Traces - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 13:51, 21 July 2016

2016-07-21T13:51:33Z

Staffan Björk at 08:45, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T08:45:51Z

Staffan Björk at 08:44, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T08:44:21Z

Staffan Björk: /* Using the pattern */

2014-07-30T22:39:47Z

‎Using the pattern

Staffan Björk at 11:03, 9 July 2014

2014-07-09T11:03:57Z

Staffan Björk at 08:46, 15 October 2011

2011-10-15T08:46:15Z

Staffan Björk at 13:18, 19 September 2011

2011-09-19T13:18:03Z

Staffan Björk: /* Relations */

2011-09-08T11:43:44Z

‎Relations

Staffan Björk: /* Consequences */

2011-09-08T11:43:38Z

‎Consequences

Staffan Björk at 11:05, 5 September 2011

2011-09-05T11:05:34Z

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 == Using the pattern ==
-[[Traces]] are commonly used to indicate the presence and location of [[Enemies]], [[Resource Locations]], and [[Traps]]. While [[Traces]] in these cases lead players to specific points in [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]], they can also support the [[Movement]] required for accomplishing [[Traverse]] and [[Game World Exploration]] goals; for [[Reconnaissance]] goals, the detection of [[Traces]] can instead be either supporting [[Clues]] or the primary subgoal.
+[[Traces]] are commonly used to indicate the presence and location of [[Enemies]], [[Resource Locations]], and [[Traps]]. While [[Traces]] in these cases lead players to specific points in [[Game Boards]], [[Game Worlds]], or [[Levels]], they can also support the [[Movement]] required for accomplishing [[Traverse]] and [[Game World Exploration]] goals; for [[Reconnaissance]] goals, the detection of [[Traces]] can instead be either supporting [[Clues]] or the primary subgoal.
 The functional nature of [[Traces]] in games can be separated into two general classes: those that cannot be manipulated by the players and those that can. The first class provides players with information about what previous actions have happened before and during the gameplay. Those generated before the gameplay typically provide [[Clues]] or help unfold [[Predetermined Story Structures]] by being part of [[Environmental Storytelling]], while those generated during the gameplay can be [[Traces]] of other players and often disappear after a certain [[Time Limits]].
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 [[Traces]] which consist of game elements that can be manipulated by the players create additional tactics in games. Players may be able to move the elements to set-up false [[Traces]], i.e. [[Red Herrings]] that may led to [[Traps]] (rather than warning players of them), or make [[Trade-Offs]] between whether to spend time hiding their own [[Traces]] or performing other actions instead -hiding unconscious guards in the [[Thief series]] is an example of this.
-There are many ways to create [[Traces]], the most basic being the placement of [[Check Points]], [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], [[Landmarks]], [[Pick-Ups]], and [[Props]]. [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] can be used to make these easier to notice or instantiate the pattern directly by change the visual presentation of the actual [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]]. [[Environmental Storytelling]] are more complex solutions typically making use of several other "smaller" patterns but at the same time allows the [[Traces]] to be part of [[Predetermined Story Structures]]. Depending on their status, [[Switches]] can be [[Traces]] if players have the knowledge of what state they should be in. [[Traces]] can also occur through the lack of game elements, e. g. [[Pick-Ups]] or [[Enemies]]. In these cases the configuration of game elements can be seen as negative [[Traces]], i.e. the [[Traces]] are detected because something is lacking or has been changed due to the actions of the players or game events.
+There are many ways to create [[Traces]], the most basic being the placement of [[Check Points]], [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], [[Landmarks]], [[Pick-Ups]], and [[Props]]. [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] can be used to make these easier to notice or instantiate the pattern directly by change the visual presentation of the actual [[Game Boards]], [[Game Worlds]], or [[Levels]]. [[Environmental Storytelling]] are more complex solutions typically making use of several other "smaller" patterns but at the same time allows the [[Traces]] to be part of [[Predetermined Story Structures]]. Depending on their status, [[Switches]] can be [[Traces]] if players have the knowledge of what state they should be in. [[Traces]] can also occur through the lack of game elements, e. g. [[Pick-Ups]] or [[Enemies]]. In these cases the configuration of game elements can be seen as negative [[Traces]], i.e. the [[Traces]] are detected because something is lacking or has been changed due to the actions of the players or game events.
 While game designers can add [[Traces]] to games that exist at the start of game instances, they may also be designed to occur as consequences of action and events; the footprints left after entering water in [[Duke Nukem 3D]] is a specific example of this while leaving [[Traces]] from [[Damage]] can be found in various forms in many games.  However, players may create [[Traces]] themselves if they can drop [[Game Items]], which can be used to support [[Game World Navigation]], and unless [[Pick-Ups]] are instantly respawn the absence of them from locations in games can be [[Traces]] also.
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 == Consequences ==
-[[Traces]] are either built from [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] or become this through how they attract attention, or both. By directing players towards points of interest in [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]] where danger or [[Rewards]] can be found there, [[Traces]] provides [[Clues]] that can give rise to [[Anticipation]] and [[Tension]] in games but can also help in [[Puzzle Solving]] activities. However, not all [[Traces]] lead to what they seem, some are instead [[Red Herrings]]. Being able to both give players information and misinformation about future gameplay, [[Traces]] are able to modulate the difficulty in games to have the right level of [[Challenging Gameplay]].
+[[Traces]] are either built from [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] or become this through how they attract attention, or both. By directing players towards points of interest in [[Game Boards]], [[Game Worlds]], or [[Levels]] where danger or [[Rewards]] can be found there, [[Traces]] provides [[Clues]] that can give rise to [[Anticipation]] and [[Tension]] in games but can also help in [[Puzzle Solving]] activities. However, not all [[Traces]] lead to what they seem, some are instead [[Red Herrings]]. Being able to both give players information and misinformation about future gameplay, [[Traces]] are able to modulate the difficulty in games to have the right level of [[Challenging Gameplay]].
 [[Traces]] modulates [[Game World Navigation]] and [[Movement]] since they affect where players want to move, especially when they are used to indicate the route for [[Traverse]] goals or give [[Clues]] for [[Game World Exploration]] goals. When the [[Traces]] are created during gameplay as effects of actions and events, [[Traces]] can support players in their [[Tactical Planning]]. If they can be modified by players the [[Traces]] can require [[Trade-Offs]] between removing these and doing other actions and can let players lead other players into [[Traps]].
@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 [[Damage]],
 [[Enemies]],
 [[Game World Exploration]],
 [[Game World Navigation]],

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 == Using the pattern ==
-[[Traces]] are commonly used to indicate the presence and location of [[Enemies]], [[Resource Sources]], and [[Traps]]. While [[Traces]] in these cases lead players to specific points in [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]], they can also support the [[Movement]] required for accomplishing [[Traverse]] and [[Game World Exploration]] goals; for [[Reconnaissance]] goals, the detection of [[Traces]] can instead be either supporting [[Clues]] or the primary subgoal.
+[[Traces]] are commonly used to indicate the presence and location of [[Enemies]], [[Resource Locations]], and [[Traps]]. While [[Traces]] in these cases lead players to specific points in [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]], they can also support the [[Movement]] required for accomplishing [[Traverse]] and [[Game World Exploration]] goals; for [[Reconnaissance]] goals, the detection of [[Traces]] can instead be either supporting [[Clues]] or the primary subgoal.
 The functional nature of [[Traces]] in games can be separated into two general classes: those that cannot be manipulated by the players and those that can. The first class provides players with information about what previous actions have happened before and during the gameplay. Those generated before the gameplay typically provide [[Clues]] or help unfold [[Predetermined Story Structures]] by being part of [[Environmental Storytelling]], while those generated during the gameplay can be [[Traces]] of other players and often disappear after a certain [[Time Limits]].
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 [[Reconnaissance]],
 [[Resource Locations]],
 [[Traps]],
 [[Traverse]]

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 [[Puzzle Solving]],
 [[Reconnaissance]],
 [[Resource Sources]],
 [[Traps]],

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 [[Traces]] are commonly used to indicate the presence and location of [[Enemies]], [[Resource Sources]], and [[Traps]]. While [[Traces]] in these cases lead players to specific points in [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]], they can also support the [[Movement]] required for accomplishing [[Traverse]] and [[Game World Exploration]] goals; for [[Reconnaissance]] goals, the detection of [[Traces]] can instead be either supporting [[Clues]] or the primary subgoal.
-The functional nature of [[Traces]] in games can be separated into two general classes: those that cannot be manipulated by the players and those that can. The first class provides players with information about what previous actions have happened before and during the gameplay. Those generated before the gameplay typically provide [[Clues]] or help unfold [[Narration Structures]] by being part of [[Environmental Storytelling]], while those generated during the gameplay can be [[Traces]] of other players and often disappear after a certain [[Time Limits]].
+The functional nature of [[Traces]] in games can be separated into two general classes: those that cannot be manipulated by the players and those that can. The first class provides players with information about what previous actions have happened before and during the gameplay. Those generated before the gameplay typically provide [[Clues]] or help unfold [[Predetermined Story Structures]] by being part of [[Environmental Storytelling]], while those generated during the gameplay can be [[Traces]] of other players and often disappear after a certain [[Time Limits]].
 [[Traces]] which consist of game elements that can be manipulated by the players create additional tactics in games. Players may be able to move the elements to set-up false [[Traces]], i.e. [[Red Herrings]] that may led to [[Traps]] (rather than warning players of them), or make [[Trade-Offs]] between whether to spend time hiding their own [[Traces]] or performing other actions instead -hiding unconscious guards in the [[Thief series]] is an example of this.

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 [[Traces]] which consist of game elements that can be manipulated by the players create additional tactics in games. Players may be able to move the elements to set-up false [[Traces]], i.e. [[Red Herrings]] that may led to [[Traps]] (rather than warning players of them), or make [[Trade-Offs]] between whether to spend time hiding their own [[Traces]] or performing other actions instead -hiding unconscious guards in the [[Thief series]] is an example of this.
-There are many ways to create [[Traces]], the most basic being the placement of [[Check Points]], [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], [[Landmarks]], [[Pick-Ups]], and [[Props]]. [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] can be used to make these easier to notice or instantiate the pattern directly by change the visual presentation of the actual [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]]. [[Environmental Storytelling]] are more complex solutions typically making use of several other "smaller" patterns but at the same time allows the [[Traces]] to be part of [[Predefined Story Structures]]. Depending on their status, [[Switches]] can be [[Traces]] if players have the knowledge of what state they should be in. [[Traces]] can also occur through the lack of game elements, e. g. [[Pick-Ups]] or [[Enemies]]. In these cases the configuration of game elements can be seen as negative [[Traces]], i.e. the [[Traces]] are detected because something is lacking or has been changed due to the actions of the players or game events.
+There are many ways to create [[Traces]], the most basic being the placement of [[Check Points]], [[Geospatial Game Widgets]], [[Landmarks]], [[Pick-Ups]], and [[Props]]. [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] can be used to make these easier to notice or instantiate the pattern directly by change the visual presentation of the actual [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]]. [[Environmental Storytelling]] are more complex solutions typically making use of several other "smaller" patterns but at the same time allows the [[Traces]] to be part of [[Predetermined Story Structures]]. Depending on their status, [[Switches]] can be [[Traces]] if players have the knowledge of what state they should be in. [[Traces]] can also occur through the lack of game elements, e. g. [[Pick-Ups]] or [[Enemies]]. In these cases the configuration of game elements can be seen as negative [[Traces]], i.e. the [[Traces]] are detected because something is lacking or has been changed due to the actions of the players or game events.
 While game designers can add [[Traces]] to games that exist at the start of game instances, they may also be designed to occur as consequences of action and events; the footprints left after entering water in [[Duke Nukem 3D]] is a specific example of this while leaving [[Traces]] from [[Damage]] can be found in various forms in many games.  However, players may create [[Traces]] themselves if they can drop [[Game Items]], which can be used to support [[Game World Navigation]], and unless [[Pick-Ups]] are instantly respawn the absence of them from locations in games can be [[Traces]] also.
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 === Narrative Aspects ===
-Even if the [[Traces]] pattern relates primarily to how players can be informed about previous and potentially future gameplay events, it can also support [[Predefined Story Structures]]. This is more or less a given when they are created as part of [[Environmental Storytelling]].
+Even if the [[Traces]] pattern relates primarily to how players can be informed about previous and potentially future gameplay events, it can also support [[Predetermined Story Structures]]. This is more or less a given when they are created as part of [[Environmental Storytelling]].
-[[Traces]] may be especially appropriate for those [[Predefined Story Structures]] using a [[Detective Structures|Detective Structure]] since these rely on players slowly being told the story from one perspective.
+[[Traces]] may be especially appropriate for those [[Predetermined Story Structures]] using a [[Detective Structures|Detective Structure]] since these rely on players slowly being told the story from one perspective.
 == Consequences ==
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 [[Clues]],
 [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]],
-[[Predefined Story Structures]],
+[[Predetermined Story Structures]],
 [[Reconnaissance]],
 [[Red Herrings]],

@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 [[Thematic Consistency]],
 [[Trade-Offs]]
 === Can Modulate ===