Save Scumming - Revision history

Staffan Björk: /* Examples */

2015-11-19T14:48:31Z

‎Examples

Staffan Björk at 14:48, 19 November 2015

2015-11-19T14:48:23Z

Staffan Björk at 14:47, 19 November 2015

2015-11-19T14:47:15Z

Staffan Björk: /* Anti-Examples */

2015-11-19T14:43:55Z

‎Anti-Examples

Staffan Björk: /* Examples */

2015-11-19T14:43:40Z

‎Examples

Staffan Björk: /* References */

2015-11-19T14:39:44Z

‎References

Staffan Björk at 14:39, 19 November 2015

2015-11-19T14:39:34Z

Staffan Björk: /* Anti-Examples */

2015-11-19T14:21:01Z

‎Anti-Examples

Staffan Björk at 14:16, 19 November 2015

2015-11-19T14:16:21Z

Staffan Björk: /* Consequences */

2015-11-19T14:13:35Z

‎Consequences

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 === Examples ===
-All [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] that allow re-use of save files can have problems with [[Save Scumming]. However, they tend to be more common with games that include [[Mini Games]] in their design, which is the case for some installments in the [[Fallout series|Fallout]] and [[Elder Scroll series]].
+All [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] that allow re-use of save files can have problems with [[Save Scumming]. However, they tend to be more common with games that include [[Mini Games]] in their design, which is the case for some installments in the [[Fallout series|Fallout]] and [[Elder Scrolls series]].
 ==== Anti-Examples ====

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 [[Category:Dynamic Patterns]]
 [[Category:Patterns]]
 [[Category:Needs revision]]
 [[Category:Needs references]]
 [[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]]
 [[Category:To be Published]]
 ''Overuse of saving and loading possibilities in games that replay taking on gameplay challenges.''
 Creating and loading save files is common in many computer games since it allows players to make extended pauses in games as well as try solutions to challenges many times or try different solutions to the same challenge. However, players may use save files extensively to overcome challenges by getting information they were not intended to have, to have lucky breaks, or in other ways overcome challenges in ways not intended in the design. This is called [[Save Scumming]] since it is typically seen as a bad form of playing a game, and close to or indifferent from cheating.
-TVTropes has an entry for ''Save Scumming''<ref name="tvtropes"/>. Gamasutra also has a article about ''The Save Scumming Problem''<ref name="gamasutra"/>.
+TVTropes has an entry for ''Save Scumming''<ref name="tvtropes"/>. Gamasutra also has an article about ''The Save Scumming Problem''<ref name="gamasutra"/>.
 === Examples ===

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 ''Overuse of saving and loading possibilities in games that replay taking on gameplay challenges.''
-This pattern is a still a stub.
+Creating and loading save files is common in many computer games since it allows players to make extended pauses in games as well as try solutions to challenges many times or try different solutions to the same challenge. However, players may use save files extensively to overcome challenges by getting information they were not intended to have, to have lucky breaks, or in other ways overcome challenges in ways not intended in the design. This is called [[Save Scumming]] since it is typically seen as a bad form of playing a game, and close to or indifferent from cheating.
 TVTropes has an entry for ''Save Scumming''<ref name="tvtropes"/>. Gamasutra also has a article about ''The Save Scumming Problem''<ref name="gamasutra"/>.

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 ==== Anti-Examples ====
-[[:Category:Roguelikes|Roguelikes]] such as [[Rogue]], [[Nethack]], and [[Slaves to Armok II: Dwarf Fortress]], make [[Save Scumming]] difficult by only supporting one save files and removing it when it has been loaded into a game. While allowing players to engage in [[Save Scumming]], the expansion "Throne of Bhaal" to the [[Baldur's Gate series]] mocks [[Save Scumming]] through having a [[NPCs|NPC]] group use it against players.
+[[:Category:Roguelikes|Roguelikes]] such as [[Rogue]], [[Nethack]], and [[Slaves to Armok II: Dwarf Fortress]], make [[Save Scumming]] difficult by only supporting one save files and removing it when it has been loaded into a game. While allowing players to engage in [[Save Scumming]], the expansion ''Throne of Bhaal'' to the [[Baldur's Gate series]] mocks [[Save Scumming]] through having a [[NPCs|NPC]] group use it against players.
 == Using the pattern ==

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 === Examples ===
-All [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] that allow
+All [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] that allow re-use of save files can have problems with [[Save Scumming]. However, they tend to be more common with games that include [[Mini Games]] in their design, which is the case for some installments in the [[Fallout series|Fallout]] and [[Elder Scroll series]].
-−
 [[Mini Games]]
-−
 [[Fallout series]]
 [[Elder Scroll series]]
-−
-The expansion "Throne of Bhaal" to the [[Baldur's Gate series]] mocks [[Save Scumming]] through having a [[NPCs|NPC]] group use it against players.
-−
 ==== Anti-Examples ====
-[[:Category:Roguelikes|Roguelikes]] such as [[Rogue]], [[Nethack]], and [[Slaves to Armok II: Dwarf Fortress]], make [[Save Scumming]] difficult by only supporting one save files and removing it when it has been loaded into a game.
+[[:Category:Roguelikes|Roguelikes]] such as [[Rogue]], [[Nethack]], and [[Slaves to Armok II: Dwarf Fortress]], make [[Save Scumming]] difficult by only supporting one save files and removing it when it has been loaded into a game. While allowing players to engage in [[Save Scumming]], the expansion "Throne of Bhaal" to the [[Baldur's Gate series]] mocks [[Save Scumming]] through having a [[NPCs|NPC]] group use it against players.
 == Using the pattern ==

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 == References ==
 <references>
-<ref name="tvtropes>TV Tropes [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SaveScumming entry] for ''Save Scumming''.</ref>
+<ref name="tvtropes">TV Tropes [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SaveScumming entry] for ''Save Scumming''.</ref>
-<ref name="gamasutra>Schwarz, E. [http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/EricSchwarz/20120113/90898/The_Save_Scumming_Problem.php The Save Scumming Problem]. Gamasutra. Published 2012-01-13.</ref>
+<ref name="gamasutra">Schwarz, E. [http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/EricSchwarz/20120113/90898/The_Save_Scumming_Problem.php The Save Scumming Problem]. Gamasutra. Published 2012-01-13.</ref>
 </references>
 == Acknowledgements ==
+-

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 [[Mini Games]]
 link to these: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SaveScumming and http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/EricSchwarz/20120113/90898/The_Save_Scumming_Problem.php The expansion "Throne of Bhaal" to the [[Baldur's Gate series]] mocks [[Save Scumming]] through having a [[NPCs|NPC]] group use it against players.
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 == Using the pattern ==
-[[Save Scumming]] requires players to have the possibility to extensively make use of loading [[Save Files]] and to a lesser degree being able to create [[Save Files]], so the pattern builds upon the ability of players to manipulate [[Save Files]] and do [[Save-Load Cycles]].
+[[Save Scumming]] requires players to have the possibility to extensively make use of loading [[Save Files]] and to a lesser degree being able to create [[Save Files]], so the pattern builds upon the ability of players to manipulate [[Save Files]] and do [[Save-Load Cycles]]. It is especially likely in games with these feature combined with [[Mini Games]] as exemplified above, since the design then encourages players to save just before engaging in the [[Mini Games]] with little too lose from reloading game states if one failed with the particular [[Mini Games|Mine Game]].
 As a [[:Category:Negative Patterns|Negative Pattern]], [[Save Scumming]] may be something that is more often designed again than for. One of the most common ways, shown by the [[:Category:Roguelikes|Roguelikes]] above, is to have only allow each player on [[Save Files|Save File]] (i.e. putting a [[Resource Caps|Resource Cap]] on the number of [[Save Files]]).
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 == Relations ==
 === Can Instantiate ===
 [[Excise]],
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 [[Save Files]],
 [[Save-Load Cycles]]
 === Can Be Modulated By ===

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 == Consequences ==
-=== Can Instantiate ===
+The main reason [[Save Scumming]] is perceived as a [[:Category:Negative Patterns|Negative Pattern]] is that it makes the design of [[Difficulty Levels]], [[Permadeath]], and [[Surprises]] void or invalid. Further, it gives rise to players engaging in [[Excise]] built upon [[Extra-Game Actions]] that amounts to [[Grinding]]. None of these things are probably wanted by players, so [[Save Scumming]] is typically seen as a design problem (or a player behavior problem).
-[[Excise]],
-[[Extra-Game Actions]],
 [[Grinding]]
 == Relations ==