Player-Defined Goals - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 14:07, 17 March 2018

2018-03-17T14:07:41Z

Staffan Björk at 19:36, 15 March 2018

2018-03-15T19:36:39Z

Staffan Björk at 19:34, 15 March 2018

2018-03-15T19:34:44Z

Staffan Björk: /* Examples */

2018-03-15T19:26:59Z

‎Examples

Staffan Björk at 19:22, 15 March 2018

2018-03-15T19:22:57Z

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2018-03-15T19:19:52Z

‎Using the pattern

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2018-03-15T19:13:35Z

‎Using the pattern

Staffan Björk: /* Relations */

2018-03-15T19:12:22Z

‎Relations

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2018-03-15T19:11:55Z

‎Using the pattern

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2018-03-15T19:09:15Z

‎Using the pattern

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 == Consequences ==
-[[Player-Defined Goals]] let players have [[Creative Control]] in games and can add [[Freedom of Choice]] regarding which goals are available. While any goal can provide [[Anticipation]] and [[Emotional Engrossment]], [[Player-Defined Goals]] have additional possibilities to do so because players can choose them to fit what they find most interesting as well as the fact that the goals can be perceived as ''their'' goals.
+[[Player-Defined Goals]] let players have [[Creative Control]] in games and can add [[Freedom of Choice]] regarding which goals are available. While any goal can provide [[Anticipation]] and [[Emotional Engrossment]], [[Player-Defined Goals]] have additional possibilities to do so because players can choose them to fit what they find most interesting as well as the fact that the goals can be perceived as ''their'' goals. If the goals can be changed during gameplay then the goals have [[Dynamic Goal Characteristics]] (and [[Player-Defined Goals]] supports this unless the game has a mechanized system in which players need define the goals in relation to the game state).
 The goals defined by players are typically [[Optional Goals]] and, in many cases, also [[Ephemeral Goals]]. When defined based on the existence of other players' goals they can inject [[Preventing Goals]] into a game and since players can add [[Rewards]] or [[Penalties]] outside the game system they can also provide [[Extra-Game Consequences]].
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 [[Anticipation]],
 [[Creative Control]],
 [[Emotional Engrossment]],
 [[Ephemeral Goals]],

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 [[Category:Subjective Patterns]]
 [[Category:Patterns]]
 [[Category:Needs revision]]
 [[Category:Needs references]]
 [[Category:To be Published]]
 ''Goals and subgoals that players can create or customize within a game.''
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 Games can provide support for defining the [[Player-Defined Goals]] so the game system can automatically detect successes and failure as well as applying [[Penalties]] or [[Rewards]]. However, this is not necessary for [[Player-Defined Goals]] to be part of a game design. In fact, players can add their own goals to any game so the pattern can exist in any game, and is for that reason a possible [[:Category:Subjective Patterns|Subjective Pattern]] in any game. However, it can be encouraged by providing players with information so they can see that certain series of actions and activities can result in specific outcomes and can therefore be potential [[Player-Defined Goals]]. These [[Player-Defined Goals]] can also [[Mutual Goals]] in that several players agree to have them; In contrast, goals that are both [[Mutual Goals|Mutual]] and [[Player-Defined Goals|Player-Defined]] and are created through game rules require players to engage in [[Negotiation]] &mdash; especially when a game forces players to create such goals.
-[[High Score Lists]] is an example of a pattern that can help players defined their own goals since it provides players with the information they need to set up a goal of their own (beating a certain score or getting onto the list). Likewise, a [[Game State Overview]] can provide players with sufficient information for them to create their own goals but in this case the overviews can also provides players with continuous information about how close their are to reaching their [[Player-Defined Goals]]. These two patterns help players create their own goals by providing them with information about the current or past game instances, other patterns support the creation of [[Player-Defined Goals]] through the actions they provide. Examples of such patterns include [[Betting]], [[Bidding]], [[Collecting]], and [[Construction]] (the latter when coupled with [[Creative Control]]). They do this by providing actions that relate to various game elements but in ways which make thinking of varying amount of these game elements, and this provides opportunities to create goals. Another type of encouragement for [[Player-Defined Goals]] comes through [[Player-Planned Development]]. Here the action of planned for future development is in principle setting up goals and while they are perhaps more restricted than the other type of examples they are still defined by players.
+[[High Score Lists]] is an example of a pattern that can help players defined their own goals since it provides players with the information they need to set up a goal of their own (beating a certain score or getting onto the list). Likewise, a [[Game State Overview]] can provide players with sufficient information for them to create their own goals but in this case the overviews can also provides players with continuous information about how close they are to reaching their [[Player-Defined Goals]]. These two patterns help players create their own goals by providing them with information about the current or past game instances, other patterns support the creation of [[Player-Defined Goals]] through the actions they provide. Examples of such patterns include [[Betting]], [[Bidding]], [[Collecting]], and [[Construction]] (the latter when coupled with [[Creative Control]]). They do this by providing actions that relate to various game elements but in ways which make thinking of varying amount of these game elements, and this provides opportunities to create goals. Another type of encouragement for [[Player-Defined Goals]] comes through [[Player-Planned Development]]. Here the action of planned for future development is in principle setting up goals and while they are perhaps more restricted than the other type of examples they are still defined by players.
 Other patterns typically do not conflict with [[Player-Defined Goals]]. Even [[Predefined Goals]] does not need to be a problem since they can form a basis upon which other [[Player-Defined Goals]] can be created. One of the few that can be seen as conflicting is [[Goal Indicators]] since these draw players' attention to [[Predefined Goals]] during gameplay and can therefore draw their attention away from defining goals of their own.
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 [[Player-Defined Goals]] let players have [[Creative Control]] in games and can add [[Freedom of Choice]] regarding which goals are available. While any goal can provide [[Anticipation]] and [[Emotional Engrossment]], [[Player-Defined Goals]] have additional possibilities to do so because players can choose them to fit what they find most interesting as well as the fact that the goals can be perceived as ''their'' goals.
-The goals defined by players are typically [[Optional Goals]] and in many cases also [[Ephemeral Goals]]. When defined based on the existence of other players' goals they can inject [[Preventing Goals]] into a game and since players can add [[Rewards]] or [[Penalties]] outside the game system they can also provide [[Extra-Game Consequences]].
+The goals defined by players are typically [[Optional Goals]] and, in many cases, also [[Ephemeral Goals]]. When defined based on the existence of other players' goals they can inject [[Preventing Goals]] into a game and since players can add [[Rewards]] or [[Penalties]] outside the game system they can also provide [[Extra-Game Consequences]].
 One effect of [[Player-Defined Goals]] is that they can allow players to have closures in [[Unwinnable Games]]. This can in practice let players have winning conditions for a game of their own built upon the game or can simply add structure to what otherwise may be perceived as one long continuous experience without variation.

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 [[Category:To be Published]]
 [[Category:Staffan's current workpage]]
-''The one-sentence "definition" that should be in italics.''
+''Goals and subgoals that players can create or customize within a game.''
-Goals and subgoals that players can create or customize within the game itself.
+Not all goals in games are created by game designers. Player can easily create their own goals in a game making use of possible game states and actions available to themselves, and thereby add [[Player-Defined Goals]] to any game. However, games can encourage this through their design and even have rules on how such goals can be set up as well as check when they have been completed (although this of course does not hinder players from adding other [[Player-Defined Goals]] that ignore these rules).
-Structured Player Defined Goals are possible by providing mechanics to let players determine the requirements, rewards, and punishments of the goals by having explicit game rules that govern these goals. By specifying the end conditions and evaluation functions within the game as conditions of the game state, these Player Defined Goals can then be monitored by the game system similarly to other goals.
 === Examples ===

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 [[Player-Defined Goals]] are employed generally in [[Diplomacy]] as players can set their own secret goals and strategies, but the impact of the patterns is more evident when some players agree to form (often secret) pacts against other players. However, the goals are only agreements between players and they are not explicitly stated in the game mechanics or rules.
-[[SimCity]] and most of the other Sim -games are good examples of games where Player Defined Goals are possible and also integral to the resulting gameplay. The gameplay is open as there are no winning conditions provided by the game itself and the game system is complex enough to allow huge amounts of different outcomes. The player is free to choose and pursue as a goal almost any possible game state from building the biggest city to making a strong police state to having fun in bulldozing the suburban areas when they are flourishing.
+The [[SimCity series]] and most of other [[:Category:Simulation Games|Simulation Games]] (for example [[Minecraft]]) are good examples of games where [[Player-Defined Goals]] are not only possible but also integral to the rewarding gameplay. This since the gameplay often is open to the point where there are no winning conditions and interacting with the games without your own goals easily becomes perceived as meaningless.
 == Using the pattern ==

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 Goals and subgoals that players can create or customize within the game itself.
 Structured Player Defined Goals are possible by providing mechanics to let players determine the requirements, rewards, and punishments of the goals by having explicit game rules that govern these goals. By specifying the end conditions and evaluation functions within the game as conditions of the game state, these Player Defined Goals can then be monitored by the game system similarly to other goals.
 === Examples ===
-==== Anti-Examples ====
+[[SimCity]] and most of the other Sim -games are good examples of games where Player Defined Goals are possible and also integral to the resulting gameplay. The gameplay is open as there are no winning conditions provided by the game itself and the game system is complex enough to allow huge amounts of different outcomes. The player is free to choose and pursue as a goal almost any possible game state from building the biggest city to making a strong police state to having fun in bulldozing the suburban areas when they are flourishing.
-optional
 == Using the pattern ==
 Games can provide support for defining the [[Player-Defined Goals]] so the game system can automatically detect successes and failure as well as applying [[Penalties]] or [[Rewards]]. However, this is not necessary for [[Player-Defined Goals]] to be part of a game design. In fact, players can add their own goals to any game so the pattern can exist in any game, and is for that reason a possible [[:Category:Subjective Patterns|Subjective Pattern]] in any game. However, it can be encouraged by providing players with information so they can see that certain series of actions and activities can result in specific outcomes and can therefore be potential [[Player-Defined Goals]]. These [[Player-Defined Goals]] can also [[Mutual Goals]] in that several players agree to have them; In contrast, goals that are both [[Mutual Goals|Mutual]] and [[Player-Defined Goals|Player-Defined]] and are created through game rules require players to engage in [[Negotiation]] &mdash; especially when a game forces players to create such goals.
 [[High Score Lists]] is an example of a pattern that can help players defined their own goals since it provides players with the information they need to set up a goal of their own (beating a certain score or getting onto the list). Likewise, a [[Game State Overview]] can provide players with sufficient information for them to create their own goals but in this case the overviews can also provides players with continuous information about how close their are to reaching their [[Player-Defined Goals]]. These two patterns help players create their own goals by providing them with information about the current or past game instances, other patterns support the creation of [[Player-Defined Goals]] through the actions they provide. Examples of such patterns include [[Betting]], [[Bidding]], [[Collecting]], and [[Construction]] (the latter when coupled with [[Creative Control]]). They do this by providing actions that relate to various game elements but in ways which make thinking of varying amount of these game elements, and this provides opportunities to create goals. Another type of encouragement for [[Player-Defined Goals]] comes through [[Player-Planned Development]]. Here the action of planned for future development is in principle setting up goals and while they are perhaps more restricted than the other type of examples they are still defined by players.
 Other patterns typically do not conflict with [[Player-Defined Goals]]. Even [[Predefined Goals]] does not need to be a problem since they can form a basis upon which other [[Player-Defined Goals]] can be created. One of the few that can be seen as conflicting is [[Goal Indicators]] since these draw players' attention to [[Predefined Goals]] during gameplay and can therefore draw their attention away from defining goals of their own.
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 === Can Be Modulated By ===
-[[Negotiation]],
+[[Negotiation]]
-[[Player Balance]]
 === Possible Closure Effects ===

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 Games can provide support for defining the [[Player-Defined Goals]] so the game system can automatically detect successes and failure as well as applying [[Penalties]] or [[Rewards]]. However, this is not necessary for [[Player-Defined Goals]] to be part of a game design. In fact, players can add their own goals to any game so the pattern can exist in any game, and is for that reason a possible [[:Category:Subjective Patterns|Subjective Pattern]] in any game. However, it can be encouraged by providing players with information so they can see that certain series of actions and activities can result in specific outcomes and can therefore be potential [[Player-Defined Goals]]. These [[Player-Defined Goals]] can also [[Mutual Goals]] in that several players agree to have them; In contrast, goals that are both [[Mutual Goals|Mutual]] and [[Player-Defined Goals|Player-Defined]] and are created through game rules require players to engage in [[Negotiation]] &mdash; especially when a game forces players to create such goals.
-[[High Score Lists]] is an example of a pattern that can help players defined their own goals since it provides players with the information they need to set up a goal of their own (beating a certain score or getting onto the list). A [[Game State Overview]]
+[[High Score Lists]] is an example of a pattern that can help players defined their own goals since it provides players with the information they need to set up a goal of their own (beating a certain score or getting onto the list). Likewise, a [[Game State Overview]] can provide players with sufficient information for them to create their own goals but in this case the overviews can also provides players with continuous information about how close their are to reaching their [[Player-Defined Goals]].
-−
 === Can Be Instantiated By ===