Privileged Abilities - Revision history

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2018-03-18T12:50:56Z

‎Using the pattern

Staffan Björk at 08:25, 11 September 2015

2015-09-11T08:25:41Z

Staffan Björk at 12:49, 7 September 2015

2015-09-07T12:49:26Z

Staffan Björk at 08:59, 7 September 2015

2015-09-07T08:59:16Z

Staffan Björk at 15:17, 8 August 2015

2015-08-08T15:17:05Z

Staffan Björk at 08:28, 8 August 2015

2015-08-08T08:28:03Z

Staffan Björk at 14:05, 4 August 2015

2015-08-04T14:05:53Z

Staffan Björk: /* with Teams */

2015-07-31T08:33:20Z

‎with Teams

Staffan Björk: /* with Multiplayer Games */

2015-07-31T08:32:31Z

‎with Multiplayer Games

Staffan Björk at 09:23, 14 July 2015

2015-07-14T09:23:43Z

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 The question of who has access to [[Privileged Abilities]] can be split into the questions of what [[Focus Loci]] provides the action and which players have access to the action. In games with [[Characters]], the [[Privileged Abilities]] can be tied to these and losing the [[Characters]] results in losing the [[Privileged Abilities]] as well, but when players play these instead of use them, i.e. [[Player Characters]], the [[Privileged Abilities]] may be used to make these exceptional. When using [[Avatars]] representing [[Characters]] as players' [[Focus Loci]], the [[Privileged Abilities]] can be represented by [[Skills]] to allow further modulation of the [[Abilities]]. Making [[Privileged Abilities]] depend on the access to [[Game Items]] (e.g. [[Equipment]], [[Tools]], and [[Weapons]]) can provide thematic explanations to introducing the [[Abilities]] during gameplay and can motivate [[Gain Ownership]] goals. [[Transferable Items]] and [[Units]] allow the [[Privileged Abilities]] to shift between players by different forms of [[Transfer of Control]], e. g., [[Stealing]] or doing certain kinds of [[Capture]] actions - [[Units]] can however also allow [[Privileged Abilities]] to create [[Competence Areas]] in [[Single-Player Games]]. For games with [[Role Selection]], the actions allowed by a role may or may not be [[Privileged Abilities]] depending on if other players are allowed to do the actions as well. However, if any players are allowed to perform the actions additional bonus [[Privileged Abilities]] may be given to the choosers of roles as a way of encouraging people to pick roles rather than rely on others to choose them. The possibility of [[Player-Planned Development]] affects [[Privileged Abilities]] in that players may specifically aims for these, but the patterns also have a reversed relation in that the presences of one or more potential [[Privileged Abilities]] can present important choices that need to be done as part of [[Player-Planned Development]].
-The effect of which player has the [[Privileged Abilities]] depends heavily upon whether the game involves [[Teams]]. If so, [[Privileged Abilities]] of players can be matched by the same [[Abilities]] in the other teams to create [[Team Balance]]. This makes the [[Teams]] have [[Symmetric Abilities]] while providing [[Asymmetric Abilities]] within the [[Teams]] and allows individual players to have game-controlled [[Competence Areas]] and thereby [[Functional Roles]]. In games without [[Teams]] but with [[Cooperation]], the pattern can also support [[Competence Areas]] (and [[Functional Roles]]), while in games with [[Conflicts]] it is more likely to affect [[Player Balance]].
+The effect of which player has the [[Privileged Abilities]] depends heavily upon whether the game involves [[Teams]]. If so, [[Privileged Abilities]] of players can be matched by the same [[Abilities]] in the other teams to create [[Team Balance]]. This makes it possible for [[Teams]] to have [[Symmetry]] while providing [[Asymmetric Abilities]] within the [[Teams]] and allows individual players to have game-controlled [[Competence Areas]] and thereby [[Functional Roles]]. In games without [[Teams]] but with [[Cooperation]], the pattern can also support [[Competence Areas]] (and [[Functional Roles]]), while in games with [[Conflicts]] it is more likely to affect [[Player Balance]].
 Possible effects on [[Player Balance]] by [[Privileged Abilities]] can be mitigated somewhat if they are part of the set of actions selectable by [[Budgeted Action Points]] or making them have [[Cooldown]] periods.

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 == Using the pattern ==
-[[Privileged Abilities]] are privileged due to some [[Agents]] have [[Abilities]] that others do not. This can be done in two ways: one is that other agents simply do not have the [[Abilities]] and the other is that one has [[Improved Abilities]] whose effects cannot easily be compensated by skillful play. In [[Multiplayer Games]], the other agents may be other players but the pattern can also be all types of games to differentiate between players' [[Abilities]] and that of [[Non-Player Characters]] or [[Enemies]]; this may include the [[NPCs]] having [[Abilities]] that players do not have. A particular case is that of a [[Game System Player]], these docile players typically have [[Privileged Abilities]] due to their role as more or less passive threats to the other players. [[Privileged Abilities]] may also be used to differentiate between ''ordinary'' [[Enemies]] and [[Boss Monsters]]. Games with [[Game Masters]] provide these with many [[Privileged Abilities]] since these can access and modify game states and [[Game Worlds]] in ways players cannot. [[Entitled Players]] do the same but limit these. Disregarding [[Entitled Players]] and [[Game Masters]], the design choices regarding [[Privileged Abilities]] can be divided into three main categories of which the two latter overlaps to a certain degree: the actual nature of the actions they provide, how the actions are made available, and which players have access to the actions.
+[[Privileged Abilities]] are privileged due to some [[Agents]] have [[Abilities]] that others do not. This can be done in two ways: one is that other agents simply do not have the [[Abilities]] and the other is that one has [[Improved Abilities]] whose effects cannot easily be compensated by skillful play. In [[Multiplayer Games]], the other agents may be other players but the pattern can also be all types of games to differentiate between players' [[Abilities]] and that of [[Non-Player Characters]] or [[Enemies]]; this may include the [[NPCs]] having [[Abilities]] that players do not have. A particular case is that of a [[Game System Player]], these docile players typically have [[Privileged Abilities]] due to their role as more or less passive threats to the other players. [[Privileged Abilities]] may also be used to differentiate between ''ordinary'' [[Enemies]] and [[Boss Monsters]]. Games with [[Game Masters]] provide these with many [[Privileged Abilities]] since these can access and modify game states and [[Game Worlds]] in ways players cannot. [[Entitled Players]] do the same but limit these. Disregarding [[Entitled Players]] and [[Game Masters]], the design choices regarding [[Privileged Abilities]] can be divided into three main categories of which the two latter overlaps to a certain degree: the actual nature of the actions they provide, how the actions are made available, and which players have access to the actions. Putting strict limits on the number of times [[Privileged Abilities]] can be used make them [[Non-Renewable Resources]].
 [[Privileged Abilities]] can take many different forms. [[Privileged Movement]] is a common example, which can include being able to ignore certain [[Zone of Control|Zones of Control]] or [[Obstacles]], enter [[Safe Havens]], use ''grappling hooks'', do special types of [[Jumping]] such as ''double jumps'' or ''wall jumps'' (both found in the [[Super Mario series]]), use [[Quick Returns]], drive [[Vehicles]], initiate [[Quick Travel]], being able to use or create [[Warp Zones]] (as Chell can do in the [[Portal series]]), or act as [[Spawn Points]] (as squad leaders in [[Battlefield 2]]). Giving players special actions in [[Combat]], such as [[Combos]], are also common. Others, somewhat more uncommon include [[Construction]], [[Crafting]], and other ways of creating or manipulating [[Resources]], especially when these means becoming a source of [[Renewable Resources]]; restoring [[Health]] can be considered an example of this. Being able to switch between different [[Vision Modes]] (as is possible in the [[Alien vs Predator series]] or [[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]) does not directly provide new actions but can hugely change how players perceive [[Game Worlds]] and what they can do within them. Activate or deactivating [[Alarms]] is an even more uncommon [[Privileged Abilities|Privileged Ability]] but when it exists often directly influences the overall gameplay. [[Trumps]] provide [[Privileged Abilities]] to a suit of [[Cards]] in games with [[Trick Taking]]. Games with [[Drawing Stacks]] are [[Discard Piles]] can have [[Privileged Abilities]] in letting players look through them, pick [[Cards]] or [[Tiles]] from any place within them, or take from the [[Discard Piles]] when in ordinary cases one should have taken from the [[Drawing Stacks]]. On a very general level, being allowed to treat actions as [[Interruptible Actions]], being able to reverse [[Irreversible Events]] or perform [[Game Time Manipulation]], being given [[Extra Chances]], having [[Open-Ended Die Rolls]], or the power to create [[Fudged Results]] are all examples of [[Privileged Abilities]]. In some cases, even the option of performing [[No-Op]] actions can be a [[Privileged Abilities|Privileged Ability]].
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 [[Budgeted Action Points]],
 [[Cooldown]],
 [[Player-Planned Development]],
 [[Technology Trees]],

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 [[Privileged Abilities]] are privileged due to some [[Agents]] have [[Abilities]] that others do not. This can be done in two ways: one is that other agents simply do not have the [[Abilities]] and the other is that one has [[Improved Abilities]] whose effects cannot easily be compensated by skillful play. In [[Multiplayer Games]], the other agents may be other players but the pattern can also be all types of games to differentiate between players' [[Abilities]] and that of [[Non-Player Characters]] or [[Enemies]]; this may include the [[NPCs]] having [[Abilities]] that players do not have. A particular case is that of a [[Game System Player]], these docile players typically have [[Privileged Abilities]] due to their role as more or less passive threats to the other players. [[Privileged Abilities]] may also be used to differentiate between ''ordinary'' [[Enemies]] and [[Boss Monsters]]. Games with [[Game Masters]] provide these with many [[Privileged Abilities]] since these can access and modify game states and [[Game Worlds]] in ways players cannot. [[Entitled Players]] do the same but limit these. Disregarding [[Entitled Players]] and [[Game Masters]], the design choices regarding [[Privileged Abilities]] can be divided into three main categories of which the two latter overlaps to a certain degree: the actual nature of the actions they provide, how the actions are made available, and which players have access to the actions.
-[[Privileged Abilities]] can take many different forms. [[Privileged Movement]] is a common example, which can include being able to ignore certain [[Zone of Control|Zones of Control]] or [[Obstacles]], enter [[Safe Havens]], use ''grappling hooks'', do special types of [[Jumping]] such as ''double jumps'' or ''wall jumps'' (both found in the [[Super Mario series]]), use [[Quick Returns]], drive [[Vehicles]], initiate [[Quick Travel]], being able to use or create [[Warp Zones]] (as Chell can do in the [[Portal series]]), or act as [[Spawn Points]] (as squad leaders in [[Battlefield 2]]). Giving players special actions in [[Combat]], such as [[Combos]], are also common. Others, somewhat more uncommon include [[Construction]], [[Crafting]], and other ways of creating or manipulating [[Resources]] - restoring [[Health]] can be considered an example of this. Being able to switch between different [[Vision Modes]] (as is possible in the [[Alien vs Predator series]] or [[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]) does not directly provide new actions but can hugely change how players perceive [[Game Worlds]] and what they can do within them. Activate or deactivating [[Alarms]] is an even more uncommon [[Privileged Abilities|Privileged Ability]] but when it exists often directly influences the overall gameplay. [[Trumps]] provide [[Privileged Abilities]] to a suit of [[Cards]] in games with [[Trick Taking]]. Games with [[Drawing Stacks]] are [[Discard Piles]] can have [[Privileged Abilities]] in letting players look through them, pick [[Cards]] or [[Tiles]] from any place within them, or take from the [[Discard Piles]] when in ordinary cases one should have taken from the [[Drawing Stacks]]. On a very general level, being allowed to treat actions as [[Interruptible Actions]], being able to reverse [[Irreversible Events]] or perform [[Game Time Manipulation]], being given [[Extra Chances]], having [[Open-Ended Die Rolls]], or the power to create [[Fudged Results]] are all examples of [[Privileged Abilities]]. In some cases, even the option of performing [[No-Op]] actions can be a [[Privileged Abilities|Privileged Ability]].
+[[Privileged Abilities]] can take many different forms. [[Privileged Movement]] is a common example, which can include being able to ignore certain [[Zone of Control|Zones of Control]] or [[Obstacles]], enter [[Safe Havens]], use ''grappling hooks'', do special types of [[Jumping]] such as ''double jumps'' or ''wall jumps'' (both found in the [[Super Mario series]]), use [[Quick Returns]], drive [[Vehicles]], initiate [[Quick Travel]], being able to use or create [[Warp Zones]] (as Chell can do in the [[Portal series]]), or act as [[Spawn Points]] (as squad leaders in [[Battlefield 2]]). Giving players special actions in [[Combat]], such as [[Combos]], are also common. Others, somewhat more uncommon include [[Construction]], [[Crafting]], and other ways of creating or manipulating [[Resources]], especially when these means becoming a source of [[Renewable Resources]]; restoring [[Health]] can be considered an example of this. Being able to switch between different [[Vision Modes]] (as is possible in the [[Alien vs Predator series]] or [[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]) does not directly provide new actions but can hugely change how players perceive [[Game Worlds]] and what they can do within them. Activate or deactivating [[Alarms]] is an even more uncommon [[Privileged Abilities|Privileged Ability]] but when it exists often directly influences the overall gameplay. [[Trumps]] provide [[Privileged Abilities]] to a suit of [[Cards]] in games with [[Trick Taking]]. Games with [[Drawing Stacks]] are [[Discard Piles]] can have [[Privileged Abilities]] in letting players look through them, pick [[Cards]] or [[Tiles]] from any place within them, or take from the [[Discard Piles]] when in ordinary cases one should have taken from the [[Drawing Stacks]]. On a very general level, being allowed to treat actions as [[Interruptible Actions]], being able to reverse [[Irreversible Events]] or perform [[Game Time Manipulation]], being given [[Extra Chances]], having [[Open-Ended Die Rolls]], or the power to create [[Fudged Results]] are all examples of [[Privileged Abilities]]. In some cases, even the option of performing [[No-Op]] actions can be a [[Privileged Abilities|Privileged Ability]].
 Some [[Privileged Abilities]], for example being in control of [[Player-Decided Distributions]] of [[Rewards]] and [[Penalties]], are not direct actions during gameplay but rather let players affect the evaluation functions of a game. [[Privileged Abilities]] can also be passive, in which case they do not give players new actions they can perform but rather let them do actions they already have in situations where other could not do them. The most common of this type of [[Privileged Abilities]] is probably to have lessened effects or complete [[Invulnerabilities]] to [[Penalties]] or [[Environmental Effects]] such as [[Damage]] ([[Team Fortress 2]] shows how [[Invulnerabilities]] can be temporarily given to combatants without unbalancing the game as a whole through allowing medics to activate ''übercharges'').
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 [[Player Balance]],
 [[Predetermined Story Structures]],
 [[Safe Havens]],
 [[Strategic Planning]],

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 Some [[Privileged Abilities]], for example being in control of [[Player-Decided Distributions]] of [[Rewards]] and [[Penalties]], are not direct actions during gameplay but rather let players affect the evaluation functions of a game. [[Privileged Abilities]] can also be passive, in which case they do not give players new actions they can perform but rather let them do actions they already have in situations where other could not do them. The most common of this type of [[Privileged Abilities]] is probably to have lessened effects or complete [[Invulnerabilities]] to [[Penalties]] or [[Environmental Effects]] such as [[Damage]] ([[Team Fortress 2]] shows how [[Invulnerabilities]] can be temporarily given to combatants without unbalancing the game as a whole through allowing medics to activate ''übercharges'').
-Certain [[Privileged Abilities]] relate to the availability of information: being allowed to look at another players' [[Hands]] or having [[Units]] with less [[Fog of War]] or different [[Line of Sight]] rules than other [[Units]] for example. Another example of information-related [[Privileged Abilities]] are those that provide ways of viewing [[Game Worlds]] so that some game elements become [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] (the ''eagle vision'' in the [[Assassin's Creed series]] is an example of this). These [[Abilities]] may be designed to be either active in the sense that getting the information is a gameplay action or passive in that they can always be accessed and mainly affect how players can perform other actions.
+Certain [[Privileged Abilities]] relate to the availability of information: having knowledge about [[Secret Resources]], being allowed to look at another players' [[Hands]] or having [[Units]] with less [[Fog of War]] or different [[Line of Sight]] rules than other [[Units]] for example. Another example of information-related [[Privileged Abilities]] are those that provide ways of viewing [[Game Worlds]] so that some game elements become [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] (the ''eagle vision'' in the [[Assassin's Creed series]] is an example of this). These [[Abilities]] may be designed to be either active in the sense that getting the information is a gameplay action or passive in that they can always be accessed and mainly affect how players can perform other actions.
 [[Privileged Abilities]] can either be present at the beginning of gameplay or made available as [[New Abilities|New]] or [[Improved Abilities]] (e.g. through [[Unlocking]] them or [[Alien Space Bats]]). Entering [[Chargers]], [[Controllers]], [[Environmental Effects]], or [[Installations]], or taking [[Power-Ups]] can give or modify these [[Abilities]] while in their vicinity, while having [[Territories]] with [[Location-Fixed Abilities]], or simply [[Area Control]] of such [[Abilities]] can be another form of [[Privileged Abilities]] if the [[Abilities]] are not provided in many locations. In this case, the activation of [[Privileged Abilities]] is tied to specific locations in games and gaining the [[Privileged Abilities]] can become a question of knowing [[Strategic Locations]]. While [[Companions]] may have their own [[Privileged Abilities]], some games (e.g. the [[Fallout series]]) gives players extra [[Rewards]] for acquiring [[Companions]] in the form of [[Companions|Companion]]-specific [[Privileged Abilities]]. [[Helpers]] with less agency than [[Companions]] do not have their own [[Privileged Abilities]] but can provide players with [[Privileged Abilities]] through offering services. As the effects of [[Power-Ups]] usually are under [[Time Limits]], the effects they have on [[Player Balance]] can more easily be controlled than for other types of [[Privileged Abilities]]. It is quite common in [[:Category:Strategy Games|Strategy Games]] such as the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]] to provide (temporary) [[Privileged Abilities]] by [[Unlocking]] specific parts of [[Technology Trees]]. Becoming [[Neighbors]] is a requirement for making the [[Privileged Abilities]] often found in [[Massively Single-Player Online Games]] which allow players to make [[Altruistic Actions]] in other players' [[Private Game Spaces]]. [[Privileged Abilities]] may also appear due to [[Penalties]] inflicted on other players that take away [[Abilities]] from them; the effect of losing your knights in [[Chess]] while your opponent still has them can be seen as your opponent having the [[Privileged Abilities]] of making knights move. A specific form of [[Privileged Abilities]] found only in [[Multiplayer Games]] is the [[Abilities]] to be able to relieve other players' from their state of [[Helplessness]]. [[Sanctioned Cheating]] is a special case where the players - sometimes at a potential risk - can give themselves [[Privileged Abilities]] through performing actions that are seen as at least somewhat doubtful.
@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 [[Player-Planned Development]],
 [[Role Selection]],
 [[Self-Facilitated Games]],
 [[Teams]],

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 [[Privileged Abilities]] can take many different forms. [[Privileged Movement]] is a common example, which can include being able to ignore certain [[Zone of Control|Zones of Control]] or [[Obstacles]], enter [[Safe Havens]], use ''grappling hooks'', do special types of [[Jumping]] such as ''double jumps'' or ''wall jumps'' (both found in the [[Super Mario series]]), use [[Quick Returns]], drive [[Vehicles]], initiate [[Quick Travel]], being able to use or create [[Warp Zones]] (as Chell can do in the [[Portal series]]), or act as [[Spawn Points]] (as squad leaders in [[Battlefield 2]]). Giving players special actions in [[Combat]], such as [[Combos]], are also common. Others, somewhat more uncommon include [[Construction]], [[Crafting]], and other ways of creating or manipulating [[Resources]] - restoring [[Health]] can be considered an example of this. Being able to switch between different [[Vision Modes]] (as is possible in the [[Alien vs Predator series]] or [[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]) does not directly provide new actions but can hugely change how players perceive [[Game Worlds]] and what they can do within them. Activate or deactivating [[Alarms]] is an even more uncommon [[Privileged Abilities|Privileged Ability]] but when it exists often directly influences the overall gameplay. [[Trumps]] provide [[Privileged Abilities]] to a suit of [[Cards]] in games with [[Trick Taking]]. Games with [[Drawing Stacks]] are [[Discard Piles]] can have [[Privileged Abilities]] in letting players look through them, pick [[Cards]] or [[Tiles]] from any place within them, or take from the [[Discard Piles]] when in ordinary cases one should have taken from the [[Drawing Stacks]]. On a very general level, being allowed to treat actions as [[Interruptible Actions]], being able to reverse [[Irreversible Events]] or perform [[Game Time Manipulation]], being given [[Extra Chances]], having [[Open-Ended Die Rolls]], or the power to create [[Fudged Results]] are all examples of [[Privileged Abilities]]. In some cases, even the option of performing [[No-Op]] actions can be a [[Privileged Abilities|Privileged Ability]].
-Some [[Privileged Abilities]], for example being in control of [[Player-Decided Distribution of Rewards & Penalties]], are not direct actions during gameplay but rather let players affect the evaluation functions of a game. [[Privileged Abilities]] can also be passive, in which case they do not give players new actions they can perform but rather let them do actions they already have in situations where other could not do them. The most common of this type of [[Privileged Abilities]] is probably to have lessened effects or complete [[Invulnerabilities]] to [[Penalties]] or [[Environmental Effects]] such as [[Damage]] ([[Team Fortress 2]] shows how [[Invulnerabilities]] can be temporarily given to combatants without unbalancing the game as a whole through allowing medics to activate ''übercharges'').
+Some [[Privileged Abilities]], for example being in control of [[Player-Decided Distributions]] of [[Rewards]] and [[Penalties]], are not direct actions during gameplay but rather let players affect the evaluation functions of a game. [[Privileged Abilities]] can also be passive, in which case they do not give players new actions they can perform but rather let them do actions they already have in situations where other could not do them. The most common of this type of [[Privileged Abilities]] is probably to have lessened effects or complete [[Invulnerabilities]] to [[Penalties]] or [[Environmental Effects]] such as [[Damage]] ([[Team Fortress 2]] shows how [[Invulnerabilities]] can be temporarily given to combatants without unbalancing the game as a whole through allowing medics to activate ''übercharges'').
 Certain [[Privileged Abilities]] relate to the availability of information: being allowed to look at another players' [[Hands]] or having [[Units]] with less [[Fog of War]] or different [[Line of Sight]] rules than other [[Units]] for example. Another example of information-related [[Privileged Abilities]] are those that provide ways of viewing [[Game Worlds]] so that some game elements become [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] (the ''eagle vision'' in the [[Assassin's Creed series]] is an example of this). These [[Abilities]] may be designed to be either active in the sense that getting the information is a gameplay action or passive in that they can always be accessed and mainly affect how players can perform other actions.
@@ Line 138: / Line 138: @@
 [[No-Op]],
 [[Open-Ended Die Rolls]],
-[[Player-Decided Distribution of Rewards & Penalties]],
+[[Player-Decided Distributions]],
 [[Privileged Movement]],
 [[Quick Returns]],

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 [[Boss Monsters]]
-==== with [[Teams]] ====
+==== with [[Multiplayer Games]] or [[Teams]] ====
 [[Team Combos]]