Difference between revisions of "Tools"
(→Can Instantiate) |
|||
| (14 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| − | Besides the design choices available to all [[Game Items]], the fundamental characteristic of [[Tools]] are which actions they support. They can support actions by giving [[Improved Abilities]], either through [[Buffs]] or through increases in [[Skills]], or by giving [[New Abilities]] that may also be [[Privileged Abilities]]. A common functional type of [[Tools]] are [[Weapons]] to allow or affect [[Damage]], or dictate how [[Aim & Shoot]] is done in [[Combat]] (but some [[Tools]] are meant as diegetic tools but can be used as improvised [[Weapons]]). Maybe not too surprising given this, [[Tools]] allowing the regain of [[Health]] are also common. Although not always perceived as [[Tools]], game items such as keys, id cards, etc., that allow access to [[Conditional Passageways]] may be even more common that [[Weapons]] even if they may not be used as often. Other [[Tools]] allow or affect [[Crafting]], [[Farming]], and [[Privileged Movement]] (e.g. grappling hooks in [[Just Cause 2]]). Effects more specific that [[Tools]] can have is allowing [[Controllers]] to be activated, [[Achilles' Heels]] to be exploited, or [[Alarms]] to be turned off (or on). Types of [[Tools]] defined by being noticeable game elements in their own right in [[Game Worlds]] include [[Installations]], [[Self-Service Kiosks]], and [[Vehicles]]. | + | Besides the design choices available to all [[Game Items]], the fundamental characteristic of [[Tools]] are which actions they support. They can support actions by giving [[Improved Abilities]], either through [[Buffs]] or through increases in [[Skills]], or by giving [[New Abilities]] that may also be [[Privileged Abilities]]. They can also change the risks of [[Critical Failures]] and the chances of [[Critical Successes]]. A common functional type of [[Tools]] are [[Weapons]] to allow or affect [[Damage]], or dictate how [[Aim & Shoot]] is done in [[Combat]] (but some [[Tools]] are meant as diegetic tools but can be used as improvised [[Weapons]]). Maybe not too surprising given this, [[Tools]] allowing the regain of [[Health]] are also common. Although not always perceived as [[Tools]], game items such as keys, id cards, etc., that allow access to [[Conditional Passageways]] may be even more common that [[Weapons]] even if they may not be used as often. Other [[Tools]] allow or affect [[Crafting]], [[Farming]], and [[Privileged Movement]] (e.g. grappling hooks in [[Just Cause 2]]). Effects more specific that [[Tools]] can have is allowing [[Controllers]] to be activated, [[Achilles' Heels]] to be exploited, or [[Alarms]] to be turned off (or on). Types of [[Tools]] defined by being noticeable game elements in their own right in [[Game Worlds]] include [[Installations]], [[Self-Service Kiosks]], and [[Vehicles]]. The use of [[Tools]] can be designed so it require player actions to be successfully completed, e.g. [[Aim & Shoot]]. |
| − | + | Where and when they can be acquired is an important consideration regarding [[Tools]], and may make places into [[Resource Locations]]. This may be modified by [[Difficulty Levels]], and this is especially common for [[Tools]] to replenish [[Health]]. Besides what actions are affected and how common the [[Tools]] are, several other design options exist regarding [[Tools]]. One is which [[Units]] or [[Avatars]] can use the [[Tools]], possibly controlled by the presence or absence [[Powers]], [[Privileged Abilities]], or [[Skills]]. Another option is which begin with them, and this can be more important for [[Tools]] than other [[Game Items]] if [[Enemies]] can use them as well. A third option relate to adding [[Trade-Offs]] or [[Risk/Reward]] considerations by linked the use of [[Tools]] to the consumption of [[Resources]], the activation of [[Cooldown]] periods, or their [[Deterioration]]. [[Tools]] that only can be used once are quite closely related to [[Power-Ups]] but differ in that players can choose when to used them - the most common case of this type of [[Tools]] are probably those that restore [[Health]]. Limited numbers of uses and [[Deterioration]] are ways of ensuring that the [[Tools]] provide [[Temporary Abilities]], but this may also happen due to [[Stealing]] or [[Trading]] if they are [[Transferable Items]]. While not as commonly used as [[Armor]] or [[Weapons]], unique [[Tools]] can be part of the [[Loot]] in [[Endgame Quests]] to provide those in [[Endgame]] phases with the chance of improving the actions supported by the [[Tools]]. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | Where and when they can be acquired is an important consideration regarding [[Tools]], and may make places into [[Resource Locations]]. This may be modified by [[Difficulty Levels]], and this is especially common for [[Tools]] to replenish [[Health]]. Besides what actions are affected and how common the [[Tools]] are, several other design options exist regarding [[Tools]]. One is which [[Units]] or [[Avatars]] can use the [[Tools]], possibly controlled by the presence or absence [[Powers]], [[Privileged Abilities]], or [[Skills]]. Another option is which begin with them, and this can be more important for [[Tools]] than other [[Game Items]] if [[Enemies]] can use them as well. A third option relate to adding [[Trade-Offs]] or [[Risk/Reward]] considerations by linked the use of [[Tools]] to the consumption of [[Resources]], the activation of [[Cooldown]] periods, or their [[Deterioration]]. [[Tools]] that only can be used once are quite closely related to [[Power-Ups]] but differ in that players can choose when to used them - the most common case of this type of [[Tools]] are probably those that restore [[Health]]. Limited numbers of uses and [[Deterioration]] are ways of ensuring that the [[Tools]] provide [[Temporary Abilities]], but this may also happen due to [[Stealing]] or [[Trading]] if they are [[Transferable Items]]. | + | |
Finally, game designers need to consider if the usage of several [[Tools]] together simultaneously should be allowed, and if so if it should give rise to [[Combos]]. | Finally, game designers need to consider if the usage of several [[Tools]] together simultaneously should be allowed, and if so if it should give rise to [[Combos]]. | ||
| Line 30: | Line 28: | ||
=== Interface Aspects === | === Interface Aspects === | ||
[[Tools]] can provide sensory abilities besides providing improved or new types of actions, and this makes them have strong link to a game's interface. Examples include ordinary binoculars (found for example in [[Fallout: New Vegas]]), sniper scopes (built-in into several weapons found in [[Counter-Strike]], the [[Halo series]] and the [[Battlefield series]]), or more exotic equipment that provide [[Vision Modes]] (e.g. thermal sights in the [[Call of Duty series]]). | [[Tools]] can provide sensory abilities besides providing improved or new types of actions, and this makes them have strong link to a game's interface. Examples include ordinary binoculars (found for example in [[Fallout: New Vegas]]), sniper scopes (built-in into several weapons found in [[Counter-Strike]], the [[Halo series]] and the [[Battlefield series]]), or more exotic equipment that provide [[Vision Modes]] (e.g. thermal sights in the [[Call of Duty series]]). | ||
| + | |||
| + | For games with [[Live Action Roleplaying]], the construction of game [[Tools]] may need to be the construction of functional [[Tools]] that can be used like any other non-game version or replicas that are indistinguishable from real [[Tools]]. Any [[Tools]] that have physical representations or are assigned physical locations open up for making their proximity to other things into gameplay mechanics, i.e. [[Artifact-Location Proximity]] and [[Player-Artifact Proximity]]. | ||
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
| − | [[Tools]] are [[Game Items]] that change how [[Avatars]], [[Characters]], or [[Units]] (all which may be [[Enemies]]) work in games by being [[Equipment]] | + | [[Tools]] are [[Game Items]] that change how [[Avatars]], [[Characters]], or [[Units]] (all which may be [[Enemies]]) work in games by being [[Equipment]]. This through how they provide ways to temporarily or permanently provide [[Improved Abilities|Improved]] or [[New Abilities]]. For players, this may give [[Collecting]] and [[Gain Ownership]] goals to acquire them and [[Facilitating Rewards]] when receiving them. Depending on how common the [[Tools]] are, they may or not give [[Privileged Abilities]], and when affected by [[Deterioration]] they can be [[Limited Resources]]. As [[Tools]] can give [[New Abilities|New]] or [[Privileged Abilities]], they allow the fulfillment of [[Gain Competence]] goals. In [[Single-Player Games]], [[Tools]] can let different [[Characters]] or [[Units]] have different [[Competence Areas]]. |
| − | In [[Multiplayer Games]] the presence of usable [[Tools]] can create [[Privileged Abilities]] in relations to those that do not have the [[Tools]]. This inequality can spawn also goals of [[Gain Ownership]], | + | In [[Multiplayer Games]] the presence of usable [[Tools]] can create [[Privileged Abilities]] in relations to those that do not have the [[Tools]]. This inequality can spawn also goals of [[Gain Ownership]], which in turn may give rise to [[Trading]], and even the [[Game Element Trading]] and its associated [[Extra-Game Consequences]], unless made impossible by game rules. Alternatively in can give rise to [[Stealing]] or [[Eliminate]] goals. |
| − | which in turn may give rise to [[Trading]], and even the [[Game Element Trading]] and its associated [[Extra-Game Consequences]], unless made impossible by game rules. Alternatively in can give rise to [[Stealing]] or [[Eliminate]] goals. | + | |
| − | Since they can change the outcome of actions done by [[Avatars]] or [[Units]], | + | Since they can change the outcome of actions done by [[Avatars]] or [[Units]], [[Tools]] provide a way of constructing [[Player/Character Skill Composites]]. The change can also lead to players having an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], especially if players can choose between which [[Tools]] to use (a form of [[Freedom of Choice]]). They may also cause problems with [[Player Balance]] in [[Multiplayer Games]] since those in possession of [[Tools]] may have a distinct advantage. This however also lets players cooperating to develop [[Competence Areas]]. |
== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
| Line 45: | Line 44: | ||
[[Buffs]], | [[Buffs]], | ||
[[Combos]], | [[Combos]], | ||
| + | [[Competence Areas]], | ||
| + | [[Collecting]], | ||
[[Crafting]], | [[Crafting]], | ||
[[Damage]], | [[Damage]], | ||
[[Equipment]], | [[Equipment]], | ||
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], | [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], | ||
| + | [[Facilitating Rewards]], | ||
[[Farming]], | [[Farming]], | ||
[[Freedom of Choice]], | [[Freedom of Choice]], | ||
| Line 90: | Line 92: | ||
[[Controllers]], | [[Controllers]], | ||
[[Crafting]], | [[Crafting]], | ||
| + | [[Critical Failures]], | ||
| + | [[Critical Successes]], | ||
[[Enemies]], | [[Enemies]], | ||
[[Health]], | [[Health]], | ||
| Line 104: | Line 108: | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
[[Achilles' Heels]], | [[Achilles' Heels]], | ||
| + | [[Artifact-Location Proximity]], | ||
[[Cooldown]], | [[Cooldown]], | ||
[[Deterioration]], | [[Deterioration]], | ||
[[Difficulty Levels]], | [[Difficulty Levels]], | ||
| + | [[Endgame Quests]], | ||
[[Equipment Slots]], | [[Equipment Slots]], | ||
[[Factions]], | [[Factions]], | ||
| + | [[Live Action Roleplaying]], | ||
| + | [[Player-Artifact Proximity]], | ||
[[Powers]], | [[Powers]], | ||
[[Privileged Abilities]], | [[Privileged Abilities]], | ||
Latest revision as of 07:36, 19 May 2022
Game elements used to provide actions, or make them easier to perform, in game worlds.
Tools are game elements that enable players' avatars and units to perform actions better that usual, or perform actions otherwise unavailable to them. By being separate entities that can exist independently of avatars or units, Tools can be designed so that they can be picked up, dropped, destroyed, traded, and so on.
Contents
Examples
Roleplaying games Dungeons and Dragons and Hârnmaster make intense use of Tools, often in the form of weapons and armors to affect combat. GURPS includes detailed rules for Tools that give bonuses to various skills if the player characters have them, and have entire source books dedicated to Tools and other game items[1][2][3] (Dungeons and Dragons have these as well[4][5]).
Weapons are common Tools in many computer games, including Left 4 Dead series, Torchlight, and World of Warcraft. While also doing this, Minecraft and the Team Fortress series, through dispensers and sentry guns respectively, allow players to create Tools that can act independently in combat, needing only to be resupplied. Minecraft and Ultima Online also have various Tools to support crafting and farming. Players of Just Cause 2 and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (and some mods and expansions for the Quake series) can find grappling hooks that allow players to move by swinging.
Using the pattern
Besides the design choices available to all Game Items, the fundamental characteristic of Tools are which actions they support. They can support actions by giving Improved Abilities, either through Buffs or through increases in Skills, or by giving New Abilities that may also be Privileged Abilities. They can also change the risks of Critical Failures and the chances of Critical Successes. A common functional type of Tools are Weapons to allow or affect Damage, or dictate how Aim & Shoot is done in Combat (but some Tools are meant as diegetic tools but can be used as improvised Weapons). Maybe not too surprising given this, Tools allowing the regain of Health are also common. Although not always perceived as Tools, game items such as keys, id cards, etc., that allow access to Conditional Passageways may be even more common that Weapons even if they may not be used as often. Other Tools allow or affect Crafting, Farming, and Privileged Movement (e.g. grappling hooks in Just Cause 2). Effects more specific that Tools can have is allowing Controllers to be activated, Achilles' Heels to be exploited, or Alarms to be turned off (or on). Types of Tools defined by being noticeable game elements in their own right in Game Worlds include Installations, Self-Service Kiosks, and Vehicles. The use of Tools can be designed so it require player actions to be successfully completed, e.g. Aim & Shoot.
Where and when they can be acquired is an important consideration regarding Tools, and may make places into Resource Locations. This may be modified by Difficulty Levels, and this is especially common for Tools to replenish Health. Besides what actions are affected and how common the Tools are, several other design options exist regarding Tools. One is which Units or Avatars can use the Tools, possibly controlled by the presence or absence Powers, Privileged Abilities, or Skills. Another option is which begin with them, and this can be more important for Tools than other Game Items if Enemies can use them as well. A third option relate to adding Trade-Offs or Risk/Reward considerations by linked the use of Tools to the consumption of Resources, the activation of Cooldown periods, or their Deterioration. Tools that only can be used once are quite closely related to Power-Ups but differ in that players can choose when to used them - the most common case of this type of Tools are probably those that restore Health. Limited numbers of uses and Deterioration are ways of ensuring that the Tools provide Temporary Abilities, but this may also happen due to Stealing or Trading if they are Transferable Items. While not as commonly used as Armor or Weapons, unique Tools can be part of the Loot in Endgame Quests to provide those in Endgame phases with the chance of improving the actions supported by the Tools.
Finally, game designers need to consider if the usage of several Tools together simultaneously should be allowed, and if so if it should give rise to Combos.
Although not as common as for Armor or the more specialized Tools of Weapons, Tools can be used to create Sets. Likewise, Equipment Slots can be assigned to particular types of Tools but this is probably most present through such slots for what Tool or Weapon one holds in one's hand.
Diegetic Aspects
Tools are a way of providing Improved or New Abilities without breaking Thematic Consistency. Maintaining Thematic Consistency can also be used to explain restrictions of where one can acquire Tools, e.g. only through certain Factions. This can also be used to regulate who can used them also without noticing that Actions Have Diegetically Social Consequences.
Interface Aspects
Tools can provide sensory abilities besides providing improved or new types of actions, and this makes them have strong link to a game's interface. Examples include ordinary binoculars (found for example in Fallout: New Vegas), sniper scopes (built-in into several weapons found in Counter-Strike, the Halo series and the Battlefield series), or more exotic equipment that provide Vision Modes (e.g. thermal sights in the Call of Duty series).
For games with Live Action Roleplaying, the construction of game Tools may need to be the construction of functional Tools that can be used like any other non-game version or replicas that are indistinguishable from real Tools. Any Tools that have physical representations or are assigned physical locations open up for making their proximity to other things into gameplay mechanics, i.e. Artifact-Location Proximity and Player-Artifact Proximity.
Consequences
Tools are Game Items that change how Avatars, Characters, or Units (all which may be Enemies) work in games by being Equipment. This through how they provide ways to temporarily or permanently provide Improved or New Abilities. For players, this may give Collecting and Gain Ownership goals to acquire them and Facilitating Rewards when receiving them. Depending on how common the Tools are, they may or not give Privileged Abilities, and when affected by Deterioration they can be Limited Resources. As Tools can give New or Privileged Abilities, they allow the fulfillment of Gain Competence goals. In Single-Player Games, Tools can let different Characters or Units have different Competence Areas.
In Multiplayer Games the presence of usable Tools can create Privileged Abilities in relations to those that do not have the Tools. This inequality can spawn also goals of Gain Ownership, which in turn may give rise to Trading, and even the Game Element Trading and its associated Extra-Game Consequences, unless made impossible by game rules. Alternatively in can give rise to Stealing or Eliminate goals.
Since they can change the outcome of actions done by Avatars or Units, Tools provide a way of constructing Player/Character Skill Composites. The change can also lead to players having an Exaggerated Perception of Influence, especially if players can choose between which Tools to use (a form of Freedom of Choice). They may also cause problems with Player Balance in Multiplayer Games since those in possession of Tools may have a distinct advantage. This however also lets players cooperating to develop Competence Areas.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Actions Have Diegetically Social Consequences, Aim & Shoot, Buffs, Combos, Competence Areas, Collecting, Crafting, Damage, Equipment, Exaggerated Perception of Influence, Facilitating Rewards, Farming, Freedom of Choice, Gain Competence, Gain Ownership, Game Items, Improved Abilities, Limited Resources, New Abilities, Player/Character Skill Composites, Privileged Abilities, Privileged Movement, Sets, Resource Locations, Temporary Abilities, Thematic Consistency, Vision Modes, Weapons
with Cooldown
with Resources or Deterioration
with Multiplayer Games
Eliminate, Game Element Trading, Stealing, Trading
with Game Element Trading
Can Modulate
Aim & Shoot, Alarms, Avatars, Characters, Combat, Controllers, Crafting, Critical Failures, Critical Successes, Enemies, Health, Skills, Conditional Passageways, Units
Can Be Instantiated By
Installations, Self-Service Kiosks, Vehicles, Weapons
Can Be Modulated By
Achilles' Heels, Artifact-Location Proximity, Cooldown, Deterioration, Difficulty Levels, Endgame Quests, Equipment Slots, Factions, Live Action Roleplaying, Player-Artifact Proximity, Powers, Privileged Abilities, Resources, Skills, Thematic Consistency
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
Player Balance in Multiplayer Games
History
An update of the pattern Tools that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[6].
References
- ↑ Official page for the Low-Tech sourcebook for GURPS.
- ↑ Official page for the High-Tech sourcebook for GURPS.
- ↑ Official page for the Ultra-Tech sourcebook for GURPS.
- ↑ Official page for the Adventurer's Vault book for Dungeons & Dragons.
- ↑ Official page for the Adventurer's Vault 2 book for Dungeons & Dragons.
- ↑ Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.
Acknowledgements
-
