Game State Indicators - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 12:04, 17 July 2016

2016-07-17T12:04:38Z

Staffan Björk at 11:13, 17 July 2016

2016-07-17T11:13:27Z

Staffan Björk at 16:58, 8 July 2016

2016-07-08T16:58:17Z

Staffan Björk at 17:49, 28 January 2015

2015-01-28T17:49:36Z

Staffan Björk at 09:34, 14 January 2015

2015-01-14T09:34:11Z

Staffan Björk at 20:38, 21 July 2014

2014-07-21T20:38:23Z

Staffan Björk at 18:37, 18 July 2014

2014-07-18T18:37:28Z

Staffan Björk at 08:10, 1 November 2012

2012-11-01T08:10:46Z

Staffan Björk at 13:50, 13 October 2011

2011-10-13T13:50:42Z

Staffan Björk at 10:55, 17 September 2011

2011-09-17T10:55:27Z

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 == Using the pattern ==
-[[Game State Indicators]] are an option to [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] for providing information about the game state. They can be [[Progress Indicators]] or not, both depending on that they may not always indicate progression and that [[Progress Indicators]] can be designed  to be diegetic.
+[[Game State Indicators]] are an option to [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] for providing information about the game state. They can be created through [[Progress Indicators]] or not, both depending on that they may not always indicate progression and that [[Progress Indicators]] can be designed to be diegetic. Similarly, they can be created through [[Outcome Indicators]] as outcome in gameplay is defined through changes in the game state.
 When considering what information to provide with [[Game State Indicators]], there is a difference between showing information that a player's [[Avatars|Avatar]] or [[Units]] would be able to detect and those otherwise impossible to detect. The first alternative can cover problems with the interface presentation not being detailed enough (as for example the ''Light Gem'' in the [[Thief series]] showing how hidden the player's [[Avatars|Avatar]] is) while the other can be used to provide [[Game State Overviews]]. Another case when diegetic presentations may be enough is when [[Characters]] are sufficiently complex, in these cases [[Game State Indicators]] can augment the presentations of [[Avatars]]. Those providing information not tied to players' diegetic [[Focus Loci]] instead offer possibilities to create [[Game State Overviews]]. Some information related to the game state may ''require'' [[Game State Indicators]] since it does not per se belong to a [[Game Worlds|Game World]] - the most common example of this is the need to highlight selected [[Avatars]] or [[Units]] (see for example the use of the green marker [[Sims series]] and the highlighting used in the [[Command and Conquer series]]). A second common case of extra-game information needed to be shown within the game is who is controlling a certain [[Avatars|Avatar]] (including if it is a human or not for games with [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] support). This is typically solved through the use of [[Handles]] floating above [[Avatars]], and text-based [[Dialogues]] between players are sometimes displayed this way as well (one example is [[World of Warcraft]]).
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 Examples of [[Game State Indicators]] existing outside the representations of [[Game Worlds]] include [[Repeat Combos]], [[HUD Interfaces]] and [[Mini-maps]], that latter which at least provides partial [[Game State Overviews]]. MUDs like [[Kingdoms]] and [[DragonMud]] as well as the interface API of [[World of Warcraft]] allow players to create their own [[Game State Indicators]] outside the diegetic representations through the use of [[Modifiable Game Interfaces]].
-Common types of information shown by [[Game State Indicators]] include [[Scores|Score]] values (e.g. through [[Score Tracks]]), [[Cooldown]] and enforced [[No-Ops]], amount of [[Damage]] received or [[Health]] remaining, remaining number of [[Lives]],
+Common types of information shown by [[Game State Indicators]] include [[Scores|Score]] values (e.g. through [[Score Tracks]]), [[Cooldown]] and enforced [[No-Ops]], amount of [[Damage]] received or [[Health]] remaining, remaining number of [[Lives]], or [[Budgeted Action Points]], other players' progress in [[Collaborative Actions]], time spent on an [[Extended Actions|Extended Action]] or that remaining of a [[Time Limits|Time Limit]] (especially for games with [[Time Limited Game Instances]]), and the position or identity of [[Focus Loci]] in the [[Game Worlds|Game World]] or in a [[Race]]. [[Game State Indicators]] are common for [[Temporary Abilities]] since they are either bounded by [[Time Limits]] or have a [[Limited Number of Uses]] that need to be displayed. However, [[Game State Indicators]] may also help provide [[Smooth Learning Curves]] and judge [[Risk/Reward]] situations for goals such as [[Capture]]. However, [[Scores|Score]] values may also be regarded as [[Progress Indicators]] in cases where one cannot lose points or when one is striving towards a fixed number. Similarly, in [[Races]] [[Game State Indicators]] are usually used together with [[Progress Indicators]] so players can know both the relative positions between players and how close they are to finishing the Race. [[Game State Indicators]] can more generally be used to make sure players to not miss [[Ephemeral Events]] which the game system can detect.
 or [[Budgeted Action Points]], other players' progress in [[Collaborative Actions]], time spent on an [[Extended Actions|Extended Action]] or that remaining of a [[Time Limits|Time Limit]] (especially for games with [[Time Limited Game Instances]]), and the position or identity of [[Focus Loci]] in the [[Game Worlds|Game World]] or in a [[Race]]. [[Game State Indicators]] are common for [[Temporary Abilities]] since they are either bounded by [[Time Limits]] or have a [[Limited Number of Uses]] that need to be displayed. However, [[Game State Indicators]] may also help provide [[Smooth Learning Curves]] and judge [[Risk/Reward]] situations for goals such as [[Capture]]. However, [[Scores|Score]] values may also be regarded as [[Progress Indicators]] in cases where one cannot lose points or when one is striving towards a fixed number. Similarly, in [[Races]] [[Game State Indicators]] are usually used together with [[Progress Indicators]] so players can know both the relative positions between players and how close they are to finishing the Race. [[Game State Indicators]] can more generally be used to make sure players to not miss [[Ephemeral Events]] which the game system can detect.
 [[Game State Indicators]] are most easily provided in games with [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] since they otherwise cause [[Excise]] for players and designs may function more like [[Bookkeeping Tokens]].
@@ Line 73: / Line 72: @@
 [[Drawing Stacks]],
 [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], [[Handles]], [[HUD Interfaces]], [[Mini-maps]], [[Modifiable Game Interfaces]],
 [[Progress Indicators]],
 [[Repeat Combos]],

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 Examples of [[Game State Indicators]] existing outside the representations of [[Game Worlds]] include [[Repeat Combos]], [[HUD Interfaces]] and [[Mini-maps]], that latter which at least provides partial [[Game State Overviews]]. MUDs like [[Kingdoms]] and [[DragonMud]] as well as the interface API of [[World of Warcraft]] allow players to create their own [[Game State Indicators]] outside the diegetic representations through the use of [[Modifiable Game Interfaces]].
-Common types of information shown by [[Game State Indicators]] include [[Scores|Score]] values, [[Cooldown]] and enforced [[No-Ops]], amount of [[Damage]] received or [[Health]] remaining, remaining number of [[Lives]],
+Common types of information shown by [[Game State Indicators]] include [[Scores|Score]] values (e.g. through [[Score Tracks]]), [[Cooldown]] and enforced [[No-Ops]], amount of [[Damage]] received or [[Health]] remaining, remaining number of [[Lives]],
 or [[Budgeted Action Points]], other players' progress in [[Collaborative Actions]], time spent on an [[Extended Actions|Extended Action]] or that remaining of a [[Time Limits|Time Limit]] (especially for games with [[Time Limited Game Instances]]), and the position or identity of [[Focus Loci]] in the [[Game Worlds|Game World]] or in a [[Race]]. [[Game State Indicators]] are common for [[Temporary Abilities]] since they are either bounded by [[Time Limits]] or have a [[Limited Number of Uses]] that need to be displayed. However, [[Game State Indicators]] may also help provide [[Smooth Learning Curves]] and judge [[Risk/Reward]] situations for goals such as [[Capture]]. However, [[Scores|Score]] values may also be regarded as [[Progress Indicators]] in cases where one cannot lose points or when one is striving towards a fixed number. Similarly, in [[Races]] [[Game State Indicators]] are usually used together with [[Progress Indicators]] so players can know both the relative positions between players and how close they are to finishing the Race. [[Game State Indicators]] can more generally be used to make sure players to not miss [[Ephemeral Events]] which the game system can detect.
@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], [[Handles]], [[HUD Interfaces]], [[Mini-maps]], [[Modifiable Game Interfaces]],
 [[Progress Indicators]],
-[[Repeat Combos]]
+[[Repeat Combos]],
 === Can Be Modulated By ===

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 == Using the pattern ==
-[[Game State Indicators]] are an option to [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] for providing information about the game state. When considering what information to provide with [[Game State Indicators]], there is a difference between showing information that a player's [[Avatars|Avatar]] or [[Units]] would be able to detect and those otherwise impossible to detect. The first alternative can cover problems with the interface presentation not being detailed enough (as for example the ''Light Gem'' in the [[Thief series]] showing how hidden the player's [[Avatars|Avatar]] is) while the other can be used to provide [[Game State Overviews]]. Another case when diegetic presentations may be enough is when [[Characters]] are sufficiently complex, in these cases [[Game State Indicators]] can augment the presentations of [[Avatars]]. Those providing information not tied to players' diegetic [[Focus Loci]] instead offer possibilities to create [[Game State Overviews]]. Some information related to the game state may ''require'' [[Game State Indicators]] since it does not per se belong to a [[Game Worlds|Game World]] - the most common example of this is the need to highlight selected [[Avatars]] or [[Units]] (see for example the use of the green marker [[Sims series]] and the highlighting used in the [[Command and Conquer series]]). A second common case of extra-game information needed to be shown within the game is who is controlling a certain [[Avatars|Avatar]] (including if it is a human or not for games with [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] support). This is typically solved through the use of [[Handles]] floating above [[Avatars]], and text-based [[Dialogues]] between players are sometimes displayed this way as well (one example is [[World of Warcraft]]).
+[[Game State Indicators]] are an option to [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] for providing information about the game state. They can be [[Progress Indicators]] or not, both depending on that they may not always indicate progression and that [[Progress Indicators]] can be designed  to be diegetic.
 Another aspect to consider is if the [[Game State Indicators]] should exist inside the [[Game Worlds]] or as part of interfaces outside them. [[Geospatial Game Widgets]] exist inside the [[Game Worlds]] and are often [[Non-Diegetic Features]] since they do not diegetically fit in. They can be especially suitable for supporting [[Coordination]]. Examples of these include the glowing outline of the [[Avatars]] in the [[Left 4 Dead series]] and the raid target icons in [[World of Warcraft]], the latter placeable by the player designated to be raid leader.
@@ Line 71: / Line 73: @@
 [[Drawing Stacks]],
 [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], [[Handles]], [[HUD Interfaces]], [[Mini-maps]], [[Modifiable Game Interfaces]],
 [[Repeat Combos]]

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 [[Game State Indicators]] change [[Game Worlds]] in the sense that they allow players to perceive more of them than would otherwise be possible. This allows them to provide information about the game state that while not being diegetic can help players be informed about the game state in games with [[Complex Gameplay]]. Like most other forms of indicators, [[Game State Indicators]] provide ways for game designers to give players [[Direct Information]] about the game state. [[Game State Indicators]] are more attention grabbing than other forms of indicators since the information they usually represent can change quicker and in more ways than with other indicators, and can thereby quickly cause [[Tension]] by, for example, making players more aware of [[Time Limits]] and [[Time Pressure]]. Even so, they can modulate, or make unnecessary, the need for players to do [[Memorizing]] of gameplay details specific for individual game sessions. [[Game State Indicators]] can make for easier gameplay in games with [[Stealth]] goals when they provide information about how close to being detected players are.
-Since [[Game State Indicators]] help players plan by providing them with more information, their presence can help support [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] when this is based on [[Tactical Planning]]. If the [[Game State Indicators]] provide information about other players' progress in some aspect of gameplay, this can create [[Races]] between the players.
+Since [[Game State Indicators]] help players plan by providing them with more information, their presence can help support [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] when this is based on [[Tactical Planning]]. If the [[Game State Indicators]] provide information about other players' progress in some aspect of gameplay, this can create [[Races]] between the players. The increased amount of information provided by [[Game State Indicators]] can however work against [[Uncertainty of Information]] in a game.
 Besides [[Handles]], a special type of [[Game State Indicators]] is those that show [[Game-Based Social Statuses]]. These do not necessarily give information about the game state but can be important for maintaining [[Social Organizations]] within game sessions or based upon the games.
@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 === Potentially Conflicting With ===
 [[Diegetic Consistency]],
-[[Memorizing]]
+[[Memorizing]],
 == History ==

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 == Consequences ==
-[[Game State Indicators]] change [[Game Worlds]] in the sense that they allow players to perceive more of them than would otherwise be possible. Like most other forms of indicators, [[Game State Indicators]] provide ways for game designers to give players [[Direct Information]] about the game state. [[Game State Indicators]] are more attention grabbing than other forms of indicators since the information they usually represent can change quicker and in more ways than with other indicators, and can thereby quickly cause [[Tension]] by, for example, making players more aware of [[Time Limits]] and [[Time Pressure]]. Even so, they can modulate, or make unnecessary, the need for players to do [[Memorizing]] of gameplay details specific for individual game sessions. [[Game State Indicators]] can make for easier gameplay in games with [[Stealth]] goals when they provide information about how close to being detected players are.
+[[Game State Indicators]] change [[Game Worlds]] in the sense that they allow players to perceive more of them than would otherwise be possible. This allows them to provide information about the game state that while not being diegetic can help players be informed about the game state in games with [[Complex Gameplay]]. Like most other forms of indicators, [[Game State Indicators]] provide ways for game designers to give players [[Direct Information]] about the game state. [[Game State Indicators]] are more attention grabbing than other forms of indicators since the information they usually represent can change quicker and in more ways than with other indicators, and can thereby quickly cause [[Tension]] by, for example, making players more aware of [[Time Limits]] and [[Time Pressure]]. Even so, they can modulate, or make unnecessary, the need for players to do [[Memorizing]] of gameplay details specific for individual game sessions. [[Game State Indicators]] can make for easier gameplay in games with [[Stealth]] goals when they provide information about how close to being detected players are.
 Since [[Game State Indicators]] help players plan by providing them with more information, their presence can help support [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] when this is based on [[Tactical Planning]]. If the [[Game State Indicators]] provide information about other players' progress in some aspect of gameplay, this can create [[Races]] between the players.
@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 === Can Modulate ===
 [[Avatars]], [[Budgeted Action Points]], [[Capture]], [[Characters]], [[Collaborative Actions]],
 [[Cooldown]],
 [[Damage]], [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]], [[Extended Actions]], [[Ephemeral Events]], [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], [[Focus Loci]],

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 [[Game State Indicators]] are an option to [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] for providing information about the game state. When considering what information to provide with [[Game State Indicators]], there is a difference between showing information that a player's [[Avatars|Avatar]] or [[Units]] would be able to detect and those otherwise impossible to detect. The first alternative can cover problems with the interface presentation not being detailed enough (as for example the ''Light Gem'' in the [[Thief series]] showing how hidden the player's [[Avatars|Avatar]] is) while the other can be used to provide [[Game State Overviews]]. Another case when diegetic presentations may be enough is when [[Characters]] are sufficiently complex, in these cases [[Game State Indicators]] can augment the presentations of [[Avatars]]. Those providing information not tied to players' diegetic [[Focus Loci]] instead offer possibilities to create [[Game State Overviews]]. Some information related to the game state may ''require'' [[Game State Indicators]] since it does not per se belong to a [[Game Worlds|Game World]] - the most common example of this is the need to highlight selected [[Avatars]] or [[Units]] (see for example the use of the green marker [[Sims series]] and the highlighting used in the [[Command and Conquer series]]). A second common case of extra-game information needed to be shown within the game is who is controlling a certain [[Avatars|Avatar]] (including if it is a human or not for games with [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] support). This is typically solved through the use of [[Handles]] floating above [[Avatars]], and text-based [[Dialogues]] between players are sometimes displayed this way as well (one example is [[World of Warcraft]]).
-Another aspect to consider is if the [[Game State Indicators]] should exist inside the [[Game Worlds]] or as part of interfaces outside them. [[Geospatial Game Widgets]] exist inside the [[Game Worlds]] and are often [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] since they do not diegetically fit in. They can be especially suitable for supporting [[Coordination]]. Examples of these include the glowing outline of the [[Avatars]] in the [[Left 4 Dead series]] and the raid target icons in [[World of Warcraft]], the latter placeable by the player designated to be raid leader.
+Another aspect to consider is if the [[Game State Indicators]] should exist inside the [[Game Worlds]] or as part of interfaces outside them. [[Geospatial Game Widgets]] exist inside the [[Game Worlds]] and are often [[Non-Diegetic Features]] since they do not diegetically fit in. They can be especially suitable for supporting [[Coordination]]. Examples of these include the glowing outline of the [[Avatars]] in the [[Left 4 Dead series]] and the raid target icons in [[World of Warcraft]], the latter placeable by the player designated to be raid leader.
 Examples of [[Game State Indicators]] existing outside the representations of [[Game Worlds]] include [[Repeat Combos]], [[HUD Interfaces]] and [[Mini-maps]], that latter which at least provides partial [[Game State Overviews]]. MUDs like [[Kingdoms]] and [[DragonMud]] as well as the interface API of [[World of Warcraft]] allow players to create their own [[Game State Indicators]] outside the diegetic representations through the use of [[Modifiable Game Interfaces]].
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 === Diegetic Aspects ===
-Providing information about the game state or [[Game Worlds|Game World]] in non-diegetic ways of course risks breaking [[Diegetic Consistency]], especially since they often are [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]]. Explaining the information diegetically can however lessen the impact of the [[Game State Indicators]] and avoid losing [[Narrative Engrossment]] if that is striven for.
+Providing information about the game state or [[Game Worlds|Game World]] in non-diegetic ways of course risks breaking [[Diegetic Consistency]], especially since they often are [[Non-Diegetic Features]]. Explaining the information diegetically can however lessen the impact of the [[Game State Indicators]] and avoid losing [[Narrative Engrossment]] if that is striven for.
 === Interface Aspects ===
@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 == Relations ==
 === Can Instantiate ===
-[[Coordination]], [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]], [[Direct Information]], [[Game-Based Social Statuses]],
+[[Coordination]], [[Non-Diegetic Features]], [[Direct Information]], [[Game-Based Social Statuses]],
 [[Game State Overviews]],
 [[Races]],
@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 === Can Be Modulated By ===
-[[Diegetically Outstanding Features]]
+[[Non-Diegetic Features]]
 === Possible Closure Effects ===