Difference between revisions of "Shrinking Game Worlds"
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[[Category:Patterns]] | [[Category:Patterns]] | ||
[[Category:Level Design Patterns]] | [[Category:Level Design Patterns]] | ||
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''Game worlds that become smaller as gameplay progresses.'' | ''Game worlds that become smaller as gameplay progresses.'' | ||
| − | + | Some games, primarily those where player compete against each other, decrease the size of the game world as game play progresses. These [[Shrinking Game Worlds]] make sure that player will eventually encounter each other. | |
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| − | Some games, primarily those where player compete against each other, decrease the size of the game world as game play progresses. | + | |
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| − | + | Most of the stones placed while playing [[Go]] are not removed, leading to players having an effectively [[Shrinking Game Worlds|Shrinking Game World]]. The same is true in [[Hey! That's My Fish!]], but in this case it is due to players removing ice tiles each time it is their turn. Building harvesters are required in [[Greed Corp]] to get new resources but each time these are activated they remove a layer of the tile they are on and those surrounding it which eventually leads to the tiles disappearing. | |
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| − | [[Hey! That's My Fish!]] | + | |
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| − | [[Greed Corp]] | + | |
| + | The gameplay area shrinks in the [[Bomberman series]] if players fail to eliminate each other within a certain period of time. One of the multiplayer levels in [Half-Life]], ''Crossfire'' allows players to activate air strikes. Players not in a bunker when these arrive are killed, in effect reducing the gameplay area to the bunker for periods of the matches. | ||
== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| + | [[Shrinking Game Worlds]] have two prime characteristics: in what way [[Game Worlds]] shrink and in what way the shrinkage is activated. It is however important that each shrinkage is an [[Irreversible Events|Irreversible Event]] since otherwise the game effect instead becomes that of a [[Reconfigurable Game Worlds|Reconfigurable Game World]] (one could theoretically conceive of games where sometimes reductions are countered by growths in other areas but overall [[Game Worlds]] become smaller with time). Having [[Tiles]] as [[Destructible Objects]] even if the "destruction" can simply be its removal, it one way of creating [[Shrinking Game Worlds]] and can do this with clear units for the shrinkage (e.g. [[Greed Corp]]). | ||
| − | + | The reduction of [[Game Worlds|Game World]] size can simply be a matter of [[Time Limits]] (as in multiplayer games in the [[Bomberman series]]) or be required action by players during their turn in [[Turn-Based Games]]. | |
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== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
| − | [[Shrinking Game Worlds]] are [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] that instantiate [[The Show Must Go On]]. They increase [[Tension]] by creating [[Movement Limitations]] which in turn can limit players' [[Freedom of Choice]]. | + | [[Shrinking Game Worlds]] are [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] that instantiate [[The Show Must Go On]] but successively making [[Game Worlds]] smaller as gameplay takes place. They increase [[Tension]] by creating [[Movement Limitations]] which in turn can limit players' [[Freedom of Choice]]. That [[Game Worlds]] shrink can be seen as an [[Environmental Effects|Environmental Effect]] in these worlds, and these can effectively become [[Traps]] for players - especially if other players can affect which parts of [[Game Worlds]] are removed (as in [[Hey! That's My Fish!]]). By definition, [[Game Worlds]] that are to shrink need to be [[Reconfigurable Game Worlds]] and the actual shrinkage is a reconfiguration. If players can control the shrinkage this allows [[Player Defined Goals]] and a form of [[Player Constructed Worlds]]. |
| − | + | As the actual shrinking are [[Irreversible Events]], [[Shrinking Game Worlds]] can both guarantee [[Time Limited Game Instances]] and [[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]] since players are force to share a more limited space and outcomes of struggles become more and more vital for the final outcome of the game instances. | |
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== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
=== Can Instantiate === | === Can Instantiate === | ||
[[Environmental Effects]], | [[Environmental Effects]], | ||
| + | [[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]], | ||
[[Movement Limitations]], | [[Movement Limitations]], | ||
| + | [[Player Constructed Worlds]], | ||
| + | [[Player Defined Goals]], | ||
| + | [[Reconfigurable Game Worlds]], | ||
[[Tension]], | [[Tension]], | ||
[[The Show Must Go On]], | [[The Show Must Go On]], | ||
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=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
| + | [[Irreversible Events]] | ||
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[[Destructible Objects]] together with [[Tiles]] | [[Destructible Objects]] together with [[Tiles]] | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
| − | [[Irreversible Events]] | + | [[Irreversible Events]], |
| + | [[Time Limits]] | ||
=== Possible Closure Effects === | === Possible Closure Effects === | ||
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=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| − | + | [[Freedom of Choice]] | |
== History == | == History == | ||
Latest revision as of 07:12, 5 September 2011
Game worlds that become smaller as gameplay progresses.
Some games, primarily those where player compete against each other, decrease the size of the game world as game play progresses. These Shrinking Game Worlds make sure that player will eventually encounter each other.
Contents
Examples
Most of the stones placed while playing Go are not removed, leading to players having an effectively Shrinking Game World. The same is true in Hey! That's My Fish!, but in this case it is due to players removing ice tiles each time it is their turn. Building harvesters are required in Greed Corp to get new resources but each time these are activated they remove a layer of the tile they are on and those surrounding it which eventually leads to the tiles disappearing.
The gameplay area shrinks in the Bomberman series if players fail to eliminate each other within a certain period of time. One of the multiplayer levels in [Half-Life]], Crossfire allows players to activate air strikes. Players not in a bunker when these arrive are killed, in effect reducing the gameplay area to the bunker for periods of the matches.
Using the pattern
Shrinking Game Worlds have two prime characteristics: in what way Game Worlds shrink and in what way the shrinkage is activated. It is however important that each shrinkage is an Irreversible Event since otherwise the game effect instead becomes that of a Reconfigurable Game World (one could theoretically conceive of games where sometimes reductions are countered by growths in other areas but overall Game Worlds become smaller with time). Having Tiles as Destructible Objects even if the "destruction" can simply be its removal, it one way of creating Shrinking Game Worlds and can do this with clear units for the shrinkage (e.g. Greed Corp).
The reduction of Game World size can simply be a matter of Time Limits (as in multiplayer games in the Bomberman series) or be required action by players during their turn in Turn-Based Games.
Consequences
Shrinking Game Worlds are Ultra-Powerful Events that instantiate The Show Must Go On but successively making Game Worlds smaller as gameplay takes place. They increase Tension by creating Movement Limitations which in turn can limit players' Freedom of Choice. That Game Worlds shrink can be seen as an Environmental Effect in these worlds, and these can effectively become Traps for players - especially if other players can affect which parts of Game Worlds are removed (as in Hey! That's My Fish!). By definition, Game Worlds that are to shrink need to be Reconfigurable Game Worlds and the actual shrinkage is a reconfiguration. If players can control the shrinkage this allows Player Defined Goals and a form of Player Constructed Worlds.
As the actual shrinking are Irreversible Events, Shrinking Game Worlds can both guarantee Time Limited Game Instances and Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses since players are force to share a more limited space and outcomes of struggles become more and more vital for the final outcome of the game instances.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Environmental Effects, Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses, Movement Limitations, Player Constructed Worlds, Player Defined Goals, Reconfigurable Game Worlds, Tension, The Show Must Go On, Time Limited Game Instances, Traps, Ultra-Powerful Events
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Destructible Objects together with Tiles
Can Be Modulated By
Irreversible Events, Time Limits
Possible Closure Effects
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Potentially Conflicting With
History
An updated version of the pattern Shrinking Game World 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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