Difference between revisions of "Score Tracks"
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[[Category:Needs references]] | [[Category:Needs references]] | ||
[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]] | [[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]] | ||
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''A track to show players' scores.'' | ''A track to show players' scores.'' | ||
| − | + | Games with scores need a way for keeping track of these. While simply having a token for each point (and possibly some with higher values) is the most obvious reusable solution for non-computerized games, having [[Score Tracks]] on which each players has one lowers the number of tokens need. | |
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| − | [[Pachisi]] (and its offspring [[Ludo]]) is an early example of a game with [[Score Tracks]]. They are still quite common in [[:Category:Board Games|Board Games]], be it casual [[:Category:Party Games|Party Games]] such as [[Balderdash]] or [[Pictionary]], or more complex games such as [[Amun-Re]], [[Carcassonne]], [[Dominant Species]], [[Inca Empire]], [[Egizia]], and [[Ursuppe]]. They are not so common in [[:Category:Computer Games]] since players' scores can there be displayed more compactly in their own individual areas of the interface with is updated by the computer as gameplay progresses. | + | [[Pachisi]] (and its offspring [[Ludo]]) is an early example of a game with [[Score Tracks]]. They are still quite common in [[:Category:Board Games|Board Games]], be it casual [[:Category:Party Games|Party Games]] such as [[Balderdash]] or [[Pictionary]], or more complex games such as [[Amun-Re]], [[Carcassonne]], [[Dominant Species]], [[Inca Empire]], [[Egizia]], and [[Ursuppe]]. They are not so common in [[:Category:Computer Games|Computer Games]] since players' scores can there be displayed more compactly in their own individual areas of the interface with is updated by the computer as gameplay progresses. |
== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| + | [[Score Tracks]] can be used to reduce the number of [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] that needs to be included in a game, but does not eliminate the need for them in regards to [[Scores]]. The actual design of them is a rather trivial combination of a [[Game Boards|Game Board]] (or part of one) and some [[Tokens]], mainly concerning how many spots should exist, if they should be grouped, and how to handle players reaching the end of them (this is quite often solved by simply letting players begin a new lap). While the amount of [[Movement]] one should make on [[Score Tracks]] is typically given, i.e. the amount of points on has just achieved, slight variations are possible. This mainly depends on if several pieces are allowed to share the same spot. [[Ursuppe]] for example lets players who reach an already occupied spot ''skip'' ahead to the first free spot on the track. | ||
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| + | [[Score Tracks]] can both be modulated by [[Tiebreakers]] and be used as [[Tiebreakers]]. The first case is a necessity when games as supposed to only have one winner. The use of [[Score Tracks]] as [[Tiebreakers]] are probably most common in determining the exact turn order in games with [[Turn Taking]], e.g. [[Egizia]] and [[Ursuppe]] - for this reason the former of the two examples keeps track of players' position with the same spot. The use of [[Secret Scoring Mechanisms]] somewhat diminished the importance of [[Score Tracks]] since there are now other sources for the final [[Scores|Score]] all players will have. | ||
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| + | [[Score Tracks]] can also be used to determine the order in which turn should be taken each round, providing a game with [[Varying Turn Orders]]. [[Golf]] is probably the most known example of this mechanism even if [[Golf]] doesn't use one designated [[Score Tracks|Score Track]]. This combination can give rise to [[Flip-Flop Events]]. | ||
=== Diegetic Aspects === | === Diegetic Aspects === | ||
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=== Interface Aspects === | === Interface Aspects === | ||
| + | [[Score Tracks]] is an interface pattern. | ||
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
| + | [[Score Tracks]] is a way to handle [[Scores]] in games and can reduce the [[Excise]] related to this somewhat. Updating the values on the [[Score Tracks]] is a form of [[Movement]] and this can be seen as a form of [[Races|Race]]. Besides the already mentioned effects that [[Score Tracks]] can have in relation to [[Bookkeeping Tokens]] and [[Tiebreakers]], they also provide [[Game State Overviews]] regarding the [[Scores]] as they are [[Game State Indicators]]. This can lead players to form [[Temporary Alliances|Temporary]] and [[Uncommitted Alliances]] with the aim to [[Beat the Leader]]. It can also make people try [[Speedending]] game instances if they are in the lead but see that they will be overtaken by others soon. | ||
== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
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=== Can Instantiate === | === Can Instantiate === | ||
| + | [[Beat the Leader]], | ||
| + | [[Game State Indicators]], | ||
| + | [[Game State Overviews]], | ||
| + | [[Movement]], | ||
| + | [[Races]], | ||
| + | [[Speedending]], | ||
| + | [[Temporary Alliances]], | ||
| + | [[Uncommitted Alliances]], | ||
| + | [[Varying Turn Orders]] | ||
| − | ==== with | + | ==== with [[Varying Turn Orders]] ==== |
| + | [[Flip-Flop Events]] | ||
=== Can Modulate === | === Can Modulate === | ||
| + | [[Bookkeeping Tokens]], | ||
| + | [[Excise]], | ||
| + | [[Game Boards]], | ||
| + | [[Scores]], | ||
| + | [[Tiebreakers]], | ||
| + | [[Turn Taking]] | ||
=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
| + | [[Game Boards]], | ||
| + | [[Tokens]] | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
| + | [[Secret Scoring Mechanisms]], | ||
| + | [[Tiebreakers]] | ||
=== Possible Closure Effects === | === Possible Closure Effects === | ||
| + | - | ||
=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| + | - | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Latest revision as of 09:34, 21 September 2016
A track to show players' scores.
Games with scores need a way for keeping track of these. While simply having a token for each point (and possibly some with higher values) is the most obvious reusable solution for non-computerized games, having Score Tracks on which each players has one lowers the number of tokens need.
Contents
Examples
Pachisi (and its offspring Ludo) is an early example of a game with Score Tracks. They are still quite common in Board Games, be it casual Party Games such as Balderdash or Pictionary, or more complex games such as Amun-Re, Carcassonne, Dominant Species, Inca Empire, Egizia, and Ursuppe. They are not so common in Computer Games since players' scores can there be displayed more compactly in their own individual areas of the interface with is updated by the computer as gameplay progresses.
Using the pattern
Score Tracks can be used to reduce the number of Bookkeeping Tokens that needs to be included in a game, but does not eliminate the need for them in regards to Scores. The actual design of them is a rather trivial combination of a Game Board (or part of one) and some Tokens, mainly concerning how many spots should exist, if they should be grouped, and how to handle players reaching the end of them (this is quite often solved by simply letting players begin a new lap). While the amount of Movement one should make on Score Tracks is typically given, i.e. the amount of points on has just achieved, slight variations are possible. This mainly depends on if several pieces are allowed to share the same spot. Ursuppe for example lets players who reach an already occupied spot skip ahead to the first free spot on the track.
Score Tracks can both be modulated by Tiebreakers and be used as Tiebreakers. The first case is a necessity when games as supposed to only have one winner. The use of Score Tracks as Tiebreakers are probably most common in determining the exact turn order in games with Turn Taking, e.g. Egizia and Ursuppe - for this reason the former of the two examples keeps track of players' position with the same spot. The use of Secret Scoring Mechanisms somewhat diminished the importance of Score Tracks since there are now other sources for the final Score all players will have.
Score Tracks can also be used to determine the order in which turn should be taken each round, providing a game with Varying Turn Orders. Golf is probably the most known example of this mechanism even if Golf doesn't use one designated Score Track. This combination can give rise to Flip-Flop Events.
Diegetic Aspects
Building on earlier sources[1], Parlett argues that it "seems intuitively obvious" that the use of Score Tracks led to the development of games with Races[2], both on a gameplay and thematic level.
Interface Aspects
Score Tracks is an interface pattern.
Consequences
Score Tracks is a way to handle Scores in games and can reduce the Excise related to this somewhat. Updating the values on the Score Tracks is a form of Movement and this can be seen as a form of Race. Besides the already mentioned effects that Score Tracks can have in relation to Bookkeeping Tokens and Tiebreakers, they also provide Game State Overviews regarding the Scores as they are Game State Indicators. This can lead players to form Temporary and Uncommitted Alliances with the aim to Beat the Leader. It can also make people try Speedending game instances if they are in the lead but see that they will be overtaken by others soon.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Beat the Leader, Game State Indicators, Game State Overviews, Movement, Races, Speedending, Temporary Alliances, Uncommitted Alliances, Varying Turn Orders
with Varying Turn Orders
Can Modulate
Bookkeeping Tokens, Excise, Game Boards, Scores, Tiebreakers, Turn Taking
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Secret Scoring Mechanisms, Tiebreakers
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
-
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
- ↑ Erasmus, C. J. (1950). Patolli, Pachisi, and the Limitation of Possibilities, Southwestern Journal of Antropology, 6 (Winter 1950), pp. 369-387 (as reprinted in Avedon, E. M. & Sutton-Smith, B. (1971). The Study of Games, pp. 109-129).
- ↑ Parlett, D. Oxford History of Board Games, p. 35. ISBN-10: 0192129988.
Acknowledgements
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