Enforced Agent Behavior - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 12:00, 20 March 2018

2018-03-20T12:00:48Z

Staffan Björk at 16:04, 3 October 2016

2016-10-03T16:04:51Z

Staffan Björk at 12:00, 4 August 2015

2015-08-04T12:00:38Z

Staffan Björk: /* Relations */

2015-07-05T20:15:46Z

‎Relations

Staffan Björk at 20:04, 5 July 2015

2015-07-05T20:04:29Z

Staffan Björk at 09:39, 3 July 2015

2015-07-03T09:39:40Z

Staffan Björk at 09:29, 30 July 2014

2014-07-30T09:29:27Z

Staffan Björk: /* Relations */

2011-05-29T09:38:20Z

‎Relations

Staffan Björk at 09:38, 29 May 2011

2011-05-29T09:38:12Z

Staffan Björk at 11:12, 26 May 2011

2011-05-26T11:12:18Z

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 Regarding [[Agents]] controlled by players, [[AI Players]] is an easy solution but does not of course work for all players except when used in [[Zero-Player Games]]. Looking beyond [[AI Players]],  two strategies present themselves in how to ensure [[Enforced Character Behavior]]: making players perform the actions or taking control away from them so that the game system can perform the actions. [[Game Masters]] provide the most flexible solution to this, being able to apply specific solutions and switch between the two as circumstances dictate. Another option is [[Player Augmentations]], which if done skillfully, can make players feel that they performed the actions although it was the augmentation that made it done at the right time and in the right way.
-Goals that are both [[Predefined Goals|Predefined]] and [[Mandatory Goals|Mandatory]] force players to perform certain specific actions. However, they do so without guaranteeing the specific behavior in all the actions leading up to the ones that complete the goals. A [[Selectable Set of Goals]] provides some [[Freedom of Choice]] while still guaranteeing at least one action will occur. [[Supporting Goals]] and [[Optional Goals]] encourage behaviors but do not actually enforce them unless they are [[Committed Goals]] with related [[Penalties]]. Since they are related to player choices and [[Characters]], the use of [[Player-Created Characters]] and [[Player-Planned Development]] are ways of achieving this, especially when combined with [[Diegetic Social Norms]] and [[Trait Regulated Behavior]].
+Goals that are both [[Predefined Goals|Predefined]] and [[Enforced Goals|Enforced]] force players to perform certain specific actions. However, they do so without guaranteeing the specific behavior in all the actions leading up to the ones that complete the goals. A [[Selectable Set of Goals]] provides some [[Freedom of Choice]] while still guaranteeing at least one action will occur. [[Supporting Goals]] and [[Optional Goals]] encourage behaviors but do not actually enforce them unless they are [[Committed Goals]] with related [[Penalties]]. Since they are related to player choices and [[Characters]], the use of [[Player-Created Characters]] and [[Player-Planned Development]] are ways of achieving this, especially when combined with [[Diegetic Social Norms]] and [[Trait Regulated Behavior]].
 [[Cutscenes]] take away player control and thereby can provide [[Enforced Character Behavior]] as well as the perspectives to be used when presenting the scenes to the players. By doing so they can ensure [[Predetermined Story Structures]] but at least temporarily remove any [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. [[Automated Responses]] can in contrast provide [[Enforced Character Behavior]] in specific case during gameplay.
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]],
 [[Diegetic Social Norms]],
-[[Game Masters]], [[Limited Set of Actions]], [[Mandatory Goals]],
+[[Game Masters]], [[Limited Set of Actions]], [[Enforced Goals]],
 [[No Direct Player Influence]],
 [[Player Augmentations]],

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 Regarding [[Agents]] controlled by players, [[AI Players]] is an easy solution but does not of course work for all players except when used in [[Zero-Player Games]]. Looking beyond [[AI Players]],  two strategies present themselves in how to ensure [[Enforced Character Behavior]]: making players perform the actions or taking control away from them so that the game system can perform the actions. [[Game Masters]] provide the most flexible solution to this, being able to apply specific solutions and switch between the two as circumstances dictate. Another option is [[Player Augmentations]], which if done skillfully, can make players feel that they performed the actions although it was the augmentation that made it done at the right time and in the right way.
-Goals that are both [[Predefined Goals|Predefined]] and [[Mandatory Goals|Mandatory]] force players to perform certain specific actions. However, they do so without guaranteeing the specific behavior in all the actions leading up to the ones that complete the goals. [[Selectable Sets of Goals]] provide some [[Freedom of Choice]] while still guaranteeing at least one action will occur. [[Supporting Goals]] and [[Optional Goals]] encourage behaviors but do not actually enforce them unless they are [[Committed Goals]] with related [[Penalties]]. Since they are related to player choices and [[Characters]], the use of [[Player-Created Characters]] and [[Player-Planned Development]] are ways of achieving this, especially when combined with [[Diegetic Social Norms]] and [[Trait Regulated Behavior]].
+Goals that are both [[Predefined Goals|Predefined]] and [[Mandatory Goals|Mandatory]] force players to perform certain specific actions. However, they do so without guaranteeing the specific behavior in all the actions leading up to the ones that complete the goals. A [[Selectable Set of Goals]] provides some [[Freedom of Choice]] while still guaranteeing at least one action will occur. [[Supporting Goals]] and [[Optional Goals]] encourage behaviors but do not actually enforce them unless they are [[Committed Goals]] with related [[Penalties]]. Since they are related to player choices and [[Characters]], the use of [[Player-Created Characters]] and [[Player-Planned Development]] are ways of achieving this, especially when combined with [[Diegetic Social Norms]] and [[Trait Regulated Behavior]].
 [[Cutscenes]] take away player control and thereby can provide [[Enforced Character Behavior]] as well as the perspectives to be used when presenting the scenes to the players. By doing so they can ensure [[Predetermined Story Structures]] but at least temporarily remove any [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. [[Automated Responses]] can in contrast provide [[Enforced Character Behavior]] in specific case during gameplay.
@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 === Can Be Instantiated By ===
-[[AI Players]], [[Algorithmic Agents]], [[Action Programming]], [[Automated Responses]], [[Characters]], [[Committed Goals]], [[Cutscenes]], [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], [[Game Masters]], [[Limited Set of Actions]], [[Mandatory Goals]],
+[[AI Players]], [[Algorithmic Agents]], [[Action Programming]], [[Automated Responses]], [[Characters]], [[Committed Goals]], [[Cutscenes]],
 [[No Direct Player Influence]],
 [[Player Augmentations]],
 [[Player-Created Characters]],
-[[Player-Planned Development]], [[Predefined Goals]], [[Selectable Sets of Goals]], [[Diegetic Social Norms]], [[Trait Regulated Behavior]], [[Zero-Player Games]]
+[[Player-Planned Development]], [[Predefined Goals]], [[Selectable Set of Goals]],
 === Can Be Modulated By ===

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 == Consequences ==
-Since [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can ensure that specific actions and events take place, they can ensure [[Character Defining Actions]]. By doing so, [[Character Development]] can be steered so that [[Predetermined Story Structures]] are maintained and told as planned. [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can also make certain that some action do not occur, e.g. that [[Characters]] do not kill each other and thereby finish [[Internal Rivalry]] structures prematurely.
+Since [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can ensure that specific actions and events take place, they can ensure [[Character Defining Actions]] of [[Characters]]. By doing so, [[Character Development]] can be steered so that [[Predetermined Story Structures]] are maintained and told as planned. [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can also make certain that some action do not occur, e.g. that [[Characters]] do not kill each other and thereby finish [[Internal Rivalry]] structures prematurely.
 [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can help [[Thematic Consistency]] since it can ensure that [[Agents]] behave in accordance to what is expected within a [[Game Worlds|Game World]]. It can also help modulate [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] by giving [[Characters]] agency but this also makes the combinations into [[Player/System Action Composites]]. However, the use of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] typically makes it difficult to have [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] and [[Freedom of Choice]], especially when player control is explicitly removed through use of [[Cutscenes]]. Even when games provide some [[Freedom of Choice]] in regards to [[Enforced Agent Behavior]], it can conflict with, rather than modulate, [[Roleplaying]] if the character design is not transferred consistently to the gameplay. Player may also actively recent or oppose [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] if they created the [[Characters]] through [[Player-Designed Characters]].
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 == Relations ==
 === Can Instantiate ===
 [[Predetermined Story Structures]],
 [[Thematic Consistency]], [[Thematic Consistent Dialogues]],
 [[Teams]]
 ==== with [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] ====

@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 ==== with [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] ====
-[[Player/Action Skill Composites]]
+[[Player/System Action Composites]]
 === Can Modulate ===

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 Since [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can ensure that specific actions and events take place, they can ensure [[Character Defining Actions]]. By doing so, [[Character Development]] can be steered so that [[Predetermined Story Structures]] are maintained and told as planned. [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can also make certain that some action do not occur, e.g. that [[Characters]] do not kill each other and thereby finish [[Internal Rivalry]] structures prematurely.
-[[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can help [[Thematic Consistency]] since it can ensure that [[Agents]] behave in accordance to what is expected within a [[Game Worlds|Game World]]. It can also help modulate [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] by giving [[Characters]] agency but this also makes the combinations into [[Player/System Skill Composites]]. However, the use of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] typically makes it difficult to have [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] and [[Freedom of Choice]], especially when player control is explicitly removed through use of [[Cutscenes]]. Even when games provide some [[Freedom of Choice]] in regards to [[Enforced Agent Behavior]], it can conflict with, rather than modulate, [[Roleplaying]] if the character design is not transferred consistently to the gameplay. Player may also actively recent or oppose [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] if they created the [[Characters]] through [[Player-Designed Characters]].
+[[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can help [[Thematic Consistency]] since it can ensure that [[Agents]] behave in accordance to what is expected within a [[Game Worlds|Game World]]. It can also help modulate [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] by giving [[Characters]] agency but this also makes the combinations into [[Player/System Action Composites]]. However, the use of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] typically makes it difficult to have [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] and [[Freedom of Choice]], especially when player control is explicitly removed through use of [[Cutscenes]]. Even when games provide some [[Freedom of Choice]] in regards to [[Enforced Agent Behavior]], it can conflict with, rather than modulate, [[Roleplaying]] if the character design is not transferred consistently to the gameplay. Player may also actively recent or oppose [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] if they created the [[Characters]] through [[Player-Designed Characters]].
 For games with [[Characters]], [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can also interfere with the possibility of having [[Player-Created Characters]] and [[Player-Planned Development]]. The exception to this is when it is a self-inflicted effect due to choices players have done regarding their [[Characters]] and their intended development.
@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 ==== with [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] ====
-[[Player/System Skill Composites]]
+[[Player/Action Skill Composites]]
 === Can Modulate ===

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 == Using the pattern ==
-The initial concern with making use of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] is to determine what behavior the [[Agents|Agent]] should be. Typically this may be to provide [[Thematic Consistency]] (including [[Thematically Consistent Dialogues]]) or maintain [[Narration Structures]] (especially concerning [[Character Development]]). However, it may also be used to make it impossible to actively act against team mates in games with [[Teams]].
+The initial concern with making use of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] is to determine what behavior the [[Agents|Agent]] should be. Typically this may be to provide [[Thematic Consistency]] (including [[Thematically Consistent Dialogues]]) or maintain [[Predetermined Story Structures]] (especially concerning [[Character Development]]). However, it may also be used to make it impossible to actively act against team mates in games with [[Teams]].
 The easiest way of making sure of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] is to only make those actions which are wanted possible, which comes down to defining a [[Limited Set of Actions]]. This set of actions may be enough to sustain the intended behavior if the only interesting part of the personalities one wishes to present is noticeable from actions uninformed by previous events. In these cases the state of the [[Agents]] may only need to expressed through use of [[Avatars]], [[NPCs]], or [[Units]]. However, for more complex behaviors the development of [[Characters]] to keep track of internal states is typically necessary.
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 Goals that are both [[Predefined Goals|Predefined]] and [[Mandatory Goals|Mandatory]] force players to perform certain specific actions. However, they do so without guaranteeing the specific behavior in all the actions leading up to the ones that complete the goals. [[Selectable Sets of Goals]] provide some [[Freedom of Choice]] while still guaranteeing at least one action will occur. [[Supporting Goals]] and [[Optional Goals]] encourage behaviors but do not actually enforce them unless they are [[Committed Goals]] with related [[Penalties]]. Since they are related to player choices and [[Characters]], the use of [[Player-Created Characters]] and [[Player-Planned Development]] are ways of achieving this, especially when combined with [[Diegetic Social Norms]] and [[Trait Regulated Behavior]].
-[[Cutscenes]] take away player control and thereby can provide [[Enforced Character Behavior]] as well as the perspectives to be used when presenting the scenes to the players. By doing so they can ensure [[Narration Structures]] but at least temporarily remove any [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. [[Automated Responses]] can in contrast provide [[Enforced Character Behavior]] in specific case during gameplay.
+[[Cutscenes]] take away player control and thereby can provide [[Enforced Character Behavior]] as well as the perspectives to be used when presenting the scenes to the players. By doing so they can ensure [[Predetermined Story Structures]] but at least temporarily remove any [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]. [[Automated Responses]] can in contrast provide [[Enforced Character Behavior]] in specific case during gameplay.
 Being constructed from rules game designers have chosen, [[Algorithmic Agents]] (and [[AI Players]]) by definition have [[Enforced Agent Behavior]], but the pattern can also be used to give them consider specific [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] as compared to other [[Agents]].
@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] is, regardless of if it is applied to [[Agents]] controlled by players or not, essential for making actions have [[Thematic Consistency]].
-=== Narrative Aspects ===
+=== Narration Aspects ===
-As stated above,  [[Enforced Character Behavior]] can guarantee [[Narration Structures]], either be making sure events take place when they should or by making sure that certain events do not take place.
+As stated above,  [[Enforced Character Behavior]] can guarantee [[Predetermined Story Structures]], either be making sure events take place when they should or by making sure that certain events do not take place.
 == Consequences ==
-Since [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can ensure that specific actions and events take place, they can ensure [[Character Defining Actions]]. By doing so, [[Character Development]] can be steered so that [[Narration Structures]] are maintained and told as planned. [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can also make certain that some action do not occur, e.g. that [[Characters]] do not kill each other and thereby finish [[Internal Rivalry]] structures prematurely.
+Since [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can ensure that specific actions and events take place, they can ensure [[Character Defining Actions]]. By doing so, [[Character Development]] can be steered so that [[Predetermined Story Structures]] are maintained and told as planned. [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can also make certain that some action do not occur, e.g. that [[Characters]] do not kill each other and thereby finish [[Internal Rivalry]] structures prematurely.
 [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] can help [[Thematic Consistency]] since it can ensure that [[Agents]] behave in accordance to what is expected within a [[Game Worlds|Game World]]. It can also help modulate [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] by giving [[Characters]] agency but this also makes the combinations into [[Player/System Skill Composites]]. However, the use of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] typically makes it difficult to have [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] and [[Freedom of Choice]], especially when player control is explicitly removed through use of [[Cutscenes]]. Even when games provide some [[Freedom of Choice]] in regards to [[Enforced Agent Behavior]], it can conflict with, rather than modulate, [[Roleplaying]] if the character design is not transferred consistently to the gameplay. Player may also actively recent or oppose [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] if they created the [[Characters]] through [[Player-Designed Characters]].
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 === Can Instantiate ===
 [[Character Defining Actions]],
 [[Thematic Consistency]], [[Thematic Consistent Dialogues]],
 [[Teams]]

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 === Examples ===
-The dialogue choices available in games such as the [[Mass Effect series]] or [[The Witcher]] gives players' some degree of freedom while at the same time guaranteeing that the responses chosen are in line with the personality of the players' characters.
+The dialogue choices available in games such as the [[Mass Effect series]] or the [[Witcher series]] gives players' some degree of freedom while at the same time guaranteeing that the responses chosen are in line with the personality of the players' characters.
 The [[Thief series]] uses goals to enforce certain behaviors. Players that try to complete the game will make their characters steal valuable items since this is dictated by mandatory goals. However, they are further encouraged to do similar actions through optional goals, and are encouraged to not behave in certain other ways (e.g. killing guards) by the lack of game rewards for engaging in these types of activities.