Excise - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 15:15, 19 March 2018

2018-03-19T15:15:46Z

Staffan Björk at 14:40, 27 March 2017

2017-03-27T14:40:56Z

Staffan Björk at 08:41, 3 September 2016

2016-09-03T08:41:54Z

Staffan Björk at 11:48, 6 July 2016

2016-07-06T11:48:09Z

Staffan Björk: /* Examples */

2016-07-06T11:47:13Z

‎Examples

Staffan Björk: /* Examples */

2016-07-06T11:46:54Z

‎Examples

Staffan Björk at 11:45, 6 July 2016

2016-07-06T11:45:02Z

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2016-07-06T11:43:19Z

‎Using the pattern

Staffan Björk at 11:39, 6 July 2016

2016-07-06T11:39:54Z

Staffan Björk: /* Examples */

2016-07-06T11:39:38Z

‎Examples

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:15, 19 March 2018
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	Note: ''the concept of ''[[Excise]] ''comes from the field of Human-Computer Interaction<ref name="cooper"/>.		Note: ''the concept of ''[[Excise]] ''comes from the field of Human-Computer Interaction<ref name="cooper"/>.
		+
		+	Note: ''see [[Extra-Game Actions]] for actions that do not affect the game state of ongoing game instances.''

	=== Examples ===		=== Examples ===

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 A final reason for [[Excise]] occurs easily in [[Self-Facilitated Games]], especially if these make use of [[AI Players]], [[Game System Player]], detailed [[Game Worlds]], or large numbers of [[Units]].
 === Diegetic Aspects ===
@@ Line 90: / Line 92: @@
 [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]],
 [[Engrossment]],
 [[Freedom of Choice]],
 [[Game Masters]],

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 The first reason for [[Excise]] comes from having to manipulate game states for other reasons than actual gameplay actions. Handling complex or detailed [[Abstract Player Constructs]], [[Characters]], groups of [[Units]], or [[Persistent Game Worlds]] does so because specifics about them need to be found, described, or updated. [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], [[Game Servers]], and [[Game Masters]] can remove this, but of course the latter requires [[Excise]] from the [[Game Masters]] themselves ([[Entitled Players]] can spread the burden somewhat). Similarly [[Complex Gameplay]] can give rise to [[Excise]] because many game elements need to be manipulated (e.g. through [[Game Element Insertion]] or updating [[No-Use Bonus|No-Use Bonuses]]). More generally, any game with significant about of [[Gameplay Statistics]] that needs to be manually updated can cause [[Excise]].  For this reason, any game needing [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] can be said to have some [[Excise]] but having [[Resource Caps]] can limit this. While [[Current Player Tokens]] and [[First Player Tokens]] are examples of [[Bookkeeping Tokens]], they help players remember things they need to keep track of anyway and can thereby be seen to modulate rather than create [[Excise]]. The same goes for [[Character Sheets]], [[Inventories]], and [[Score Tracks]]. Loading and saving game states in [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] does produce some [[Excise]] related to manipulating game states but this is often not a problem unless players engage in [[Save Scumming]].
-Another reason for [[Excise]] comes from actions that are gameplay actions but can be perceived as meaningless or uninteresting to players. Given that [[Grinding]] is performing repetitive actions without significant challenges, any actions perceived as these can easily be perceived as [[Excise]]; this type of [[Excise]] can be removed through offering [[Purchasable Game Advantages]] or allowing [[Mules]] or [[Non-Player Help]]. More specifically applying brute force methods to find solutions to [[Puzzle Solving]] can be [[Excise]], as can conducting [[Movement]] across uneventful terrains. Having to move without [[Vehicles]] in [[Vehicle Sections]] being a prime example of this while introducing [[Vehicles]] can be a way of removing [[Excise]] for "normal" [[Movement]] (which can be noticed in games like the [[Battlefield series]]). [[Quick Returns]] and [[Quick Travel]] are other design patterns that can mitigate [[Excise]] related to [[Movement]]. While acquiring [[Loot]] in itself isn't necessarily [[Excise]] it can easily become this if players go through the motions of acquiring a lot of [[Loot]] simply to find some specific rare [[Loot]]. [[Drafting]] requires some [[Excise]] to swap game elements in synchronicity, and this becomes pronounced when there is no gameplay or choices involved (as for example occurs when dealing hands of [[Cards]] in many [[:Category:Card Games|Card Games]]. [[Zero-Player Games]] can be said to have made all gameplay into [[Excise]] but can still offer meaningful play to players through the [[Meta Games]] they can provide. Similarly, games with [[Action Programming]] but no actual choices for players when the ''inner'' gameplay occurs (as is for example the case in [[C-Robots]]) consist purely of [[Excise]] (although interesting choices exist outside the ''inner'' gameplay).
+Another reason for [[Excise]] comes from actions that are gameplay actions but can be perceived as meaningless or uninteresting to players. Given that [[Grinding]] is performing repetitive actions without significant challenges, any actions perceived as these can easily be perceived as [[Excise]]; this type of [[Excise]] can be removed through offering [[Purchasable Game Advantages]] or allowing [[Mules]] or [[Non-Player Help]]. More specifically applying brute force methods to find solutions to [[Puzzle Solving]] can be [[Excise]], as can conducting [[Movement]] across uneventful terrains. Having to move without [[Vehicles]] in [[Vehicle Sections]] being a prime example of this while introducing [[Vehicles]] can be a way of removing [[Excise]] for "normal" [[Movement]] (which can be noticed in games like the [[Battlefield series]]). [[Quick Returns]] and [[Quick Travel]] are other design patterns that can mitigate [[Excise]] related to [[Movement]]. While acquiring [[Loot]] in itself isn't necessarily [[Excise]] it can easily become this if players go through the motions of acquiring a lot of [[Loot]] simply to find some specific rare [[Loot]]. [[Drafting]] requires some [[Excise]] to swap game elements in synchronicity, and this becomes pronounced when there is no gameplay or choices involved (as for example occurs when dealing hands of [[Cards]] in many [[:Category:Card Games|Card Games]]. Rolling [[Dice]] is often not seen as [[Excise]] (since players' can have a sense of agency through shaking and rolling them) but [[Open-Ended Die Rolls]] can because they may make the creation of a result take several steps with evaluation between each step.
 A final reason for [[Excise]] occurs easily in [[Self-Facilitated Games]], especially if these make use of [[AI Players]], [[Game System Player]], detailed [[Game Worlds]], or large numbers of [[Units]].
@@ Line 50: / Line 52: @@
 [[Complex Gameplay]],
 [[Drafting]],
 [[Game Element Insertion]],
 [[Game Masters]],

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Patterns]]
 [[Category:Negative Patterns]]
 [[Category:Needs revision]]
 [[Category:Needs examples]]
 [[Category:Needs references]]
 [[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]]
 [[Category:Subjective Patterns]]
 [[Category:To be Published]]
 ''Ancillary actions necessary for gameplay but that do not contribute directly to gameplay.''
@@ Line 24: / Line 21: @@
 [[Excise]] is usually seen as a [[:Category:Negative Patterns|Negative Pattern]] which although unwanted occurs as a consequence of wanted design features. Thus, designing for [[Excise]] is typically aimed at minimizing the effects of it. The need for [[Excise]] can depend on many different design features. On the most general level, [[Optional Rules]] can introduce new [[Excise]] but also introduces it by making players need to choose which [[Optional Rules]] to use and keep track of this during gameplay. Also generally, the issue of [[Excise]] in games can be mitigated by having it interwoven with choices (i.e. [[Freedom of Choice]]) or allowing players to interaction socially while performing them (i.e. ensuring that the [[Excise]] has [[Minimalized Social Weight]]).
-The first reason for [[Excise]] comes from having to manipulate game states for other reasons than actual gameplay actions. Handling complex or detailed [[Abstract Player Constructs]], [[Characters]], groups of [[Units]], or [[Persistent Game Worlds]] does so because specifics about them need to be found, described, or updated. [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], [[Game Servers]], and [[Game Masters]] can remove this, but of course the latter requires [[Excise]] from the [[Game Masters]] themselves ([[Entitled Players]] can spread the burden somewhat). Similarly [[Complex Gameplay]] can give rise to [[Excise]] because many game elements need to be manipulated (e.g. through [[Game Element Insertion]] or updating [[No-Use Bonus|No-Use Bonuses]]). More generally, any game with significant about of [[Gameplay Statistics]] that needs to be manually updated can cause [[Excise]].  For this reason, any game needing [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] can be said to have some [[Excise]] but having [[Resource Caps]] can limite this. While [[Current Player Tokens]] and [[First Player Tokens]] are examples of [[Bookkeeping Tokens]], they help players remember things they need to keep track of anyway and can thereby be seen to modulate rather than create [[Excise]]. The same goes for [[Character Sheets]], [[Inventories]], and [[Score Tracks]]. Loading and saving game states in [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] does produce some [[Excise]] related to manipulating game states but this is often not a problem unless players engage in [[Save Scumming]].
+The first reason for [[Excise]] comes from having to manipulate game states for other reasons than actual gameplay actions. Handling complex or detailed [[Abstract Player Constructs]], [[Characters]], groups of [[Units]], or [[Persistent Game Worlds]] does so because specifics about them need to be found, described, or updated. [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], [[Game Servers]], and [[Game Masters]] can remove this, but of course the latter requires [[Excise]] from the [[Game Masters]] themselves ([[Entitled Players]] can spread the burden somewhat). Similarly [[Complex Gameplay]] can give rise to [[Excise]] because many game elements need to be manipulated (e.g. through [[Game Element Insertion]] or updating [[No-Use Bonus|No-Use Bonuses]]). More generally, any game with significant about of [[Gameplay Statistics]] that needs to be manually updated can cause [[Excise]].  For this reason, any game needing [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] can be said to have some [[Excise]] but having [[Resource Caps]] can limit this. While [[Current Player Tokens]] and [[First Player Tokens]] are examples of [[Bookkeeping Tokens]], they help players remember things they need to keep track of anyway and can thereby be seen to modulate rather than create [[Excise]]. The same goes for [[Character Sheets]], [[Inventories]], and [[Score Tracks]]. Loading and saving game states in [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] does produce some [[Excise]] related to manipulating game states but this is often not a problem unless players engage in [[Save Scumming]].
 Another reason for [[Excise]] comes from actions that are gameplay actions but can be perceived as meaningless or uninteresting to players. Given that [[Grinding]] is performing repetitive actions without significant challenges, any actions perceived as these can easily be perceived as [[Excise]]; this type of [[Excise]] can be removed through offering [[Purchasable Game Advantages]] or allowing [[Mules]] or [[Non-Player Help]]. More specifically applying brute force methods to find solutions to [[Puzzle Solving]] can be [[Excise]], as can conducting [[Movement]] across uneventful terrains. Having to move without [[Vehicles]] in [[Vehicle Sections]] being a prime example of this while introducing [[Vehicles]] can be a way of removing [[Excise]] for "normal" [[Movement]] (which can be noticed in games like the [[Battlefield series]]). [[Quick Returns]] and [[Quick Travel]] are other design patterns that can mitigate [[Excise]] related to [[Movement]]. While acquiring [[Loot]] in itself isn't necessarily [[Excise]] it can easily become this if players go through the motions of acquiring a lot of [[Loot]] simply to find some specific rare [[Loot]]. [[Drafting]] requires some [[Excise]] to swap game elements in synchronicity, and this becomes pronounced when there is no gameplay or choices involved (as for example occurs when dealing hands of [[Cards]] in many [[:Category:Card Games|Card Games]]. [[Zero-Player Games]] can be said to have made all gameplay into [[Excise]] but can still offer meaningful play to players through the [[Meta Games]] they can provide. Similarly, games with [[Action Programming]] but no actual choices for players when the ''inner'' gameplay occurs (as is for example the case in [[C-Robots]]) consist purely of [[Excise]] (although interesting choices exist outside the ''inner'' gameplay).

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 Most [[:Category:Board Games|Board Games]] and [[:Category:Roleplaying Games|Roleplaying Games]] require [[Excise]] since players need to manually keep track of the game state and update it as necessary. For [[:Category:Roleplaying Games|Roleplaying Games]], the game masters also have the task of describing the game worlds and the actions that take place within them.
-[[:Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games|Massively Multiplayer Online Games]] such as [[World of Warcraft]] or [[Eve Online]] often require players to do repetitive tasks for long times to gain certain resources. The same can be seen in [[Farmville]], the [[Elder Scroll series]], and the [[Fallout series]]. [[Excise]] can also be found when in games where players need to kill large numbers of monsters to acquire the right kind of loot; this can be found in the [[Elder Scroll series]], the [[Fallout series]], and [[Diablo series]].
+[[:Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games|Massively Multiplayer Online Games]] such as [[World of Warcraft]] or [[Eve Online]] often require players to do repetitive tasks for long times to gain certain resources. The same can be seen in [[Farmville]], the [[Elder Scrolls series]], and the [[Fallout series]]. [[Excise]] can also be found when in games where players need to kill large numbers of monsters to acquire the right kind of loot; this can be found in the [[Elder Scrolls series]], the [[Fallout series]], and [[Diablo series]].
 == Using the pattern ==

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 [[Excise]] is usually seen as a [[:Category:Negative Patterns|Negative Pattern]] which although unwanted occurs as a consequence of wanted design features. Thus, designing for [[Excise]] is typically aimed at minimizing the effects of it. The need for [[Excise]] can depend on many different design features. On the most general level, [[Optional Rules]] can introduce new [[Excise]] but also introduces it by making players need to choose which [[Optional Rules]] to use and keep track of this during gameplay. Also generally, the issue of [[Excise]] in games can be mitigated by having it interwoven with choices (i.e. [[Freedom of Choice]]) or allowing players to interaction socially while performing them (i.e. ensuring that the [[Excise]] has [[Minimalized Social Weight]]).
-The first reason for [[Excise]] comes from having to manipulate game states for other reasons than actual gameplay actions. Handling complex or detailed [[Abstract Player Constructs]], [[Characters]], groups of [[Units]], or [[Persistent Game Worlds]] does so because specifics about them need to be found, described, or updated. [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], [[Game Servers]], and [[Game Masters]] can remove this, but of course the latter requires [[Excise]] from the [[Game Masters]] themselves ([[Entitled Players]] can spread the burden somewhat). Similarly [[Complex Gameplay]] can give rise to [[Excise]] because many game elements need to be manipulated (e.g. through [[Game Element Insertion]] or updating [[No-Use Bonus|No-Use Bonuses]]). More generally, any game with significant about of [[Gameplay Statistics]] that needs to be manually updated can cause [[Excise]].  For this reason, any game needing [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] can be said to have some [[Excise]] but having [[Resource Caps]] can limite this. While [[Current Player Tokens]] and [[First Player Tokens]] are examples of [[Bookkeeping Tokens]], they help players remember things they need to keep track of anyway and can thereby be seen to modulate rather than create [[Excise]]. The same goes for [[Score Tracks]]. Loading and saving game states in [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] does produce some [[Excise]] related to manipulating game states but this is often not a problem unless players engage in [[Save Scumming]].
+The first reason for [[Excise]] comes from having to manipulate game states for other reasons than actual gameplay actions. Handling complex or detailed [[Abstract Player Constructs]], [[Characters]], groups of [[Units]], or [[Persistent Game Worlds]] does so because specifics about them need to be found, described, or updated. [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], [[Game Servers]], and [[Game Masters]] can remove this, but of course the latter requires [[Excise]] from the [[Game Masters]] themselves ([[Entitled Players]] can spread the burden somewhat). Similarly [[Complex Gameplay]] can give rise to [[Excise]] because many game elements need to be manipulated (e.g. through [[Game Element Insertion]] or updating [[No-Use Bonus|No-Use Bonuses]]). More generally, any game with significant about of [[Gameplay Statistics]] that needs to be manually updated can cause [[Excise]].  For this reason, any game needing [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] can be said to have some [[Excise]] but having [[Resource Caps]] can limite this. While [[Current Player Tokens]] and [[First Player Tokens]] are examples of [[Bookkeeping Tokens]], they help players remember things they need to keep track of anyway and can thereby be seen to modulate rather than create [[Excise]]. The same goes for [[Character Sheets]], [[Inventories]], and [[Score Tracks]]. Loading and saving game states in [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] does produce some [[Excise]] related to manipulating game states but this is often not a problem unless players engage in [[Save Scumming]].
 Another reason for [[Excise]] comes from actions that are gameplay actions but can be perceived as meaningless or uninteresting to players. Given that [[Grinding]] is performing repetitive actions without significant challenges, any actions perceived as these can easily be perceived as [[Excise]]; this type of [[Excise]] can be removed through offering [[Purchasable Game Advantages]] or allowing [[Mules]] or [[Non-Player Help]]. More specifically applying brute force methods to find solutions to [[Puzzle Solving]] can be [[Excise]], as can conducting [[Movement]] across uneventful terrains. Having to move without [[Vehicles]] in [[Vehicle Sections]] being a prime example of this while introducing [[Vehicles]] can be a way of removing [[Excise]] for "normal" [[Movement]] (which can be noticed in games like the [[Battlefield series]]). [[Quick Returns]] and [[Quick Travel]] are other design patterns that can mitigate [[Excise]] related to [[Movement]]. While acquiring [[Loot]] in itself isn't necessarily [[Excise]] it can easily become this if players go through the motions of acquiring a lot of [[Loot]] simply to find some specific rare [[Loot]]. [[Drafting]] requires some [[Excise]] to swap game elements in synchronicity, and this becomes pronounced when there is no gameplay or choices involved (as for example occurs when dealing hands of [[Cards]] in many [[:Category:Card Games|Card Games]]. [[Zero-Player Games]] can be said to have made all gameplay into [[Excise]] but can still offer meaningful play to players through the [[Meta Games]] they can provide. Similarly, games with [[Action Programming]] but no actual choices for players when the ''inner'' gameplay occurs (as is for example the case in [[C-Robots]]) consist purely of [[Excise]] (although interesting choices exist outside the ''inner'' gameplay).
@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 === Interface Aspects ===
-As also mentioned above, [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] are necessary design solutions that cause [[Excise]] in significantly complex games. However, they may be justified on their own for helping players keep track of things they anyway need to keep track of. Examples of this include [[Current Player Tokens]], [[First Player Tokens]], and [[Score Tracks]].
+As also mentioned above, [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] are necessary design solutions that cause [[Excise]] in significantly complex games. However, they may be justified on their own for helping players keep track of things they anyway need to keep track of. Examples of this include [[Character Sheets]], [[Current Player Tokens]], [[First Player Tokens]], [[Inventories]], and [[Score Tracks]].
 == Consequences ==
@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
 === Can Be Modulated By ===
 [[Current Player Tokens]],
 [[Entitled Players]],
 [[First Player Tokens]],
 [[Game Servers]],
 [[Score Tracks]]

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 [[Gameplay Statistics]],
 [[Grinding]],
 [[Movement]],
 [[No-Use Bonus]],

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 6 July 2016
Line 17:		Line 17:

	=== Examples ===		=== Examples ===
		+	Most [[:Category:Board Games\|Board Games]] and [[:Category:Roleplaying Games\|Roleplaying Games]] require [[Excise]] since players need to manually keep track of the game state and update it as necessary. For [[:Category:Roleplaying Games\|Roleplaying Games]], the game masters also have the task of describing the game worlds and the actions that take place within them.
		+
		+	[[:Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games]] such as [[World of Warcraft]] or [[Eve Online]] often require players to do repetitive tasks for long times to gain certain resources. The same can be seen in [[Farmville]], the [[Elder Scroll series]], and the [[Fallout series]]. [[Excise]] can also be found when in games where players need to kill large numbers of monsters to acquire the right kind of loot; this can be found in the [[Elder Scroll series]], the [[Fallout series]], and [[Diablo series]].

	== Using the pattern ==		== Using the pattern ==