Difference between revisions of "Crafting"
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== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| − | The components of [[Crafting]] is what is required to engage in it and what | + | The components of [[Crafting]] is what is required to engage in it and what [[Game Items]] are constructed from the action. |
| − | [[Crafting]] consists of transforming something into something else, so some form of [[Resources]] that are consumed in the process is very common. To limit who can do the [[Crafting]], or when it can be done, game designs can require use of [[Tools]] or that those doing the action have [[Privileged Abilities]] or specific [[Skills]]. Making use of [[Installations]] for [[Crafting]] (as [[Minecraft]] does for larger items), makes the ability to craft into a [[Location-Fixed Abilities|Location-Fixed Ability]]. | + | [[Crafting]] consists of transforming something into something else, so some form of [[Resources]] that are consumed in the process is very common. To limit who can do the [[Crafting]], or when it can be done, game designs can require use of [[Tools]] or that those doing the action have [[Privileged Abilities]] or specific [[Skills]]. Making use of [[Installations]] for [[Crafting]] (as [[Minecraft]] does for larger items), makes the ability to craft into a [[Location-Fixed Abilities|Location-Fixed Ability]]. Making the [[Construction]] of each [[Game Items|Game Item]] have a [[Development Time]] or require [[Extended Actions]] can modulate how often new items can occur. Besides allowing the [[Crafting]] to begin with, the use of [[Skills]] can also be used to influence the quality of the produced [[Game Items]], the use of [[Resources]], and the time taken to finish the action. |
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| − | Besides allowing the [[Crafting]] to begin with, the use of [[Skills]] can also be used to influence | + | |
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| + | Any type of [[Game Items]] can be the result of [[Crafting]], but [[Tools]] (and [[Installations]]) is worth mentioning as a subcategory since it may be required for players to engage in other types of [[Crafting]] and thereby can set up development chains where the [[New Abilities]] gained can be seen as a form of [[Character Development]]. For some types of [[Game Items]], e.g. [[Ammunition]], it can be worth considering that each completed [[Crafting]] action provides not one but several instances of the [[Game Items]]. | ||
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Since [[Crafting]] typically concerns manipulating and transforming [[Game Items]] that one has, the interface for [[Crafting]] is quite often part of the interface for [[Inventories]]. | Since [[Crafting]] typically concerns manipulating and transforming [[Game Items]] that one has, the interface for [[Crafting]] is quite often part of the interface for [[Inventories]]. | ||
| − | == | + | == Consequences == |
| + | [[Crafting]] provides a way for players or other [[Agents]] to engage in the [[Construction]] of [[Game Items]] in [[Game Worlds]]. When the [[Crafting]] is possible to do by players, as for example in [[Minecraft]] or [[Slaves to Armok II: Dwarf Fortress]], this gives them a [[Creative Control]] and [[Constructive Gameplay]]. The knowledge of what [[Game Items]] can be construct, and what is required to do this, can be [[Strategic Knowledge]]. | ||
| + | Being an activity that does not inherently need to have risks involved or require player skills, [[Crafting]] can easily open up for [[Grinding]]. | ||
| − | + | In games with [[Persistent Game Worlds]], [[Crafting]] can disrupt both the economy within the game and the [[Player Balance]] if not the effort to create [[Game Items]] is balanced with the value of them. | |
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== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
=== Can Instantiate === | === Can Instantiate === | ||
| + | [[Construction]] | ||
| + | [[Constructive Gameplay]], | ||
[[Creative Control]], | [[Creative Control]], | ||
[[Diegetic Consistency]], | [[Diegetic Consistency]], | ||
| + | [[Grinding]], | ||
[[Strategic Knowledge]] | [[Strategic Knowledge]] | ||
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=== Can Modulate === | === Can Modulate === | ||
[[Game Items]], | [[Game Items]], | ||
| − | [[Game Worlds]] | + | [[Game Worlds]], |
| + | [[Persistent Game Worlds]] | ||
=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
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=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| − | + | [[Player Balance]] in games with [[Persistent Game Worlds]] | |
== History == | == History == | ||
Revision as of 11:10, 17 April 2011
The activity of creating game items.
Crafting is the activity of creating game items within game worlds through actions. By allowing these activities, games explain how the items come to be in the worlds as well as offer players the possibility to engage in a constructive activity.
Contents
Examples
Crafting is most often found in Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games such as Entropia Universe, Eve Online, Ultima Online, and World of Warcraft. Here, players can craft weapons, armor, and tools depending on the setting.
Players of Slaves to Armok II: Dwarf Fortress start with a small cache of items but need to craft more for their dwarves having a chance to survive; in Minecraft players need to craft all tools they wish to use. Zombie Lane allows players to buy more powerful weapons that the default shovel, but also that they can create special types of weapons through Crafting.
The Fable series let players engage in mini-games that are diegetically presented as crafting but doesn't actually create game items.
Using the pattern
The components of Crafting is what is required to engage in it and what Game Items are constructed from the action.
Crafting consists of transforming something into something else, so some form of Resources that are consumed in the process is very common. To limit who can do the Crafting, or when it can be done, game designs can require use of Tools or that those doing the action have Privileged Abilities or specific Skills. Making use of Installations for Crafting (as Minecraft does for larger items), makes the ability to craft into a Location-Fixed Ability. Making the Construction of each Game Item have a Development Time or require Extended Actions can modulate how often new items can occur. Besides allowing the Crafting to begin with, the use of Skills can also be used to influence the quality of the produced Game Items, the use of Resources, and the time taken to finish the action.
Any type of Game Items can be the result of Crafting, but Tools (and Installations) is worth mentioning as a subcategory since it may be required for players to engage in other types of Crafting and thereby can set up development chains where the New Abilities gained can be seen as a form of Character Development. For some types of Game Items, e.g. Ammunition, it can be worth considering that each completed Crafting action provides not one but several instances of the Game Items.
which is common in games using Converters in Producer-Consumer chains
Diegetic Aspects
Crafting allows players to help create the content in Game Worlds and is therefore a Diegetic Pattern.
Interface Aspects
Since Crafting typically concerns manipulating and transforming Game Items that one has, the interface for Crafting is quite often part of the interface for Inventories.
Consequences
Crafting provides a way for players or other Agents to engage in the Construction of Game Items in Game Worlds. When the Crafting is possible to do by players, as for example in Minecraft or Slaves to Armok II: Dwarf Fortress, this gives them a Creative Control and Constructive Gameplay. The knowledge of what Game Items can be construct, and what is required to do this, can be Strategic Knowledge.
Being an activity that does not inherently need to have risks involved or require player skills, Crafting can easily open up for Grinding.
In games with Persistent Game Worlds, Crafting can disrupt both the economy within the game and the Player Balance if not the effort to create Game Items is balanced with the value of them.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Construction Constructive Gameplay, Creative Control, Diegetic Consistency, Grinding, Strategic Knowledge
with Tools
Can Modulate
Game Items, Game Worlds, Persistent Game Worlds
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Development Time, Extended Actions, Privileged Abilities, Resources, Skills
Possible Closure Effects
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Potentially Conflicting With
Player Balance in games with Persistent Game Worlds
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
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Acknowledgements
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