Races - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 07:50, 27 September 2016

2016-09-27T07:50:23Z

Staffan Björk at 09:06, 21 September 2016

2016-09-21T09:06:09Z

Staffan Björk at 08:51, 4 September 2016

2016-09-04T08:51:22Z

Staffan Björk at 19:57, 9 August 2016

2016-08-09T19:57:58Z

Staffan Björk: /* Relations */

2016-07-08T17:17:19Z

‎Relations

Staffan Björk at 17:16, 8 July 2016

2016-07-08T17:16:43Z

Staffan Björk at 13:18, 2 July 2015

2015-07-02T13:18:17Z

Staffan Björk at 08:48, 23 January 2015

2015-01-23T08:48:37Z

Staffan Björk: /* Can Instantiate */

2015-01-23T08:47:39Z

‎Can Instantiate

Staffan Björk: /* Can Be Modulated By */

2015-01-23T08:47:30Z

‎Can Be Modulated By

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 == Consequences ==
-[[Races]] of any kind put players under [[Tension]] to work against explicit goals, and this thereby provides [[Anticipation]] for reaching that goal. They give implicit [[Time Limits]] to players unless explicit [[Time Limits]] have already been added to the gameplay. If the [[Races]] are against others, the pattern gives rise to [[Competitions]]. Given that many [[Races]] are literal [[Races]], the pattern can be used to modify gameplay in [[Game Worlds]] and this may make players tackle [[Game World Navigation]] differently and can make certain locations into [[Strategic Locations]]. [[Races]] are usually [[Excluding Goals]] although some [[Turn-Based Games]] allow [[Tied Results]] for those completing [[Races]] on the same turn. Even so, [[Tiebreakers]] are often used (even for the [[Turn-Based Games]] just mentioned) so that individual winners can be identified.
+[[Races]] of any kind put players under [[Tension]] to work against explicit goals, and this thereby provides [[Anticipation]] for reaching that goal. They give implicit [[Time Limits]] to players unless explicit [[Time Limits]] have already been added to the gameplay. If the [[Races]] are against others, the pattern gives rise to [[Competitions]]. Given that many [[Races]] are literal [[Races]], the pattern can be used to modify gameplay in [[Game Worlds]] and this may make players tackle [[Game World Navigation]] differently and can make certain locations into [[Strategic Locations]]. [[Races]] are usually [[Excluding Goals]] although some [[Turn-Based Games]] allow [[Tied Results]] for those completing [[Races]] on the same turn. Even so, [[Tiebreakers]] are often used (even for the [[Turn-Based Games]] just mentioned) so that individual winners can be identified. They are also [[Interferable Goals]] in that one [[Agents|Agent's]] position can be directly influenced by the progress of other [[Agents]].
 The end conditions of [[Races]] often make them into ordinary goals that are completed when a specific game state is reached. However, when [[Time Limits]] or some other sort of [[Limited Resources|Limited Resources]] is the main factor in determining the end of a [[Races|Race]] (as is the case in the [[Out Run]] and the [[Sega Rally series]]), this turns the challenge into one of endurance rather than speed. [[Unwinnable Games]] with [[Scores]] create the same type of [[Races]]. These [[Races]] all have [[Continuous Goals]] but are also less likely to be perceived as [[Races]] since one has to focus continuously on the present situation rather than a possible end.
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 [[Continuous Goals]],
 [[Excluding Goals]],
 [[Strategic Locations]],
 [[Supporting Goals]],

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 [[Races]] of any kind put players under [[Tension]] to work against explicit goals, and this thereby provides [[Anticipation]] for reaching that goal. They give implicit [[Time Limits]] to players unless explicit [[Time Limits]] have already been added to the gameplay. If the [[Races]] are against others, the pattern gives rise to [[Competitions]]. Given that many [[Races]] are literal [[Races]], the pattern can be used to modify gameplay in [[Game Worlds]] and this may make players tackle [[Game World Navigation]] differently and can make certain locations into [[Strategic Locations]]. [[Races]] are usually [[Excluding Goals]] although some [[Turn-Based Games]] allow [[Tied Results]] for those completing [[Races]] on the same turn. Even so, [[Tiebreakers]] are often used (even for the [[Turn-Based Games]] just mentioned) so that individual winners can be identified.
-The end conditions of [[Races]] often make them into ordinary goals that are completed when a specific game state is reached. However, when [[Time Limits]] or some other sort of [[Limited Resources|Limited Resources]] is the main factor in determining the end of a [[Races|Race]] (as is the case in the [[Outrun series]] and the [[Sega Rally series]]), this turns the challenge into one of endurance rather than speed. [[Unwinnable Games]] with [[Scores]] create the same type of [[Races]]. These [[Races]] all have [[Continuous Goals]] but are also less likely to be perceived as [[Races]] since one has to focus continuously on the present situation rather than a possible end.
+The end conditions of [[Races]] often make them into ordinary goals that are completed when a specific game state is reached. However, when [[Time Limits]] or some other sort of [[Limited Resources|Limited Resources]] is the main factor in determining the end of a [[Races|Race]] (as is the case in the [[Out Run]] and the [[Sega Rally series]]), this turns the challenge into one of endurance rather than speed. [[Unwinnable Games]] with [[Scores]] create the same type of [[Races]]. These [[Races]] all have [[Continuous Goals]] but are also less likely to be perceived as [[Races]] since one has to focus continuously on the present situation rather than a possible end.
 [[Races]] within [[Teams]] that lead to [[Individual Rewards]], e.g. gaining control over [[Loot]] or [[Vehicles]] simply by being first to reach them, can easily create [[Internal Rivalry]].

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 The most obvious types of underlying goal for [[Races]] is to take the term literally and have [[Traverse]] goals that can be achieved through [[Movement]] (or [[Maneuvering]]) and typically making [[Connection]] to some game element or marking in the [[Game Worlds|Game World]], and this may be the players themselves in [[:Category:Sports|Sports]] or games with [[Player-Location Proximity]]. However, by using [[Scores]] most forms of subgoals can be used to form [[Races]] (getting [[Achievements]] is a more modern and meta form of this) of achieving a certain amount of [[Resources]] (or alternatively losing them). In fact, it has been suggested that [[Score Tracks]] where the starting points for games that had [[Races]] as themes in them<ref name="Parlett"/>. Other general forms of [[Races]] include gaining [[Area Control]] (one of the many types of [[Races]] found in the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]]), gaining access to [[Game Items]] such as [[Loot]] or [[Vehicles]] (which create [[Races]] within [[Teams]] or groups in [[Borderlands]] and [[World of Warcraft]] for the former and in the [[Battlefield series]] for the latter). [[Gain Competence]] goals can be [[Races]], because they are either [[Excluding Goals]] or [[Symmetric Goals]] which gives a temporary advantage to the winner. This last case is an example of how [[Red Queen Dilemmas]] are [[Races]]. Simply adding [[Time Limits]] before something must be completed is in fact a way of creating [[Races]]. Many of the examples just given show that [[Races]] often can serve as [[Supporting Goals]] in games.
-[[Races]] need some factor that put [[Tension]] on players to try and achieve the underlying goals. Letting other players have the same goal, i.e. provide them all with [[Symmetric Goals]], is part of the literal type of [[Races]] and serves this purpose. If other players are not available, or not enough of them are available, [[Non-Player Characters]] can act as (non-violent) [[Enemies]] to provide competition. Less common is the use of [[Ghosts]] to let players compete against previous game sessions they or other players have had. The above mentioned [[Time Limits]] can also provide the required [[Tension]], and here trying to make [[Speedruns]] can be seen as a special case. This being said, the pressure to complete the [[Races]] can also be modulated by [[Time Limits]] (e.g. making everybody lose if nobody has completed the underlying goal within a certain amount of time) and by providing [[Imperfect Information]] about the goals or what is required to complete them. [[Tiebreakers]] can be used to ensure than only one competitor can win a [[Races|Race]]. Related to this, the appearance of clear leaders may make [[Races]] uninteresting. This can be avoided by introducing [[Balancing Effects]] during gameplay or providing access to [[Handicap Systems]] before gameplay begin, and both these are most typically created in diegetic [[Races]] through giving some of the competitors [[Movement Limitations]].
+[[Races]] need some factor that put [[Tension]] on players to try and achieve the underlying goals. Letting other players have the same goal, i.e. provide them all with [[Symmetric Goals]], is part of the literal type of [[Races]] and serves this purpose. If other players are not available, or not enough of them are available, [[Non-Player Characters]] can act as (non-violent) [[Enemies]] to provide competition. Less common is the use of [[Ghosts]] to let players compete against previous game sessions they or other players have had. The above mentioned [[Time Limits]] can also provide the required [[Tension]], and here trying to make [[Speedruns]] can be seen as a special case. This being said, the pressure to complete the [[Races]] can also be modulated by [[Time Limits]] (e.g. making everybody lose if nobody has completed the underlying goal within a certain amount of time) and by providing [[Imperfect Information]] about the goals or what is required to complete them. [[Tiebreakers]] can be used to ensure than only one competitor can win a [[Races|Race]]. Related to this, the appearance of clear leaders may make [[Races]] uninteresting. This can be avoided by introducing [[Balancing Effects]] during gameplay through having [[Negative Feedback Loops]] or providing access to [[Handicap Systems]] before gameplay begin, and both these are most typically created in diegetic [[Races]] through giving some of the competitors [[Movement Limitations]].
 Literal or diegetic [[Races]] can be modified in several other ways: [[Chargers]], [[Pick-Ups]], and other [[Strategic Locations]] can introduce [[Risk/Reward]] elements (see the [[Super Mario series]] for examples of the two first and [[Formula D]] for an example of the last) and thereby make it less clear what is the most optimal route, [[Landmarks]] can help [[Game World Navigation]], and [[Vehicles]] can provide variation in the different attributes related to the [[Races]] (e.g. acceleration, top speed, stability, etc.). Another variation to these types of [[Races]] is of course one where the players themselves try to be the first to reach a finishing line. [[Sprints]] and [[Marathons]] are examples of games, while [[Orienteering]] adds the need for [[Physical Navigation]] to the gameplay.
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 [[Mini-maps]],
 [[Movement Limitations]],
 [[Physical Navigation]],
 [[Progress Indicators]],

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 [[Races]] are high-level goal structures that needs more specific underlying goals to instantiate what game states players are trying to achieve as well as decide how players can act to try to achieve those game states. The races can be used as challenges between players in [[Multiplayer Games]] or be pit lone players against system controlled competitors.
-The most obvious types of underlying goal for [[Races]] is to take the term literally and have [[Traverse]] goals that can be achieved through [[Movement]] (or [[Maneuvering]]), and this may be the players themselves in [[:Category:Sports|Sports]] or games with [[Player-Location Proximity]]. However, by using [[Scores]] most forms of subgoals can be used to form [[Races]] (getting [[Achievements]] is a more modern and meta form of this) of achieving a certain amount of [[Resources]] (or alternatively losing them). In fact, it has been suggested that [[Score Tracks]] where the starting points for games that had [[Races]] as themes in them<ref name="Parlett"/>. Other general forms of [[Races]] include gaining [[Area Control]] (one of the many types of [[Races]] found in the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]]), gaining access to [[Game Items]] such as [[Loot]] or [[Vehicles]] (which create [[Races]] within [[Teams]] or groups in [[Borderlands]] and [[World of Warcraft]] for the former and in the [[Battlefield series]] for the latter). [[Gain Competence]] goals can be [[Races]], because they are either [[Excluding Goals]] or [[Symmetric Goals]] which gives a temporary advantage to the winner. This last case is an example of how [[Red Queen Dilemmas]] are [[Races]]. Simply adding [[Time Limits]] before something must be completed is in fact a way of creating [[Races]]. Many of the examples just given show that [[Races]] often can serve as [[Supporting Goals]] in games.
+The most obvious types of underlying goal for [[Races]] is to take the term literally and have [[Traverse]] goals that can be achieved through [[Movement]] (or [[Maneuvering]]) and typically making [[Connection]] to some game element or marking in the [[Game Worlds|Game World]], and this may be the players themselves in [[:Category:Sports|Sports]] or games with [[Player-Location Proximity]]. However, by using [[Scores]] most forms of subgoals can be used to form [[Races]] (getting [[Achievements]] is a more modern and meta form of this) of achieving a certain amount of [[Resources]] (or alternatively losing them). In fact, it has been suggested that [[Score Tracks]] where the starting points for games that had [[Races]] as themes in them<ref name="Parlett"/>. Other general forms of [[Races]] include gaining [[Area Control]] (one of the many types of [[Races]] found in the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]]), gaining access to [[Game Items]] such as [[Loot]] or [[Vehicles]] (which create [[Races]] within [[Teams]] or groups in [[Borderlands]] and [[World of Warcraft]] for the former and in the [[Battlefield series]] for the latter). [[Gain Competence]] goals can be [[Races]], because they are either [[Excluding Goals]] or [[Symmetric Goals]] which gives a temporary advantage to the winner. This last case is an example of how [[Red Queen Dilemmas]] are [[Races]]. Simply adding [[Time Limits]] before something must be completed is in fact a way of creating [[Races]]. Many of the examples just given show that [[Races]] often can serve as [[Supporting Goals]] in games.
 [[Races]] need some factor that put [[Tension]] on players to try and achieve the underlying goals. Letting other players have the same goal, i.e. provide them all with [[Symmetric Goals]], is part of the literal type of [[Races]] and serves this purpose. If other players are not available, or not enough of them are available, [[Non-Player Characters]] can act as (non-violent) [[Enemies]] to provide competition. Less common is the use of [[Ghosts]] to let players compete against previous game sessions they or other players have had. The above mentioned [[Time Limits]] can also provide the required [[Tension]], and here trying to make [[Speedruns]] can be seen as a special case. This being said, the pressure to complete the [[Races]] can also be modulated by [[Time Limits]] (e.g. making everybody lose if nobody has completed the underlying goal within a certain amount of time) and by providing [[Imperfect Information]] about the goals or what is required to complete them. [[Tiebreakers]] can be used to ensure than only one competitor can win a [[Races|Race]]. Related to this, the appearance of clear leaders may make [[Races]] uninteresting. This can be avoided by introducing [[Balancing Effects]] during gameplay or providing access to [[Handicap Systems]] before gameplay begin, and both these are most typically created in diegetic [[Races]] through giving some of the competitors [[Movement Limitations]].
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 [[Achievements]],
 [[Area Control]],
 [[Game Items]],
 [[Game State Indicators]],

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 [[Movement]],
 [[Player-Location Proximity]],
 [[Red Queen Dilemmas]],
 [[Resources]],

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 === Interface Aspects ===
-Some [[Race]], abstract ones especially, can be difficult for players to experience as actual [[Races]] due to them not being aware of how well competitors are doing. This can be avoided by introducing [[Game State Overviews]] such as [[Mini-maps]] which indicate the others' positions (this can be found in e.g. the [[Mario Kart series]] and the [[Need for Speed series]]). However, the [[Game State Overviews]] or even just [[Game State Indicators]] of some of other players' gameplay attributes can create [[Races]] where players otherwise would not perceive any.
+Some [[Race]], abstract ones especially, can be difficult for players to experience as actual [[Races]] due to them not being aware of how well competitors are doing. This can be avoided by introducing [[Game State Overviews]] such as [[Mini-maps]] which indicate the others' positions (this can be found in e.g. the [[Mario Kart series]] and the [[Need for Speed series]]). However, the [[Game State Overviews]] or even just [[Game State Indicators]] of some of other players' gameplay attributes can create [[Races]] where players otherwise would not perceive any. Alternatively, [[Progress Indicators]] could be used for similar effects.
 === Narrative Aspects ===
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 [[Movement Limitations]],
 [[Physical Navigation]],
 [[Strategic Locations]],
 [[Tiebreakers]],