Difference between revisions of "Switches"
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
Buttons and levers on the walls are [[Switches]] used to open doors, walls, and sections of the floor in the early first-person [[:Category:Computer-based Roleplaying Games|Computer Roleplaying]] game [[Dungeon Master]]. The early installments in the [[Doom series]] had [[Switches]] that temporarily opened secret doors that could only be reached by quickly moving some distances within the games. Both the [[Elder Scrolls series|Elder Scrolls]] and makes use of [[Switches]] in the form of pressure plates to activate physics-based "swing object" traps. [[Fallout 3]] and [[Fallout: New Vegas]] uses pressure plates in the same fashion, although some of them are linked to "grenade bouquets". | Buttons and levers on the walls are [[Switches]] used to open doors, walls, and sections of the floor in the early first-person [[:Category:Computer-based Roleplaying Games|Computer Roleplaying]] game [[Dungeon Master]]. The early installments in the [[Doom series]] had [[Switches]] that temporarily opened secret doors that could only be reached by quickly moving some distances within the games. Both the [[Elder Scrolls series|Elder Scrolls]] and makes use of [[Switches]] in the form of pressure plates to activate physics-based "swing object" traps. [[Fallout 3]] and [[Fallout: New Vegas]] uses pressure plates in the same fashion, although some of them are linked to "grenade bouquets". | ||
| + | |||
| + | The activation of various types of machinery in the [[Left 4 Dead series]] let players proceed in the levels of the game, but also attract the attention of infected humans wanting to kill the players. | ||
The puzzles in the [[Portal series]] often consist of accessible boxes than can then be put on [[Switches]] to activate various elements on levels. In the co-op mode of [[Portal 2]] one player can sometimes fill this role while the other player performs some necessary action. | The puzzles in the [[Portal series]] often consist of accessible boxes than can then be put on [[Switches]] to activate various elements on levels. In the co-op mode of [[Portal 2]] one player can sometimes fill this role while the other player performs some necessary action. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Levels]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Game Worlds]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Varying Rule Sets]] | ||
== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| Line 26: | Line 34: | ||
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
Buttons are simple Controllers that allow for a limited range of actions. Their use is trivial to understand, although the effect of activating a Button may be complex and have long-term consequences. | Buttons are simple Controllers that allow for a limited range of actions. Their use is trivial to understand, although the effect of activating a Button may be complex and have long-term consequences. | ||
| + | |||
== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
=== Can Instantiate === | === Can Instantiate === | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Traces]], |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
[[Varying Rule Sets]] | [[Varying Rule Sets]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | ==== with | + | ==== with [[Obstacles]] ==== |
| + | [[Quick Returns]] | ||
=== Can Modulate === | === Can Modulate === | ||
| + | [[Game Worlds]], | ||
| + | [[Levels]] | ||
=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
| + | [[Irreversible Events]] | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
| + | - | ||
=== Possible Closure Effects === | === Possible Closure Effects === | ||
| + | - | ||
=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| + | - | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Revision as of 16:39, 9 May 2011
Game elements that players can use to activate events or actions in game worlds.
Contents
Examples
Buttons and levers on the walls are Switches used to open doors, walls, and sections of the floor in the early first-person Computer Roleplaying game Dungeon Master. The early installments in the Doom series had Switches that temporarily opened secret doors that could only be reached by quickly moving some distances within the games. Both the Elder Scrolls and makes use of Switches in the form of pressure plates to activate physics-based "swing object" traps. Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas uses pressure plates in the same fashion, although some of them are linked to "grenade bouquets".
The activation of various types of machinery in the Left 4 Dead series let players proceed in the levels of the game, but also attract the attention of infected humans wanting to kill the players.
The puzzles in the Portal series often consist of accessible boxes than can then be put on Switches to activate various elements on levels. In the co-op mode of Portal 2 one player can sometimes fill this role while the other player performs some necessary action.
Using the pattern
Buttons can be sticky, i. e. they stay pressed allowing the players to know if the Button is activated or not. If the Button can be pressed again to inactivate it, this can be used to create Reversability, while those that cannot be changed back enforce Irreversible Actions. Buttons, which are not sticky, can cycle through a series of states, for example, pressing a button repeatedly can let a player decide which of the three doors are open.
Diegetic Aspects
Interface Aspects
Narrative Aspects
Consequences
Buttons are simple Controllers that allow for a limited range of actions. Their use is trivial to understand, although the effect of activating a Button may be complex and have long-term consequences.
Relations
Can Instantiate
with Obstacles
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
-
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
-
History
An updated version of the pattern Buttons 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
-
