Thematic Consistency - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 09:05, 8 April 2022

2022-04-08T09:05:11Z

Staffan Björk at 15:37, 4 August 2015

2015-08-04T15:37:56Z

Staffan Björk at 10:51, 1 July 2015

2015-07-01T10:51:38Z

Staffan Björk at 10:42, 18 January 2015

2015-01-18T10:42:22Z

Staffan Björk at 18:28, 6 September 2014

2014-09-06T18:28:28Z

Staffan Björk at 07:12, 6 September 2014

2014-09-06T07:12:51Z

Staffan Björk at 11:12, 25 July 2014

2014-07-25T11:12:06Z

Staffan Björk at 10:27, 25 July 2014

2014-07-25T10:27:12Z

Staffan Björk at 07:57, 18 July 2014

2014-07-18T07:57:45Z

Staffan Björk at 08:39, 17 July 2014

2014-07-17T08:39:14Z

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 [[Category:Subjective Patterns]]
 [[Category:Patterns]]
 [[Category:Aesthetic Patterns]]

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 [[Variable Accuracy]],
 [[Workshopping]]
 === Can Be Modulated By ===

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 A primary design choice that affects [[Thematic Consistency]] is what diegetic theme the game has, and this not only affects how things should be presented in games but also how they should behave. For example, while [[Early Elimination]] is often not seen as a desirable pattern to have in a game the diegetic theme of a game together with the wish to have [[Thematic Consistency]] might require its presence. For games that do not strive to be (initially) historical, this means that the pattern is modulated by [[Alternative Realities]]. Examples of games that avoid [[Alternative Realities]] are [[:Category:Wargames|Wargames]], both such as [[Advanced Squad Leader]] and [[Rommel in the Desert]] that focus upon squads or smaller units and grand strategy games such as [[Diplomacy]] and the [[Hearts of Iron series]], and for the types of games it may be necessary to have [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] in order to have [[Thematic Consistency]]. Another issue is to what level of detail the theme should be implemented and this can make it impossible to satisfy all players that a game has [[Thematic Consistency]] - having believable behaviors from [[Non-Player Characters]], or [[Player Characters]] for that fact, is one area where expectations can vary wildly between players. For [[Self-Facilitated Games]] it is impossible to guarantee [[Thematic Consistency]] since players can add their own descriptions, but they can be encouraged by being provided with a thematically consistent set of game content to begin with. Providing [[Optional Rules]] is a way to let players set the rules to fit their opinions of the theme as well as possible, and thereby modulate how well the game has a [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Evolving Rule Sets]] do the same but can be applied during gameplay to make the rules better comply with the theme.
-The theme of a game can not only influence how game elements should be presented but also more or less require their presence in some cases. Game elements that can help create [[Thematic Consistency]] but are also restricted in how they can be realized by the theme include [[Alarms]], [[Avatars]], [[Boss Monsters]], [[Clues]] (but not those created as [[Non-Diegetic Features]]), [[Companions]], [[Enemies]], [[Environmental Effects]], [[Game Items]], [[Landmarks]], [[Tools]], [[Traces]], and [[Units]]. [[Controllers]] may also be inserted because they are implied by themes, but they also provide possibilities of having gameplay effects be dislocated from players' [[Focus Loci]], and working on other power levels, without breaking the [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Big Dumb Objects]] and [[Props]] may in contrast to the previous examples be inserted mainly to instantiate [[Thematic Consistency]] given facts related to history or an [[Alternative Realities|Alternative Reality]]. [[Alien Space Bats]] do the same but strain players suspension of disbelief more and when this breaks works against the pattern instead. [[Power-Ups]] also strain players suspension of disbelief but in this case since they quite obviously are present to present gameplay effects. The theme can motivate several of the ways these can be modulated, e.g. by being [[Destructible Objects]], [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]], or making use of [[Inventories]] (although the latter can easily work against [[Thematic Consistency]] depending on the physical considerations made in the system). [[Construction]] can be used to motivate how they are introduced to the games while the contents of [[Loot]] need to comply to themes to maintain [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Sets]] are interesting in that they are nearly always thematically consistent with each other even when the game which contains them is not, and here the [[Thematic Consistency]] between them helps define them. While [[MacGuffins]] are less restricted in their appearance by [[Thematic Consistency]] (in fact, for them to fit some themes they should only be indirectly referred to), their presence can be required by the same theme that specifically does not care about how they are represented. [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], e.g. [[Ghosts]], are objects positioned within [[Game Worlds]] that break not only [[Thematic Consistency]] but also [[Diegetic Consistency]] in not being diegetically present in those [[Game Worlds]]. [[Invulnerabilities]] of diegetic individuals and items can easily work against [[Thematic Consistency]] unless given thematic explanations - this can be a problem for game designs because the [[Invulnerabilities]] may exist implicitly due to the fact that no rules (and representations) may have been created for this purpose or because they are vital to [[Predetermined Story Structures]] and have for this reason been given explicit [[Invulnerabilities]].
+The theme of a game can not only influence how game elements should be presented but also more or less require their presence in some cases. Game elements that can help create [[Thematic Consistency]] but are also restricted in how they can be realized by the theme include [[Alarms]], [[Avatars]], [[Boss Monsters]], [[Clues]] (but not those created as [[Non-Diegetic Features]]), [[Companions]], [[Enemies]], [[Environmental Effects]], [[Game Items]], [[Landmarks]], [[Tools]], [[Traces]], and [[Units]]. [[Controllers]] may also be inserted because they are implied by themes, but they also provide possibilities of having gameplay effects be dislocated from players' [[Focus Loci]], and working on other power levels, without breaking the [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Big Dumb Objects]] and [[Props]] may in contrast to the previous examples be inserted mainly to instantiate [[Thematic Consistency]] given facts related to history or an [[Alternative Realities|Alternative Reality]]; [[Feelies]] do this but through using a physical medium. [[Alien Space Bats]] do the same but strain players suspension of disbelief more and when this breaks works against the pattern instead. [[Power-Ups]] also strain players suspension of disbelief but in this case since they quite obviously are present to present gameplay effects. The theme can motivate several of the ways these can be modulated, e.g. by being [[Destructible Objects]], [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]], or making use of [[Inventories]] (although the latter can easily work against [[Thematic Consistency]] depending on the physical considerations made in the system). [[Construction]] can be used to motivate how they are introduced to the games while the contents of [[Loot]] need to comply to themes to maintain [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Sets]] are interesting in that they are nearly always thematically consistent with each other even when the game which contains them is not, and here the [[Thematic Consistency]] between them helps define them. While [[MacGuffins]] are less restricted in their appearance by [[Thematic Consistency]] (in fact, for them to fit some themes they should only be indirectly referred to), their presence can be required by the same theme that specifically does not care about how they are represented. [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], e.g. [[Ghosts]], are objects positioned within [[Game Worlds]] that break not only [[Thematic Consistency]] but also [[Diegetic Consistency]] in not being diegetically present in those [[Game Worlds]]. [[Invulnerabilities]] of diegetic individuals and items can easily work against [[Thematic Consistency]] unless given thematic explanations - this can be a problem for game designs because the [[Invulnerabilities]] may exist implicitly due to the fact that no rules (and representations) may have been created for this purpose or because they are vital to [[Predetermined Story Structures]] and have for this reason been given explicit [[Invulnerabilities]].
 Many themes imply large [[Game Worlds]], and [[Illusion of Open Space]] or [[Procedurally Generated Game Worlds]] can help support [[Thematic Consistency]] concerning this. Worth noting is that [[Invisible Walls]] is a common way to create [[Illusion of Open Space]] and can in this way support [[Thematic Consistency]] but it is a volatile solution since the pattern works against the consistency if noticed. Related to having large [[Game Worlds]] is the question of having sufficient amount of game objects within these to be believable environments.  [[Props]] and [[Red Herrings]] can help populate the [[Game Worlds]] to the right density but for large [[Game Worlds]] it may be necessary to do this through having [[Procedurally Generated Game Worlds]] that also generate the game objects within them.
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 [[Environmental Effects]],
 [[Evolving Rule Sets]],
 [[Friendly Fire]],
 [[Game Items]],

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 Many themes imply large [[Game Worlds]], and [[Illusion of Open Space]] or [[Procedurally Generated Game Worlds]] can help support [[Thematic Consistency]] concerning this. Worth noting is that [[Invisible Walls]] is a common way to create [[Illusion of Open Space]] and can in this way support [[Thematic Consistency]] but it is a volatile solution since the pattern works against the consistency if noticed. Related to having large [[Game Worlds]] is the question of having sufficient amount of game objects within these to be believable environments.  [[Props]] and [[Red Herrings]] can help populate the [[Game Worlds]] to the right density but for large [[Game Worlds]] it may be necessary to do this through having [[Procedurally Generated Game Worlds]] that also generate the game objects within them.
-One aspect of game element design that is required for [[Thematic Consistency]] to be maintained is that there are no contradictions or irregularities in the functioning of the game. For example, if players can blow up one crate in a game, then players should also be able to blow up all other crates that look similar. Not being able to do so breaks the consistency by making some game elements function according to the theme while making others by [[Props]] (for a more detailed discussion, see Linderoth 2007<ref name="Linderoth"/>). [[Friendly Fire]], that attacks can hurt team members and not only [[Enemies]], is a pattern that supports the thematic consistency that weapons affect targets equally but is uncommon enough that it merits as a design option. Similarly, [[Variable Accuracy]] can be used to simulate the difficulties in hitting targets due to wind, fatigue, stress, and other factors that affect real world shooting.
+One aspect of game element design that is required for [[Thematic Consistency]] to be maintained is that there are no contradictions or irregularities in the functioning of the game. For example, if players can blow up one crate in a game, then players should also be able to blow up all other crates that look similar. Not being able to do so breaks the consistency by making some game elements function according to the theme while making others by [[Props]] (for a more detailed discussion, see Linderoth 2007<ref name="Linderoth"/>). [[Friendly Fire]], that attacks can hurt team members and not only [[Enemies]], is a pattern that supports the thematic consistency that weapons affect targets equally but is uncommon enough that it merits as a design option. Similarly, [[Variable Accuracy]] can be used to simulate the difficulties in hitting targets due to wind, fatigue, stress, and other factors that affect real world shooting. A more general issue with [[Thematic Consistency]] occurs when there is a need or wish to use [[Regenerating Resources]] since few real world [[Resources]] can be replenished at the speed with gameplay might dictate; the use of fictional worlds can remove this issue.
 [[Thematic Consistency]] does not only concern game elements. Providing players with the actions they should thematically be able to do is needed, as is making the inhabitants of the [[Alternative Realities]] look and act plausible. In fact, one aspect of [[Thematic Consistency]] which may be more difficult for games than other mediums are to make the behavior of [[Agents]] believable. This since it requires some form of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] while they should still be interactive. For [[Non-Player Characters]] and other [[Agents]] run either by [[Algorithmic Agents]] or [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] such as [[Game Masters]] it is easy to enforce the behaviors but trying to capture enough nuances of human behavior can require a host of other patterns, including [[Actions Have Diegetically Social Consequences]], [[Awareness of Surroundings]], [[Character Development]], [[Emotional Attachment]], [[Goal-Driven Personal Development]], [[Initiative]], [[Open Destiny]], [[Own Agenda]], [[Player/Character Skill Composites]], [[Sense of Self]], [[Thematically Consistent Dialogues]], and [[Unpredictable Behavior]]. [[Ephemeral Goals]] can play a role here in that they can help give the impression that [[Agents]] have their [[Own Agenda]] even if this is not implemented on a game system level. [[Crafting]] is somewhat of a special case here since it is a behavior of [[Agents]] but one whose effect can be used to explain how [[Game Items]] are created. Looking more generally on this aspect, [[Façade]], and to a lesser degree the [[Sims series]], are examples of games that have put significant resources into designing support for this kind of social [[Thematic Consistency]]. In fact, making [[Characters]] seem to be [[Agents]] and not [[Self-Service Kiosks]] can be an issue for [[Thematic Consistency]]. For example, providing [[Chat Channels]] to be able to have dialogues with [[Characters]] instead of [[Canned Text Responses]] allows for the highest level of nuances and [[Enactment]] but at the same time opens up for abuse by players, especially if [[Emotes]] are available.
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 [[Props]],
 [[Quests]],
 [[Rewards]],
 [[Roleplaying]],

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 === Narrative Aspects ===
 [[Thematic Consistency]] is considered a basic requirement for having quality in most types of narration, and most aspects of designing it can therefore be said to affect [[Narration Structures]] in general. Even if [[Instances]] and [[Quests]] are expressed through diegetic elements, they may work against [[Thematic Consistency]] when their [[Rewards]] become too mechanical or when they can be repeated (as they usually can in [[Massively Multiplayer Online Games]]). [[Clues]] that follow the [[Thematic Consistency]] can modulate a game's [[Detective Structures|Detective Structure]] since it allow players to make use of their whole knowledge of the genre used; these can in this case also help create [[Predetermined Story Structures]].
 == Consequences ==
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 [[Units]],
 [[Unpredictable Behavior]],
-[[Variable Accuracy]]
+[[Variable Accuracy]],
 [[Player Killing]] together with [[Teams]]

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 [[Thematic Consistency]] is somewhat easier to maintain in [[Single-Player Games]] since the game can control everything but the players actions and control which actions are possible. This is however not a sure way since players can break the consistency by not trying to achieve the goals of the games (which are typically tied to the theme).
 === Diegetic Aspects ===
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 [[Emotional Engrossment]],
 [[Predictable Consequences]],
 [[Sets]],
 [[Smooth Learning Curves]],
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 [[Props]],
 [[Red Herrings]],
 [[Roleplaying]],
 [[Sense of Self]],

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 == Using the pattern ==
-A primary design choice that affects [[Thematic Consistency]] is what diegetic theme the game has, and this not only affects how things should be presented in games but also how they should behave. For games that do not strive to be (initially) historical, this means that the pattern is modulated by [[Alternative Realities]]. Examples of games that avoid [[Alternative Realities]] are [[:Category:Wargames|Wargames]], both such as [[Advanced Squad Leader]] and [[Rommel in the Desert]] that focus upon squads or smaller units and grand strategy games such as [[Diplomacy]] and the [[Hearts of Iron series]], and for the types of games it may be necessary to have [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] in order to have [[Thematic Consistency]]. Another issue is to what level of detail the theme should be implemented and this can make it impossible to satisfy all players that a game has [[Thematic Consistency]] - having believable behaviors from [[Non-Player Characters]], or [[Player Characters]] for that fact, is one area where expectations can vary wildly between players. For [[Self-Facilitated Games]] it is impossible to guarantee [[Thematic Consistency]] since players can add their own descriptions, but they can be encouraged by being provided with a thematically consistent set of game content to begin with. Providing [[Optional Rules]] is a way to let players set the rules to fit their opinions of the theme as well as possible, and thereby modulate how well the game has a [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Evolving Rule Sets]] do the same but can be applied during gameplay to make the rules better comply with the theme.
+A primary design choice that affects [[Thematic Consistency]] is what diegetic theme the game has, and this not only affects how things should be presented in games but also how they should behave. For example, while [[Early Elimination]] is often not seen as a desirable pattern to have in a game the diegetic theme of a game together with the wish to have [[Thematic Consistency]] might require its presence. For games that do not strive to be (initially) historical, this means that the pattern is modulated by [[Alternative Realities]]. Examples of games that avoid [[Alternative Realities]] are [[:Category:Wargames|Wargames]], both such as [[Advanced Squad Leader]] and [[Rommel in the Desert]] that focus upon squads or smaller units and grand strategy games such as [[Diplomacy]] and the [[Hearts of Iron series]], and for the types of games it may be necessary to have [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] in order to have [[Thematic Consistency]]. Another issue is to what level of detail the theme should be implemented and this can make it impossible to satisfy all players that a game has [[Thematic Consistency]] - having believable behaviors from [[Non-Player Characters]], or [[Player Characters]] for that fact, is one area where expectations can vary wildly between players. For [[Self-Facilitated Games]] it is impossible to guarantee [[Thematic Consistency]] since players can add their own descriptions, but they can be encouraged by being provided with a thematically consistent set of game content to begin with. Providing [[Optional Rules]] is a way to let players set the rules to fit their opinions of the theme as well as possible, and thereby modulate how well the game has a [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Evolving Rule Sets]] do the same but can be applied during gameplay to make the rules better comply with the theme.
 The theme of a game can not only influence how game elements should be presented but also more or less require their presence in some cases. Game elements that can help create [[Thematic Consistency]] but are also restricted in how they can be realized by the theme include [[Alarms]], [[Avatars]], [[Boss Monsters]], [[Clues]] (but not those created as [[Non-Diegetic Features]]), [[Companions]], [[Enemies]], [[Environmental Effects]], [[Game Items]], [[Landmarks]], [[Tools]], [[Traces]], and [[Units]]. [[Controllers]] may also be inserted because they are implied by themes, but they also provide possibilities of having gameplay effects be dislocated from players' [[Focus Loci]], and working on other power levels, without breaking the [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Big Dumb Objects]] and [[Props]] may in contrast to the previous examples be inserted mainly to instantiate [[Thematic Consistency]] given facts related to history or an [[Alternative Realities|Alternative Reality]]. [[Alien Space Bats]] do the same but strain players suspension of disbelief more and when this breaks works against the pattern instead. [[Power-Ups]] also strain players suspension of disbelief but in this case since they quite obviously are present to present gameplay effects. The theme can motivate several of the ways these can be modulated, e.g. by being [[Destructible Objects]], [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]], or making use of [[Inventories]] (although the latter can easily work against [[Thematic Consistency]] depending on the physical considerations made in the system). [[Construction]] can be used to motivate how they are introduced to the games while the contents of [[Loot]] need to comply to themes to maintain [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Sets]] are interesting in that they are nearly always thematically consistent with each other even when the game which contains them is not, and here the [[Thematic Consistency]] between them helps define them. While [[MacGuffins]] are less restricted in their appearance by [[Thematic Consistency]] (in fact, for them to fit some themes they should only be indirectly referred to), their presence can be required by the same theme that specifically does not care about how they are represented. [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], e.g. [[Ghosts]], are objects positioned within [[Game Worlds]] that break not only [[Thematic Consistency]] but also [[Diegetic Consistency]] in not being diegetically present in those [[Game Worlds]]. [[Invulnerabilities]] of diegetic individuals and items can easily work against [[Thematic Consistency]] unless given thematic explanations - this can be a problem for game designs because the [[Invulnerabilities]] may exist implicitly due to the fact that no rules (and representations) may have been created for this purpose or because they are vital to [[Predetermined Story Structures]] and have for this reason been given explicit [[Invulnerabilities]].
@@ Line 115: / Line 115: @@
 [[Diegetic Consistency]],
 [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]],
 [[Emotional Attachment]],
 [[Ephemeral Goals]],

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 One aspect of game element design that is required for [[Thematic Consistency]] to be maintained is that there are no contradictions or irregularities in the functioning of the game. For example, if players can blow up one crate in a game, then players should also be able to blow up all other crates that look similar. Not being able to do so breaks the consistency by making some game elements function according to the theme while making others by [[Props]] (for a more detailed discussion, see Linderoth 2007<ref name="Linderoth"/>). [[Friendly Fire]], that attacks can hurt team members and not only [[Enemies]], is a pattern that supports the thematic consistency that weapons affect targets equally but is uncommon enough that it merits as a design option. Similarly, [[Variable Accuracy]] can be used to simulate the difficulties in hitting targets due to wind, fatigue, stress, and other factors that affect real world shooting.
-[[Thematic Consistency]] does not only concern game elements. Providing players with the actions they should thematically be able to do is needed, as is making the inhabitants of the [[Alternative Realities]] look and act plausible. In fact, one aspect of [[Thematic Consistency]] which may be more difficult for games than other mediums are to make the behavior of [[Agents]] believable. This since it requires some form of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] while they should still be interactive. For [[Non-Player Characters]] and other [[Agents]] run either by [[Algorithmic Agents]] or [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] such as [[Game Masters]] it is easy to enforce the behaviors but trying to capture enough nuances of human behavior can require a host of other patterns, including [[Actions Have Diegetically Social Consequences]], [[Awareness of Surroundings]], [[Character Development]], [[Emotional Attachment]], [[Goal-Driven Personal Development]], [[Initiative]], [[Open Destiny]], [[Own Agenda]], [[Player/Character Skill Composites]], [[Sense of Self]], [[Thematically Consistent Dialogues]], and [[Unpredictable Behavior]]. [[Ephemeral Goals]] can play a role here in that they can help give the impression that [[Agents]] have their [[Own Agenda]] even if this is not implemented on a game system level. [[Crafting]] is somewhat of a special case here since it is a behavior of [[Agents]] but one whose effect can be used to explain how [[Game Items]] are created. Looking more generally on this aspect, [[Façade]], and to a lesser degree the [[Sims series]], are examples of games that have put significant resources into designing support for this kind of social [[Thematic Consistency]]. In fact, making [[Characters]] seem to be [[Agents]] and not [[Self-Service Kiosks]] can be an issue for [[Thematic Consistency]]. For example, providing [[Chat Channels]] to be able to have dialogues with [[Characters]] instead of [[Canned Text Responses]] allows for the highest level of nuances and [[Enactment]] but at the same time opens up for abuse by players.
+[[Thematic Consistency]] does not only concern game elements. Providing players with the actions they should thematically be able to do is needed, as is making the inhabitants of the [[Alternative Realities]] look and act plausible. In fact, one aspect of [[Thematic Consistency]] which may be more difficult for games than other mediums are to make the behavior of [[Agents]] believable. This since it requires some form of [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] while they should still be interactive. For [[Non-Player Characters]] and other [[Agents]] run either by [[Algorithmic Agents]] or [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] such as [[Game Masters]] it is easy to enforce the behaviors but trying to capture enough nuances of human behavior can require a host of other patterns, including [[Actions Have Diegetically Social Consequences]], [[Awareness of Surroundings]], [[Character Development]], [[Emotional Attachment]], [[Goal-Driven Personal Development]], [[Initiative]], [[Open Destiny]], [[Own Agenda]], [[Player/Character Skill Composites]], [[Sense of Self]], [[Thematically Consistent Dialogues]], and [[Unpredictable Behavior]]. [[Ephemeral Goals]] can play a role here in that they can help give the impression that [[Agents]] have their [[Own Agenda]] even if this is not implemented on a game system level. [[Crafting]] is somewhat of a special case here since it is a behavior of [[Agents]] but one whose effect can be used to explain how [[Game Items]] are created. Looking more generally on this aspect, [[Façade]], and to a lesser degree the [[Sims series]], are examples of games that have put significant resources into designing support for this kind of social [[Thematic Consistency]]. In fact, making [[Characters]] seem to be [[Agents]] and not [[Self-Service Kiosks]] can be an issue for [[Thematic Consistency]]. For example, providing [[Chat Channels]] to be able to have dialogues with [[Characters]] instead of [[Canned Text Responses]] allows for the highest level of nuances and [[Enactment]] but at the same time opens up for abuse by players, especially if [[Emotes]] are available.
 It can be especially difficult to guarantee that gameplay follows a predefined thematic setup when players engage in [[Roleplaying]] but here [[Game Masters]] can act as moderators, and banning improvisation from [[Roleplaying]] undercuts [[Thematic Consistency]] since the small details these add are important for the social believability of a game. The problem can be especially apparent in [[Multiplayer Games]] since players can feedback on each other to spin off events that they feel are thematically consistency but which is not necessarily shared by others. When the behavior of [[Agents]] or how game rules can simulate physics are not sufficient to maintain [[Thematic Consistency]], this can be solved by replacing some diegetic game events through [[Cutscenes]]. [[Mules]] are a special case of [[Agents]] that are likely to break [[Thematic Consistency]] - this since they are likely to not behave consistency with the behavior of players that sometimes take control of them.
@@ Line 164: / Line 164: @@
 [[Creative Control]],
 [[Easter Eggs]],
 [[Extra-Game Consequences]],
 [[Extra-Game Information]],

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 It can be especially difficult to guarantee that gameplay follows a predefined thematic setup when players engage in [[Roleplaying]] but here [[Game Masters]] can act as moderators, and banning improvisation from [[Roleplaying]] undercuts [[Thematic Consistency]] since the small details these add are important for the social believability of a game. The problem can be especially apparent in [[Multiplayer Games]] since players can feedback on each other to spin off events that they feel are thematically consistency but which is not necessarily shared by others. When the behavior of [[Agents]] or how game rules can simulate physics are not sufficient to maintain [[Thematic Consistency]], this can be solved by replacing some diegetic game events through [[Cutscenes]]. [[Mules]] are a special case of [[Agents]] that are likely to break [[Thematic Consistency]] - this since they are likely to not behave consistency with the behavior of players that sometimes take control of them.
-[[Diegetic Consistency]] is closely related to [[Thematic Consistency]] since having [[Non-Diegetic Features]], [[Extra-Game Consequences]], [[Extra-Game Information]] (which may include some types of [[Clues]] or [[Indirect Information]]), or otherwise breaking the [[Diegetic Consistency]] also disrupts the [[Thematic Consistency]] since the features that do fit cannot fit the given diegetic themes. [[Invisible Walls]] are interesting game elements in relation to this since they often do not conflict with [[Diegetic Consistency]] since they are invisible but can break [[Thematic Consistency]] if noticed. Likewise, [[Inaccessible Areas]], diegetic [[Private Game Spaces]], and [[Safe Havens]] do not need to break [[Diegetic Consistency]] but if there does not exist good thematic explanations why they cannot be reached they break [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Temporal Consistency]] is also related to how players experience [[Game Worlds]] and can for this reason be worth reflecting on while considering [[Thematic Consistency]].
+[[Diegetic Consistency]] is closely related to [[Thematic Consistency]] since having [[Non-Diegetic Features]], [[Non-Diegetic Communication]], [[Extra-Game Consequences]], [[Extra-Game Information]] (which may include some types of [[Clues]] or [[Indirect Information]]), or otherwise breaking the [[Diegetic Consistency]] also disrupts the [[Thematic Consistency]] since the features that do fit cannot fit the given diegetic themes. For this reason, having [[Diegetic Communication]] is often a goal when wanting to have [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Invisible Walls]] are interesting game elements in relation to [[Thematic Consistency]] since they often do not conflict with [[Diegetic Consistency]] as they are invisible but can still break [[Thematic Consistency]] if noticed. Likewise, [[Inaccessible Areas]], diegetic [[Private Game Spaces]], and [[Safe Havens]] do not need to break [[Diegetic Consistency]] but if there does not exist good thematic explanations why they cannot be reached they break [[Thematic Consistency]]. [[Temporal Consistency]] is also related to how players experience [[Game Worlds]] and can for this reason be worth reflecting on while considering [[Thematic Consistency]].
 With the exception of [[Construction]], patterns that introduce new game elements and game events can have problematic relations to [[Thematic Consistency]]. While making [[Events Timed to the Real World]] can ensure [[Temporal Consistency]], the common use of this pattern to link real world holidays and special events to a game is quite likely to break its [[Thematic Consistency]] if the game depicts an [[Alternative Realities|Alternative Reality]]. [[Late Arriving Players]] in contrast need to place new [[Avatars]] or [[Units]] as important as already existing ones into gameplay, and this may be difficult to combine with [[Thematic Consistency]]. This, and the need to reuse [[Instances]] and [[Quests]] makes it difficult to have high levels of [[Thematic Consistency]] in [[Massively Multiplayer Online Games]] and [[Persistent Game Worlds]] since they cause [[Non-Consistent Narration]] by having story structured told several times to players. Generally, any type of [[Spawning]] and assoicated [[Spawn Points]] can be problematic if the appearance of the game elements clearly appear from nowhere, and this also make patterns building on [[Spawning]], e.g. many [[Grind Achievements]] based upon [[Collecting]], problematic as well. [[Non-Player Help]] do not have to introduce new game elements but can also cause problems with [[Thematic Consistency]] since they introduce events that may break the consistency instead. In contrast, [[Minigames]] can introduce not only new game elements but new gameplay activities without breaking [[Thematic Consistency]] as long as they share themes with the main game. One example when this is not the case is when they are provided as [[Easter Eggs]] - and [[Easter Eggs]] in general break [[Thematic Consistency]].
@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]],
 [[Destructible Objects]],
 [[Diegetic Consistency]],
 [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]],
@@ Line 182: / Line 183: @@
 [[Naming]],
 [[Non-Consistent Narration]],
 [[Non-Diegetic Features]],
 [[Persistent Game Worlds]],

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 [[Thematic Consistency]] can be difficulty to guarantee due to many reason. The presences of [[Alien Space Bats]], [[Non-Diegetic Features]], [[Lives]], [[Extra-Game Consequences]], and [[Extra-Game Information]] are all examples mentioned above of patterns that are difficult to combine with [[Thematic Consistency]]. Other patterns, e.g. [[Illusion of Open Space]] and [[Invisible Walls]], offer fragile ways of creating [[Thematic Consistency]] since if they are noticed they work against it rather than supporting it. Another reason when [[Thematic Consistency]] can be difficult to guarantee is when players have [[Creative Control]], e.g. through [[Chat Channels]]. [[Naming]] is also a potential problem since this allows players to introduce inconsistencies at their own whim.
 == Relations ==
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 [[Smooth Learning Curves]],
 [[Strategic Knowledge]]
 ==== with [[Clues]] ====