typically [[Renewable Resources]] through [[Regenerating Resources|Regenerating]] over time. The [[Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]] and the computer-version of [[Space Hulk (video game)|Space Hulk]] are examples of these design solutions. [[CityVille]] and [[Ravenwood Fair]] work similarly but also offer action points as [[Purchasable Game Advantages]] - this does not disturb [[Player Balance]] since these are [[Massively Single-Player Online Games]].
+How [[Budgeted Action Points]] can be replenished depend primarily on how game time is updated. In games with [[Turn Taking]] or other [[Turn-Based Games]], e.g. [[Space Hulk]] or [[Cartagena]], this is typically done through refilling the whole supply of action points every turn, but [[Agricola]] shows an alternative by letting players spend one action on their turn and then moving on to the next players until all action points have been spend and only then replenishing everybody's supply. In [[Real-Time Games|Real-Time]] or [[Tick-Based Games]], [[Budgeted Action Points]] are typically [[Renewable Resources]] through [[Regenerating Resources|Regenerating]] over time. The [[Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]] and the computer-version of [[Space Hulk (video game)|Space Hulk]] are examples of these design solutions. [[CityVille]] and [[Ravenwood Fair]] work similarly but also offer action points as [[Purchasable Game Advantages]] - this does not disturb [[Player Balance]] since these are [[Massively Single-Player Online Games]].
 === Interface Aspects ===
@@ Line 88: / Line 88: @@
 [[Regenerating Resources]],
 [[Renewable Resources]],
-[[Tick-based Games]],
+[[Tick-Based Games]],
 [[Token Placement]]

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 == Consequences ==
-[[Budgeted Action Points]] gives players a [[Freedom of Choice]] of which actions within a [[Limited Set of Actions]] they wish to do, and they also provide [[Action Caps]] since only a limited number of actions can be done within a time limit. They are indirect [[Resources]] which inherently are [[Limited Resources]] since they have [[Resource Caps]], and when controlling [[Movement]] they also impose [[Movement Limitations]]. Handling these requires [[Resource Management]] and often also considering [[Trade-Offs]] between the different possible actions available.
+[[Budgeted Action Points]] gives players a [[Freedom of Choice]] of which actions within a [[Limited Set of Actions]] they wish to do, and they also provide [[Action Caps]] since only a limited number of actions can be done within a time limit. They are indirect [[Resources]] which inherently are [[Limited Resources]] since they have [[Resource Caps]], and when controlling [[Movement]] they also impose [[Movement Limitations]]. Handling these requires [[Resource Management]] and often also considering [[Trade-Offs]] between the different possible actions available, both which help create more [[Complex Gameplay]].
 The [[Freedom of Choice]] that [[Budgeted Action Points]] gives [[Stimulated Planning]] regarding [[Tactical Planning]], and through this possibly also [[Cognitive Engrossment]]. However, in games that are [[Multiplayer Games|Multiplayer]] and [[Turn-Based Games|Turn-Based]], this can cause [[Analysis Paralysis]]. For games with [[Persistent Game Worlds]] and where the [[Budgeted Action Points]] are [[Regenerating Resources]], this combination supports [[Encouraged Return Visits]]. In any type of game running out of [[Budgeted Action Points]] can lead to [[Helplessness]].
@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 [[Balancing Effects]],
 [[Cognitive Engrossment]],
 [[Freedom of Choice]],
 [[Helplessness]],

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 === Can Modulate ===
 [[Characters]],
 [[Combat]],
 [[Investments]],
 [[Movement]],
@@ Line 66: / Line 70: @@
 [[Producers]],
 [[Real-Time Games]],
 [[Technology Trees]],
 [[Turn Taking]],

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Three main aspects need to be considered when creating games with [[Budgeted Action Points]]: what actions are controlled by this system, how much points do players have access to, and how are the points replenished?
-The selection of possible actions which can be paid by the [[Budgeted Action Points]] can be any kind of action that is part of the overall game play. However, the action points may be for all actions, or individual budgets may exist for each [[Characters|Character]] or [[Units|Unit]]. The [[Europa Universalis series]] shows how different budgets can be created for various abstract actions also. For [[Budgeted Action Points]] that are used during gameplay for [[Units]] or [[Characters]], one common set of possible actions include [[Movement]] and different forms of actions related to [[Combat]]. One possible variation is to make it possible or not to reuse the same actions several times. Another, more abstract and strategic, set of possible actions include doing [[Investments]] in [[Technology Trees]] or choosing which [[Producers]] to activate. [[Budgeted Action Points]] can also be used to drive [[Token Placement]] systems where players use their action points to select which actions are to be done later, and this  typically divides gameplay into [[Planning Phases]] and [[Execution Phases]]. All these actions may be constructed so they are performed at once or put in a sequence through [[Action Programming]] that will be evaluated later. [[Budgeted Action Points]] can also be used before gameplay, this is most often used to give players ways to select [[Attributes]], [[Equipment]], [[Skills]], as well as [[Advantages]] and [[disadvantages]] for [[Characters]].
+The selection of possible actions which can be paid by the [[Budgeted Action Points]] can be any kind of action that is part of the overall game play. However, the action points may be for all actions, or individual budgets may exist for each [[Characters|Character]] or [[Units|Unit]]. The [[Europa Universalis series]] shows how different budgets can be created for various abstract actions also. For [[Budgeted Action Points]] that are used during gameplay for [[Units]] or [[Characters]], one common set of possible actions include [[Movement]] and different forms of actions related to [[Combat]]. One possible variation is to make it possible or not to reuse the same actions several times. Another, more abstract and strategic, set of possible actions include doing [[Investments]] in [[Technology Trees]] or choosing which [[Producers]] to activate. [[Budgeted Action Points]] can also be used to drive [[Token Placement]] systems where players use their action points to select which actions are to be done later, and this  typically divides gameplay into [[Planning Phases]] and [[Execution Phases]]. All these actions may be constructed so they are performed at once or put in a sequence through [[Action Programming]] that will be evaluated later. [[Budgeted Action Points]] can also be used before gameplay, this is most often used to give players ways to select [[Attributes]], [[Equipment]], [[Skills]], as well as [[Advantages]] and [[Disadvantages]] for [[Characters]].
 The amount of points available are mostly affected by how much of a [[Limited Resources|Limited Resource]] they should be, the risk of causing [[Analysis Paralysis]] and having the right level of [[Predictable Consequences]] for other players. However, related to this is the cost of the actions. By having different costs for different actions, [[Balancing Effects]] can be put in place but also differences in [[Game Worlds]] and [[Levels]] through [[Environmental Effects]]. Having different costs also changes how often different actions are used (heavily affected by how many points are available) but balancing the selection of actions can also be accomplished by introducing [[No-Use Bonus|No-Use Bonuses]] (e.g. the resource producing tiles in [[Agricola]]).

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 === Interface Aspects ===
-[[Chips]] can be used when [[Budgeted Action Points]] need to be represented by game elements. [[Game State Indicators]] can be used in [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]].
+[[Cards]] and [[Chips]] can be used when [[Budgeted Action Points]] need to be represented by game elements. [[Game State Indicators]] can be used in [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]].
 == Consequences ==
@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 === Can Be Instantiated By ===
 [[Chips]]