Difference between revisions of "Varied Gameplay"
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There are two main categories of [[Varied Gameplay]]: that which is varied between game instances and that which is varied within game instances. A game can of course aspire to provide both. | There are two main categories of [[Varied Gameplay]]: that which is varied between game instances and that which is varied within game instances. A game can of course aspire to provide both. | ||
| − | [[Asymmetric Abilities]], [[Asymmetric Goals]], and [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] typically provide [[Varied Gameplay]] between game instances through giving players different [[Abilities]] or [[Resources]] each time they play (limited by the number of different [[Abilities]] and [[Resources]]). This can be packaged as [[Asymmetric Roles]] and in [[Multiplayer Games]] this can take the form of [[Functional Roles]]. More positively from the players' perspective, [[Varied Gameplay]] can be achieved by presenting them with [[New Abilities]], [[Sidegrades]], and new or improved [[Skills]]. [[Competence Areas]] in general can support [[Varied Gameplay]] but more likely between players than for individual players. [[Flanking Routes]] lets players have difference between game instances in that they can use different routes to achieve their goals between the instances. [[Back-to-Back Game Sessions]] can be used to any game design that has [[Varied Gameplay]] between game instances to further provide [[Varied Gameplay]] although this is most often used in games with [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] to create [[Player Balance]] over game instances. | + | [[Asymmetric Abilities]], [[Asymmetric Goals]], [[Asymmetric Resource Distribution]], and [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] typically provide [[Varied Gameplay]] between game instances through giving players different [[Abilities]] or [[Resources]] each time they play (limited by the number of different [[Abilities]] and [[Resources]]). This can be packaged as [[Asymmetric Roles]] and in [[Multiplayer Games]] this can take the form of [[Functional Roles]]. More positively from the players' perspective, [[Varied Gameplay]] can be achieved by presenting them with [[New Abilities]], [[Sidegrades]], and new or improved [[Skills]]. [[Competence Areas]] in general can support [[Varied Gameplay]] but more likely between players than for individual players. [[Flanking Routes]] lets players have difference between game instances in that they can use different routes to achieve their goals between the instances. [[Back-to-Back Game Sessions]] can be used to any game design that has [[Varied Gameplay]] between game instances to further provide [[Varied Gameplay]] although this is most often used in games with [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]] to create [[Player Balance]] over game instances. |
| − | During game instances [[Varied Gameplay]] can be forced on players through [[Ability Losses]] and [[Cooldown]] effects since these can make players have to handle challenges in different ways during a game instance. [[Complex Gameplay]] on a more abstract level promotes [[Varied Gameplay]] since players may both need to handle more different types of challenges (and have more different actions available) and need to vary their style of playing overtime. | + | During game instances [[Varied Gameplay]] can be forced on players through [[Ability Losses]] and [[Cooldown]] effects since these can make players have to handle challenges in different ways during a game instance. [[Complex Gameplay]] on a more abstract level promotes [[Varied Gameplay]] since players may both need to handle more different types of challenges (and have more different actions available) and need to vary their style of playing overtime. Having different phases is another way of having [[Varied Gameplay]] in a game, for example through the use of patterns such as [[Construction/Scoring Phase Shift]] or games with [[Planning Phases]] or [[Execution Phases]], or both. Focusing more specifically on games with [[Levels]], these can offer variety in gameplay through introducing [[Environmental Effects]]. [[Backtracking Levels]] is a production efficient way of proving [[Varied Gameplay]] over a [[Levels|Level]] as long as it isn't symmetric. |
| − | + | In general, [[Randomness]] is a way to promote [[Varied Gameplay]]. This can be done both within and between game instances, for example through applying [[Randomness]] on [[Enemies]], [[Ephemeral Goals]], [[Game Worlds]], [[Levels]], or [[Quests]]. | |
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=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
[[AI Players]], | [[AI Players]], | ||
[[Alien Space Bats]], | [[Alien Space Bats]], | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Converters]], | [[Converters]], | ||
[[Dynamic Alliances]], | [[Dynamic Alliances]], | ||
[[Ephemeral Goals]], | [[Ephemeral Goals]], | ||
[[Evolving Rule Sets]], | [[Evolving Rule Sets]], | ||
| − | |||
[[Freedom of Choice]], | [[Freedom of Choice]], | ||
[[Incompatible Goals]], | [[Incompatible Goals]], | ||
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[[Levels]], | [[Levels]], | ||
[[Orthogonal Differentiation]], | [[Orthogonal Differentiation]], | ||
| − | |||
[[Polyathlons]], | [[Polyathlons]], | ||
[[Privileged Movement]], | [[Privileged Movement]], | ||
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[[Persistent Game Worlds]] together with [[Construction]] or [[Creative Control]] | [[Persistent Game Worlds]] together with [[Construction]] or [[Creative Control]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Strategic Planning]] together with [[Replayability]] | [[Strategic Planning]] together with [[Replayability]] | ||
Revision as of 10:31, 25 September 2016
Variation in gameplay for a game, either within a single play session or between different play sessions.
This pattern is a still a stub.
Contents
Examples
Using the pattern
There are two main categories of Varied Gameplay: that which is varied between game instances and that which is varied within game instances. A game can of course aspire to provide both.
Asymmetric Abilities, Asymmetric Goals, Asymmetric Resource Distribution, and Asymmetric Starting Conditions typically provide Varied Gameplay between game instances through giving players different Abilities or Resources each time they play (limited by the number of different Abilities and Resources). This can be packaged as Asymmetric Roles and in Multiplayer Games this can take the form of Functional Roles. More positively from the players' perspective, Varied Gameplay can be achieved by presenting them with New Abilities, Sidegrades, and new or improved Skills. Competence Areas in general can support Varied Gameplay but more likely between players than for individual players. Flanking Routes lets players have difference between game instances in that they can use different routes to achieve their goals between the instances. Back-to-Back Game Sessions can be used to any game design that has Varied Gameplay between game instances to further provide Varied Gameplay although this is most often used in games with Asymmetric Starting Conditions to create Player Balance over game instances.
During game instances Varied Gameplay can be forced on players through Ability Losses and Cooldown effects since these can make players have to handle challenges in different ways during a game instance. Complex Gameplay on a more abstract level promotes Varied Gameplay since players may both need to handle more different types of challenges (and have more different actions available) and need to vary their style of playing overtime. Having different phases is another way of having Varied Gameplay in a game, for example through the use of patterns such as Construction/Scoring Phase Shift or games with Planning Phases or Execution Phases, or both. Focusing more specifically on games with Levels, these can offer variety in gameplay through introducing Environmental Effects. Backtracking Levels is a production efficient way of proving Varied Gameplay over a Level as long as it isn't symmetric.
In general, Randomness is a way to promote Varied Gameplay. This can be done both within and between game instances, for example through applying Randomness on Enemies, Ephemeral Goals, Game Worlds, Levels, or Quests.
Can Be Instantiated By
AI Players, Alien Space Bats, Converters, Dynamic Alliances, Ephemeral Goals, Evolving Rule Sets, Freedom of Choice, Incompatible Goals, Internal Conflicts, Internal Rivalry, Minigames, Levels, Orthogonal Differentiation, Polyathlons, Privileged Movement, Procedurally Generated Game Worlds, Producer-Consumer, Reconfigurable Game Worlds, Replayability, Selectable Sets of Goals, Social Roles, Temporary Abilities, Tile-Laying, Transfer of Control, Units, Varying Rule Sets, Vehicles, Vision Modes, Vulnerabilities
Abstract Player Construct Development together with New Abilities or Privileged Abilities
Achilles' Heels together with Enemies
Boss Monsters together with Privileged Abilities
Character Development together with Improved Abilities or New Abilities
Game Worlds together with Player Constructed Worlds
Geometric Progression together with Negative Feedback Loops
Open Destiny together with Limited Set of Actions
Persistent Game Worlds together with Construction or Creative Control
Strategic Planning together with Replayability
Weapons together with New Abilities
Potentially Conflicting With
Camping, Entrenching Gameplay, No-Ops, Quick Games, Sensory-Motoric Engrossment, Symmetric Resource Distribution
Can Be Modulated By
Diminishing Returns, Internal Rivalry, Supporting Goals, Testing Achievements
Diegetic Aspects
Narration Aspects
Consequences
Varied Gameplay can make games have Challenging Gameplay since players need to be able to handle shifting contexts (besides how challenging the actual activities are). This naturally affect how easy it is to haveGameplay Mastery of such a game.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Ability Losses, AI Players, Alien Space Bats, Asymmetric Abilities, Asymmetric Goals, Asymmetric Resource Distribution, Asymmetric Roles, Asymmetric Starting Conditions, Backtracking Levels, Back-to-Back Game Sessions, Competence Areas, Complex Gameplay, Construction/Scoring Phase Shift, Converters, Cooldown, Dynamic Alliances, Environmental Effects, Ephemeral Goals, Evolving Rule Sets, Execution Phases, Flanking Routes, Freedom of Choice, Incompatible Goals, Internal Conflicts, Internal Rivalry, Minigames, New Abilities, Levels, Orthogonal Differentiation, Planning Phases, Polyathlons, Privileged Movement, Procedurally Generated Game Worlds, Producer-Consumer, Reconfigurable Game Worlds, Replayability, Selectable Sets of Goals, Sidegrades, Skills, Social Roles, Temporary Abilities, Tile-Laying, Transfer of Control, Units, Varying Rule Sets, Vehicles, Vision Modes, Vulnerabilities
Abstract Player Construct Development together with New Abilities or Privileged Abilities
Achilles' Heels together with Enemies
Boss Monsters together with Privileged Abilities
Character Development together with Improved Abilities or New Abilities
Functional Roles together with Multiplayer Games
Game Worlds together with Player Constructed Worlds
Geometric Progression together with Negative Feedback Loops
Open Destiny together with Limited Set of Actions
Persistent Game Worlds together with Construction or Creative Control
Randomness together with Enemies, Ephemeral Goals, Game Worlds, Levels, or Quests
Strategic Planning together with Replayability
Weapons together with New Abilities
Can Be Modulated By
Diminishing Returns, Internal Rivalry, Supporting Goals, Testing Achievements
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
Camping, Entrenching Gameplay, No-Ops, Quick Games, Sensory-Motoric Engrossment, Symmetric Resource Distribution
History
An updated version of the pattern Varied Gameplay that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[1].
References
- ↑ Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.
Acknowledgements
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