Difference between revisions of "Controllers"
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[[Category:Staffan's current workpage]] | [[Category:Staffan's current workpage]] | ||
''Game elements fixed in particular locations in Game Worlds that allow actions or events not possible elsewhere.'' | ''Game elements fixed in particular locations in Game Worlds that allow actions or events not possible elsewhere.'' | ||
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=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| − | First-person shooters, such as Quake, often have doors that have to be opened through activating Controllers. | + | [[:Category:FPS Games|First-person shooters]], such as the [[Doom series|Doom]] or [[Quake series]], often have doors that have to be opened through activating [[Controllers]]. Abstract [[Controllers]] can be found in [[Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]] as players can construct bridges, command centers, and towers in certain places. |
| − | The cannons in Super Mario 64 are Controllers that allow Mario to reach areas otherwise inaccessible by shooting himself from | + | The cannons in [[Super Mario 64]] are Controllers that allow Mario to reach areas otherwise inaccessible by shooting himself from them. |
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== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
Controllers share many design possibilities with Tools. After choosing what Privileged Abilities the Controllers support, a game designer has to decide which Units or Avatars can use the Controller, any specific skills that are needed, and any Resources the Controller might consume. However, Controllers differ in some respects from Tools. First, they are public in the sense that they are stationary, and whoever is near it can activate it (unless specific skills or resources are needed). This means that any Gain Ownership goals related to the Controllers are linked to controlling the game area. Second, they may need Tools to be activated besides any requirements on skills and Resources. Third, as they often are presented as part of a large machine or system, they often can affect something outside the usual reach of Units' or Avatars' actions without breaking the Consistent Reality Logic of the game. The activation of Controllers can often be the completion of a goal or a Level. Further, the actions can be both Extended Actions (requiring the constant activation of a player) and Ultra-Powerful Events (for example when activating Moveable Tiles). | Controllers share many design possibilities with Tools. After choosing what Privileged Abilities the Controllers support, a game designer has to decide which Units or Avatars can use the Controller, any specific skills that are needed, and any Resources the Controller might consume. However, Controllers differ in some respects from Tools. First, they are public in the sense that they are stationary, and whoever is near it can activate it (unless specific skills or resources are needed). This means that any Gain Ownership goals related to the Controllers are linked to controlling the game area. Second, they may need Tools to be activated besides any requirements on skills and Resources. Third, as they often are presented as part of a large machine or system, they often can affect something outside the usual reach of Units' or Avatars' actions without breaking the Consistent Reality Logic of the game. The activation of Controllers can often be the completion of a goal or a Level. Further, the actions can be both Extended Actions (requiring the constant activation of a player) and Ultra-Powerful Events (for example when activating Moveable Tiles). | ||
| − | The archetypical type of Controller is a Button. | + | The archetypical type of Controller is a Button. |
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[[Switches]] and [[Installations]] are two specific types of [[Controllers]]. | [[Switches]] and [[Installations]] are two specific types of [[Controllers]]. | ||
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[[Installations]] | [[Installations]] | ||
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| + | However, [[Controllers]] do not have to be tangible game elements. They can instead be areas where the [[Construction]] or destruction of game elements are possible. One examples of this are the boxes of construction material in [[Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]] which can be assembled to specific game elements, such as bridges or bases. | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
[[Extended Actions]], | [[Extended Actions]], | ||
[[Tools]] | [[Tools]] | ||
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=== Interface Aspects === | === Interface Aspects === | ||
| + | Some [[Controllers]], especially [[Installations]], may switch players' interfaces to better help support the activities and actions they provide. This may be changing [[HUD Interfaces]] or switching from [[First-Person Views]] to [[Third-Person Views]] or vice versa. Examples of both of these possibilities exist in the [[Battlefield series]]. [[Half-Life 2]] does the same, and has a magnetic crane which provides a different view point for players since the scale it works on is different from the normal one in the game. | ||
=== Narrative Aspects === | === Narrative Aspects === | ||
| − | Compared to [[Tools]], [[Controllers]] (and especially [[Switches]]) let game designers structure where and when players can perform actions which functionally for them are [[New Abilities]]. | + | Compared to [[Tools]], [[Controllers]] (and especially [[Switches]]) let game designers structure where and when players can perform actions which functionally for them are [[New Abilities]]. This can be used to progress [[Predetermined Story Structures]] and when [[Controllers]] are used in this way their effects are typically both [[Irreversible Events]] and [[Ultra-Powerful Events]]. |
| − | This can be used to progress [[Predetermined Story Structures]] and when [[Controllers]] are used in this way their effects are typically both [[Irreversible Events]] and [[Ultra-Powerful Events]]. | + | |
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
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== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
=== Can Instantiate === | === Can Instantiate === | ||
| + | [[Construction]], | ||
[[Irreversible Events]], | [[Irreversible Events]], | ||
[[New Abilities]], | [[New Abilities]], | ||
Revision as of 16:40, 10 May 2011
Game elements fixed in particular locations in Game Worlds that allow actions or events not possible elsewhere.
Contents
Examples
First-person shooters, such as the Doom or Quake series, often have doors that have to be opened through activating Controllers. Abstract Controllers can be found in Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory as players can construct bridges, command centers, and towers in certain places.
The cannons in Super Mario 64 are Controllers that allow Mario to reach areas otherwise inaccessible by shooting himself from them.
Using the pattern
Controllers share many design possibilities with Tools. After choosing what Privileged Abilities the Controllers support, a game designer has to decide which Units or Avatars can use the Controller, any specific skills that are needed, and any Resources the Controller might consume. However, Controllers differ in some respects from Tools. First, they are public in the sense that they are stationary, and whoever is near it can activate it (unless specific skills or resources are needed). This means that any Gain Ownership goals related to the Controllers are linked to controlling the game area. Second, they may need Tools to be activated besides any requirements on skills and Resources. Third, as they often are presented as part of a large machine or system, they often can affect something outside the usual reach of Units' or Avatars' actions without breaking the Consistent Reality Logic of the game. The activation of Controllers can often be the completion of a goal or a Level. Further, the actions can be both Extended Actions (requiring the constant activation of a player) and Ultra-Powerful Events (for example when activating Moveable Tiles).
The archetypical type of Controller is a Button.
Switches and Installations are two specific types of Controllers.
Effects that are often binary may often only need Switches rather than more complex Controllers. Examples of such effects include modifying Inaccessible Areas, finishing Levels, or initiating Quick Travel. This may also include Environmental Effects but this depends of if their geographical spread are fixed or not.
However, Controllers do not have to be tangible game elements. They can instead be areas where the Construction or destruction of game elements are possible. One examples of this are the boxes of construction material in Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory which can be assembled to specific game elements, such as bridges or bases.
Can Be Modulated By
Interface Aspects
Some Controllers, especially Installations, may switch players' interfaces to better help support the activities and actions they provide. This may be changing HUD Interfaces or switching from First-Person Views to Third-Person Views or vice versa. Examples of both of these possibilities exist in the Battlefield series. Half-Life 2 does the same, and has a magnetic crane which provides a different view point for players since the scale it works on is different from the normal one in the game.
Narrative Aspects
Compared to Tools, Controllers (and especially Switches) let game designers structure where and when players can perform actions which functionally for them are New Abilities. This can be used to progress Predetermined Story Structures and when Controllers are used in this way their effects are typically both Irreversible Events and Ultra-Powerful Events.
Consequences
Controllers are natural Strategic Locations in Game Worlds and Levels since having access to them, which may require Area Control, gives players or Teams access to New Abilities. In Multiplayer Games this can become Privileged Abilities and spawn goals of Area Control. Controllers that are Resource Generators provide a way to have Renewable Resources in games and create Resource Locations.
As mentioned above, Controllers can depending on their design modulate Alarms, Environmental Effects, Inaccessible Areas, Levels, or Quick Travel.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Construction, Irreversible Events, New Abilities, Predetermined Story Structures, Strategic Locations, Ultra-Powerful Events
with Multiplayer Games
Area Control, Privileged Abilities
with Resource Generators
Renewable Resources, Resource Locations
Can Modulate
Area Control, Alarms, Environmental Effects, Game Worlds, Inaccessible Areas, Levels Quick Travel
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Extended Actions, Resource Generators, Tools
Possible Closure Effects
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Potentially Conflicting With
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History
An updated version of the pattern Controllers 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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