Difference between revisions of "Testing Achievements"
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[[Category:Achievement Patterns]] | [[Category:Achievement Patterns]] | ||
[[Category:Patterns]] | [[Category:Patterns]] | ||
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[[Category:Needs revision]] | [[Category:Needs revision]] | ||
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[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]] | [[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]] | ||
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''Achievements given simply by having tested some action in the game.'' | ''Achievements given simply by having tested some action in the game.'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Many computer games offer different ways of playing them, both in regards to which quests to strive toward completing and in regards to which classes or abilities to choose to use. Further, they may offer smaller semi-independent activities that are not necessary to do but offers another type of experience during game sessions. To make it more likely that players test these opportunities and not simply stick to one path, game designers can offer achievements based primarily on the fact that players have tested a quest, class, functionality, or activity. | ||
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| + | The action RPG [[Torchlight]] has the achievements ''Fetch a Fair Price'', ''Shape-Shifter'', and ''Pet Trainer'' to encourage players to use the functionality their pets provide, while the achievement ''Mod Squad'' is rewarded for players installing a mod to the game<ref name="Torchlight"/>. [[Left 4 Dead 2]] has a similar [[Testing Achievements|Testing Achievement]] as ''Mod Squad'' through the ''Mutant Overlord'' which is given for playing 6 mutations (mods)<ref name="L4D2"/>. | ||
| − | + | Of the many achievements in [[World of Warcraft]], a few are [[Testing Achievements]]. These include ''I Found One!'' for looting a brightly colored egg during the ''Noblegarden'' seasonal event, ''Represent'' for equipping any tabard, ''Shave and a Haircut'' for visiting a barber and getting cosmetic changes to one's avatar, and | |
| − | + | ''Dual Talent Specialization'' for testing the game's functionality of offering a different gaming experience with the same character<ref name="WoW"/>. | |
| − | [[Achievements]] | + | Although having aspects of grinding, the achievement ''Head of the Class'' in [[Team Fortress 2]] forces players to test all classes available in the game and thereby experience the different abilities available<ref name="TF2"/>. Although constructing building can be difficult to to enemy interference, helping a team mate construct one to get the ''Land Grab'' achievement qualifies as a [[Testing Achievements]] as well since it is not to difficulty to succeed with in well-chosen locations. |
| − | = | + | [[Fallout: New Vegas]] of the [[Fallout series]] encourages players to get a companion through rewarding them with the ''Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal'' achievements. It also has an achievement each for playing 10 round of Roulette, Blackjack, and Slots: ''Little Wheel'', ''Double Down'', and ''One Armed Bandit''<ref name="F:NV"/>. |
| − | == | + | == Using the pattern == |
| + | [[Testing Achievements]] are typically designed through selecting some of the optional activities supported by the game, one that might otherwise be overlooked if players are focused on one strategy of completing or winning the game. However, for games with [[Varied Gameplay]] one can construct [[Testing Achievements]] to make players test other ways of playing the game, so these types of [[Achievements]] can also be used to encouraged [[Varied Gameplay]] if the difference in gameplay is under players' choice (rather than the game varying the gameplay between different parts). Even if the required actions by players often are trivially easy in [[Testing Achievements]], they can be made even easier by awarding them simply for trying - actions do not have to be successfully performed for the achievement to be given. | ||
| + | |||
| + | What differs [[Testing Achievements]] from [[Goal Achievements]] is simply that even if performing the activity could be seen as a goal, it is a trivial goal to succeed with and the main requirement is that the player is willing to try the activity (and does not need to successfully complete it). However, [[Testing Achievements]] and [[Goal Achievements]] can be used in pair - the first for trying to perform some activity and the second for showing that one has mastered that specific activity through reaching a non-trivial goal. An example of this is the achievements ''Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal'' and ''The Whole Gang's Here'' in [[Fallout: New Vegas]] which are given for having recruited any [[Companions|Companion]] and having recruited all respectively. [[Grind Achievements]] may be constructed from requiring players to perform the same activity as one used in a [[Testing Achievement|Testing Achievements]] but repeatedly performing it (in practice combining the [[Testing Achievement|Testing Achievements]] with a [[Collection|Collections]]). | ||
| − | + | All types of [[Achievements]] can be used to create [[Meta Games]] based on [[Collections]] goals. [[Testing Achievements]] are in this respect low hanging fruits that can be used to increase the number of [[Achievements]] without demanding an especially high increase in effort needed to complete [[Collections]]. | |
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
| − | [[ | + | Like other types of [[Achievements]], [[Testing Achievements]] can be seen as a type of [[Rewards|Reward]] and a basis for [[Meta Games]]. [[Testing Achievements]] can, unlike other types of [[Achievements]], support [[Smooth Learning Curves]] since they can provide motivation to players during the start of engaging in some type activity when players are learning and [[Experimenting]]. |
| − | + | For games with [[Varied Gameplay]], [[Testing Achievements]] can be used to make players at least test the different ways of playing for a short while. This may promote [[Replayability]] and can work against [[Grinding]], but is probably more likely to do so when combined with [[Goal Achievements]] to provide [[Rewards]] both for beginning to play a certain way and for successfully completing the game or [[Quests|Quest]] in a game by playing a certain way. | |
| − | + | While [[Testing Achievements]] can work against [[Grinding]] and by continuation [[Grind Achievements]] this can be inverted in to ways so [[Testing Achievements]] cause these two patterns to exist. The first case is when [[Testing Achievements]] are combined with [[Collections]] (subverting the idea of simply testing something once to encouraging it to be tested many times) while the second case occurs when there are too many [[Testing Achievements]] where the activity of testing can become repetitive in itself even if what is tested differs. | |
| + | == Relations == | ||
=== Can Instantiate === | === Can Instantiate === | ||
| + | [[Achievements]], [[Experimenting]], [[Meta Games]], [[Replayability]], [[Rewards]] | ||
| − | ==== with | + | ==== with [[Collections]] ==== |
| + | [[Grind Achievements]], | ||
| + | [[Grinding]] | ||
=== Can Modulate === | === Can Modulate === | ||
| + | [[Companions]], [[Quests]], [[Smooth Learning Curves]], [[Varied Gameplay]] | ||
=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
| + | - | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
| − | + | - | |
| − | + | ||
=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| + | [[Grind Achievements]], | ||
| + | [[Grinding]] | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
| Line 48: | Line 56: | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| + | <references> | ||
| + | <ref name="F:NV">[http://steamcommunity.com/stats/Fallout:NewVegas/achievements/ List of Fallout:New Vegas achievements in the Steam Achievements system] and percentages of gamers receiving them.</ref> | ||
| + | <ref name="L4D2">[http://steamcommunity.com/stats/L4D2/achievements/ List of Left 4 Dead 2 achievements in the Steam Achievements system] and percentages of gamers receiving them.</ref> | ||
| + | <ref name="TF2">[http://steamcommunity.com/stats/TF2/achievements/ List of Team Fortress 2 achievements in the Steam Achievements system] and percentages of gamers receiving them.</ref> | ||
| + | <ref name="Torchlight">[http://steamcommunity.com/stats/Torchlight/achievements/ List of Torchlight achievements in the Steam Achievements system] and percentages of gamers receiving them.</ref> | ||
| + | <ref name="WoW">[http://www.wowwiki.com/Achievements Main page on WoWWiki for achievements].</ref> | ||
| + | </references> | ||
Latest revision as of 08:23, 4 August 2022
Achievements given simply by having tested some action in the game.
Many computer games offer different ways of playing them, both in regards to which quests to strive toward completing and in regards to which classes or abilities to choose to use. Further, they may offer smaller semi-independent activities that are not necessary to do but offers another type of experience during game sessions. To make it more likely that players test these opportunities and not simply stick to one path, game designers can offer achievements based primarily on the fact that players have tested a quest, class, functionality, or activity.
Contents
Examples
The action RPG Torchlight has the achievements Fetch a Fair Price, Shape-Shifter, and Pet Trainer to encourage players to use the functionality their pets provide, while the achievement Mod Squad is rewarded for players installing a mod to the game[1]. Left 4 Dead 2 has a similar Testing Achievement as Mod Squad through the Mutant Overlord which is given for playing 6 mutations (mods)[2].
Of the many achievements in World of Warcraft, a few are Testing Achievements. These include I Found One! for looting a brightly colored egg during the Noblegarden seasonal event, Represent for equipping any tabard, Shave and a Haircut for visiting a barber and getting cosmetic changes to one's avatar, and Dual Talent Specialization for testing the game's functionality of offering a different gaming experience with the same character[3].
Although having aspects of grinding, the achievement Head of the Class in Team Fortress 2 forces players to test all classes available in the game and thereby experience the different abilities available[4]. Although constructing building can be difficult to to enemy interference, helping a team mate construct one to get the Land Grab achievement qualifies as a Testing Achievements as well since it is not to difficulty to succeed with in well-chosen locations.
Fallout: New Vegas of the Fallout series encourages players to get a companion through rewarding them with the Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal achievements. It also has an achievement each for playing 10 round of Roulette, Blackjack, and Slots: Little Wheel, Double Down, and One Armed Bandit[5].
Using the pattern
Testing Achievements are typically designed through selecting some of the optional activities supported by the game, one that might otherwise be overlooked if players are focused on one strategy of completing or winning the game. However, for games with Varied Gameplay one can construct Testing Achievements to make players test other ways of playing the game, so these types of Achievements can also be used to encouraged Varied Gameplay if the difference in gameplay is under players' choice (rather than the game varying the gameplay between different parts). Even if the required actions by players often are trivially easy in Testing Achievements, they can be made even easier by awarding them simply for trying - actions do not have to be successfully performed for the achievement to be given.
What differs Testing Achievements from Goal Achievements is simply that even if performing the activity could be seen as a goal, it is a trivial goal to succeed with and the main requirement is that the player is willing to try the activity (and does not need to successfully complete it). However, Testing Achievements and Goal Achievements can be used in pair - the first for trying to perform some activity and the second for showing that one has mastered that specific activity through reaching a non-trivial goal. An example of this is the achievements Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal and The Whole Gang's Here in Fallout: New Vegas which are given for having recruited any Companion and having recruited all respectively. Grind Achievements may be constructed from requiring players to perform the same activity as one used in a Testing Achievements but repeatedly performing it (in practice combining the Testing Achievements with a Collections).
All types of Achievements can be used to create Meta Games based on Collections goals. Testing Achievements are in this respect low hanging fruits that can be used to increase the number of Achievements without demanding an especially high increase in effort needed to complete Collections.
Consequences
Like other types of Achievements, Testing Achievements can be seen as a type of Reward and a basis for Meta Games. Testing Achievements can, unlike other types of Achievements, support Smooth Learning Curves since they can provide motivation to players during the start of engaging in some type activity when players are learning and Experimenting.
For games with Varied Gameplay, Testing Achievements can be used to make players at least test the different ways of playing for a short while. This may promote Replayability and can work against Grinding, but is probably more likely to do so when combined with Goal Achievements to provide Rewards both for beginning to play a certain way and for successfully completing the game or Quest in a game by playing a certain way.
While Testing Achievements can work against Grinding and by continuation Grind Achievements this can be inverted in to ways so Testing Achievements cause these two patterns to exist. The first case is when Testing Achievements are combined with Collections (subverting the idea of simply testing something once to encouraging it to be tested many times) while the second case occurs when there are too many Testing Achievements where the activity of testing can become repetitive in itself even if what is tested differs.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Achievements, Experimenting, Meta Games, Replayability, Rewards
with Collections
Can Modulate
Companions, Quests, Smooth Learning Curves, Varied Gameplay
Can Be Instantiated By
-
Can Be Modulated By
-
Potentially Conflicting With
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
- ↑ List of Torchlight achievements in the Steam Achievements system and percentages of gamers receiving them.
- ↑ List of Left 4 Dead 2 achievements in the Steam Achievements system and percentages of gamers receiving them.
- ↑ Main page on WoWWiki for achievements.
- ↑ List of Team Fortress 2 achievements in the Steam Achievements system and percentages of gamers receiving them.
- ↑ List of Fallout:New Vegas achievements in the Steam Achievements system and percentages of gamers receiving them.
