Determinable Chance to Succeed - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 15:30, 31 July 2015

2015-07-31T15:30:38Z

Staffan Björk at 09:58, 3 July 2015

2015-07-03T09:58:02Z

Staffan Björk at 13:55, 15 December 2014

2014-12-15T13:55:19Z

Staffan Björk at 13:53, 15 December 2014

2014-12-15T13:53:43Z

Staffan Björk: /* Examples */

2014-12-15T13:50:13Z

‎Examples

Staffan Björk: /* Examples */

2014-12-15T13:46:08Z

‎Examples

Staffan Björk at 13:42, 15 December 2014

2014-12-15T13:42:11Z

Staffan Björk: /* Relations */

2014-12-15T13:40:02Z

‎Relations

Staffan Björk: /* Relations */

2014-12-15T13:39:40Z

‎Relations

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2014-12-15T13:39:27Z

‎Using the pattern

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 Giving players a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] requires that games offer them a [[Freedom of Choice]] between actions or goals and that their actions in the game have [[Predictable Consequences]]. However, having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] with several different actions gives a [[Freedom of Choice]], so the patterns affect each other on different levels, e.g. regarding choices between the ways actions can be tried and why actions should be performed. [[Player Decided Results]] are an example of how players can be guaranteed to influence the game, although not necessarily in a way that lets all players have influence.
-Players' basic perception of their chance to succeed is usually based on [[Strategic Knowledge]], the [[Skills]] of their [[Characters]], and if they feel games have [[Player Balance]]. Similar to [[Player Balance]], [[Smooth Learning Curves]] can make players continuously feel that they have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] throughout a game. Although [[Perfect Information]] naturally gives players a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] that is equal to the actual chance to succeed, this may dissuade players from trying if the chance is small or nonexistent. In these cases, [[Imperfect Information]] can instead be used to show, or give the illusion, that players have a chance to succeed and thereby encourage players to try determine what that chance is. Note that the chance perceived by players do not need to be correct, and if players are likely to think they have higher chances than they do this pattern supports [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. Players' possibility to perceive the chances to succeed with specific abilities can easily be modulated negatively during gameplay with [[Ability Losses]] and [[Decreased Abilities]], and positively by [[New Abilities]] and [[Improved Abilities]].
+Players' basic perception of their chance to succeed is usually based on [[Strategic Knowledge]], the [[Skills]] of their [[Characters]], and if they feel games have [[Player Balance]] or [[Team Balance]] (in games with [[TvT]] gameplay for the latter). Similar to [[Player Balance]], [[Smooth Learning Curves]] can make players continuously feel that they have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] throughout a game. Although [[Perfect Information]] naturally gives players a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] that is equal to the actual chance to succeed, this may dissuade players from trying if the chance is small or nonexistent. In these cases, [[Imperfect Information]] can instead be used to show, or give the illusion, that players have a chance to succeed and thereby encourage players to try determine what that chance is. Note that the chance perceived by players do not need to be correct, and if players are likely to think they have higher chances than they do this pattern supports [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. Players' possibility to perceive the chances to succeed with specific abilities can easily be modulated negatively during gameplay with [[Ability Losses]] and [[Decreased Abilities]], and positively by [[New Abilities]] and [[Improved Abilities]].
 [[Cut Scenes]] can give players information on how they should act and thereby make it easier to determine what chances they have of succeeding. [[Near Miss Indicators]] and [[Progress Indicators]] can provide players with explicit information about how well they are performing which can in turn help them determine what chances new attempts will have. [[Extra Chances]] can help players in having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] in two ways: first in knowing that they have several chances and second being able to use their previous experiences in later attempt. [[Game Masters]] have a strong impact on players' ability to succeed: they can either make attempted actions automatic successes, automatic failures, or let the success depend on [[Randomness]] with the possible influence of [[Skills]]. This can translate into players' having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] depending on what information the [[Game Masters]] provide and how much players' trust that information.
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 [[Skills]],
 [[Smooth Learning Curves]],
-[[Strategic Knowledge]]
+[[Strategic Knowledge]],
 === Can Be Modulated By ===

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 [[Cut Scenes]] can give players information on how they should act and thereby make it easier to determine what chances they have of succeeding. [[Near Miss Indicators]] and [[Progress Indicators]] can provide players with explicit information about how well they are performing which can in turn help them determine what chances new attempts will have. [[Extra Chances]] can help players in having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] in two ways: first in knowing that they have several chances and second being able to use their previous experiences in later attempt. [[Game Masters]] have a strong impact on players' ability to succeed: they can either make attempted actions automatic successes, automatic failures, or let the success depend on [[Randomness]] with the possible influence of [[Skills]]. This can translate into players' having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] depending on what information the [[Game Masters]] provide and how much players' trust that information.
-Game mechanisms that hide or manipulate players' chance of succeeding works against having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. This includes [[Balancing Effects]], [[Fudged Results]], and [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. [[Challenging Gameplay]] can make players so focused on handling the challenges so they cannot reflect on their chances of succeeding, so this pattern can also work against [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Enemies]] can do this as well by having unknown capabilities or unknown possibilities to succeed, by these can also be used to increase or decrease the determinability. [[Randomness]] can in a similar faction affect players' possibility to determine their chances of success, so this pattern can also modulate [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Surprises]] and [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] are examples of events that may ruin players' possibility to have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] while [[Leaps of Faith]] are actions that players have to perform without having any determinable chance of success.
+Game mechanisms that hide or manipulate players' chance of succeeding works against having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. This includes [[Balancing Effects]], [[Fudged Results]], and [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. While [[Player Augmentations]] may actually increase chances of success, it does not necessarily make it possible for players to determine how large that chance is. In contrast, [[Challenging Gameplay]] can make players so focused on handling the challenges so they cannot reflect on their chances of succeeding, so this pattern can also work against [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Enemies]] can do this as well by having unknown capabilities or unknown possibilities to succeed, by these can also be used to increase or decrease the determinability. [[Randomness]] can in a similar faction affect players' possibility to determine their chances of success, so this pattern can also modulate [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Surprises]] and [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] are examples of events that may ruin players' possibility to have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] while [[Leaps of Faith]] are actions that players have to perform without having any determinable chance of success.
 == Consequences ==

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 [[Category:Patterns]]
-[[Category:Needs work]]
+[[Category:Dynamic Patterns]]
 [[Category:Needs revision]]
 [[Category:Needs references]]
 ''Game support that lets players have ways of judging the chance for success or failure they have with their actions.''
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 [[Cut Scenes]] can give players information on how they should act and thereby make it easier to determine what chances they have of succeeding. [[Near Miss Indicators]] and [[Progress Indicators]] can provide players with explicit information about how well they are performing which can in turn help them determine what chances new attempts will have. [[Extra Chances]] can help players in having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] in two ways: first in knowing that they have several chances and second being able to use their previous experiences in later attempt. [[Game Masters]] have a strong impact on players' ability to succeed: they can either make attempted actions automatic successes, automatic failures, or let the success depend on [[Randomness]] with the possible influence of [[Skills]]. This can translate into players' having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] depending on what information the [[Game Masters]] provide and how much players' trust that information.
-Game mechanisms that hide or manipulate players chance of succeeding works against having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. This includes [[Balancing Effects]], [[Fudged Results]], and [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. [[Challenging Gameplay]] can make players so focused on handling the challenges so they cannot reflect on their chances of succeeding, so this pattern can also work against [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Enemies]] can do this as well by having unknown capabilities or unknown possibilities to succeed, by these can also be used to increase or decrease the determinability. [[Randomness]] can in a similar faction affect players possibility to determine their chances of success, so this pattern can also modulate [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Surprises]] and [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] are examples of events that may ruin players' possibility to have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] while [[Leaps of Faith]] are actions that players have to perform without having any determinable chance of success.
+Game mechanisms that hide or manipulate players' chance of succeeding works against having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. This includes [[Balancing Effects]], [[Fudged Results]], and [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. [[Challenging Gameplay]] can make players so focused on handling the challenges so they cannot reflect on their chances of succeeding, so this pattern can also work against [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Enemies]] can do this as well by having unknown capabilities or unknown possibilities to succeed, by these can also be used to increase or decrease the determinability. [[Randomness]] can in a similar faction affect players' possibility to determine their chances of success, so this pattern can also modulate [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Surprises]] and [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] are examples of events that may ruin players' possibility to have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] while [[Leaps of Faith]] are actions that players have to perform without having any determinable chance of success.
 == Consequences ==

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 ''Game support that lets players have ways of judging the chance for success or failure they have with their actions.''
-This pattern is under revision and current contains deprecated text. i
+For games to be interesting to play, players must feel that they can influence the outcome of the game. Players have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] when they can, rightly or wrongly, determine more or less exactly what their chance of succeeding in influencing the game state &mdash; and thereby the outcome of a game &mdash; in specific ways.
-−
-For games to be interesting to play, players must feel that they can influence the outcome of the game. Being able to affect the outcome means that players can also choose what sort of outcome they wish the game to have, and that they have a Perceived Chance to Succeed with their intentions. Players do not actually have to have a chance to succeed for a game to be interesting; the important part is that they believe that they have.
 === Examples ===

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 === Examples ===
-Simple betting games such as Roulette or various dice games always give players a chance to win, and players usually can know the exact percentage that they will win. In contrast, players can have hands in most forms of Poker that appear to be able to win when they in fact may not be, due to the cards that have already been dealt.
+Simple betting games such as [[Craps]], [[Hazard]], or [[Roulette]] let players have a fully [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. Other [[:Category:Gambling Games|Gambling Games]], e.g. [[Blackjack]] or [[Texas Hold'em]] allow players to make some calculations on what probabilities they have to win but not necessarily with complete certainty.
-−
-Most computer games can either not be won at all or guarantee that there are ways to win. In the latter case, players know that there exists a chance to succeed in completing the game, but the perception of that possibility for them is mainly due to their perception of their own skills compared to the difficulty of the game.
 [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] such as [[Basic Roleplaying]] or [[GURPS]] let player characters have skills which provide specific percentages to succeed with actions. The ''V.A.T.S system'' in [[Fallout 3]] and [[Fallout: New Vegas]] is a similar case where players in combat can get the exact chances of hitting various enemies and body parts displayed.

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 Most computer games can either not be won at all or guarantee that there are ways to win. In the latter case, players know that there exists a chance to succeed in completing the game, but the perception of that possibility for them is mainly due to their perception of their own skills compared to the difficulty of the game.
-V.A.T.S system in [[Fallout 3]] and [[Fallout: New Vegas]]
+[[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] such as [[Basic Roleplaying]] or [[GURPS]] let player characters have skills which provide specific percentages to succeed with actions. The ''V.A.T.S system'' in [[Fallout 3]] and [[Fallout: New Vegas]] is a similar case where players in combat can get the exact chances of hitting various enemies and body parts displayed.
 == Using the pattern ==

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 Players' basic perception of their chance to succeed is usually based on [[Strategic Knowledge]], the [[Skills]] of their [[Characters]], and if they feel games have [[Player Balance]]. Similar to [[Player Balance]], [[Smooth Learning Curves]] can make players continuously feel that they have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] throughout a game. Although [[Perfect Information]] naturally gives players a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] that is equal to the actual chance to succeed, this may dissuade players from trying if the chance is small or nonexistent. In these cases, [[Imperfect Information]] can instead be used to show, or give the illusion, that players have a chance to succeed and thereby encourage players to try determine what that chance is. Note that the chance perceived by players do not need to be correct, and if players are likely to think they have higher chances than they do this pattern supports [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. Players' possibility to perceive the chances to succeed with specific abilities can easily be modulated negatively during gameplay with [[Ability Losses]] and [[Decreased Abilities]], and positively by [[New Abilities]] and [[Improved Abilities]].
-[[Cut Scenes]] can give players information on how they should act and thereby make it easier to determine what chances they have of succeeding. [[Near Miss Indicators]] and [[Progress Indicators]] can provide players with explicit information about how well they are performing which can in turn help them determine what chances new attempts will have. [[Extra Chances]] can help players in having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] in two ways: first in knowing that they have several chances and second being able to use their previous experiences in later attempt.
+[[Cut Scenes]] can give players information on how they should act and thereby make it easier to determine what chances they have of succeeding. [[Near Miss Indicators]] and [[Progress Indicators]] can provide players with explicit information about how well they are performing which can in turn help them determine what chances new attempts will have. [[Extra Chances]] can help players in having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] in two ways: first in knowing that they have several chances and second being able to use their previous experiences in later attempt. [[Game Masters]] have a strong impact on players' ability to succeed: they can either make attempted actions automatic successes, automatic failures, or let the success depend on [[Randomness]] with the possible influence of [[Skills]]. This can translate into players' having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] depending on what information the [[Game Masters]] provide and how much players' trust that information.
-−
-Game Masters have a strong impact on players Perceived Chance to Succeed: they can either make attempted actions automatic successes, automatic failures, or let the success depend on Randomness with the possible influence of Skill. Automatic successes instantiate Player Decided Results and possibly Creative Control, although players may not be aware of this to maintain Tension and maintain other players' Illusion of Influence or Perceived Chance to Succeed. Automatic failures may be necessary to maintain Narrative Structures but can be done without breaking players' Illusion of Influence if the way of determining the evaluation function is hidden from the players, for example, by rolling Dice behind a Game Master's screen.
 Game mechanisms that hide or manipulate players chance of succeeding works against having a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. This includes [[Balancing Effects]], [[Fudged Results]], and [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. [[Challenging Gameplay]] can make players so focused on handling the challenges so they cannot reflect on their chances of succeeding, so this pattern can also work against [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Enemies]] can do this as well by having unknown capabilities or unknown possibilities to succeed, by these can also be used to increase or decrease the determinability. [[Randomness]] can in a similar faction affect players possibility to determine their chances of success, so this pattern can also modulate [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]]. [[Surprises]] and [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] are examples of events that may ruin players' possibility to have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] while [[Leaps of Faith]] are actions that players have to perform without having any determinable chance of success.
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 [[Decreased Abilities]],
 [[Enemies]],
 [[Improved Abilities]],
 [[New Abilities]],

@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 === Can Modulate ===
 [[Freedom of Choice]]
 === Can Be Instantiated By ===
@@ Line 80: / Line 74: @@
 [[Enemies]],
 [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]],
-[[Fudged Results]]
+[[Fudged Results]],
 == History ==