Difference between revisions of "Solution Uncertainty"
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''Uncertainty in a game which stems from not being aware of an existent solution to a challenge.'' | ''Uncertainty in a game which stems from not being aware of an existent solution to a challenge.'' | ||
| − | + | Players of games are often tasks with trying to reach a goal without knowing exactly how to reach that goal. A game has [[Solution Uncertainty]] when this challenge takes the form of mainly having to do with figuring out what actions to do, rather than doing them, although a solution might not actually exist. | |
Note: ''Uncertainty that comes from the possibility of players failing to perform an action or series of actions is covered by the pattern [[Performance Uncertainty]].'' | Note: ''Uncertainty that comes from the possibility of players failing to perform an action or series of actions is covered by the pattern [[Performance Uncertainty]].'' | ||
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| − | [[:Category:Puzzles|Puzzles]] such as [[Jigsaw Puzzles]], [[Solitaire]], and [[Tangram]] all built upon [[Solution Uncertainty]] to provide gameplay for players without requiring other players to participate. [[Alchemists]], [[Battleship]], [[Cluedo]], [[Mastermind]], [[Mystery of the Abbey]] are examples of multiplayer games that build upon similar [[Solution Uncertainty]]. | + | [[:Category:Puzzles|Puzzles]] such as [[Jigsaw Puzzles]], [[Solitaire]], and [[Tangram]] all built upon [[Solution Uncertainty]] to provide gameplay for players without requiring other players to participate. [[Alchemists]], [[Battleship]], [[Cluedo]], [[Mastermind]], [[Mystery of the Abbey]], and [[Ricochet Robots]] are examples of multiplayer games that build upon similar [[Solution Uncertainty]]. |
| + | |||
| + | Examples of computer-based [[:Category:Puzzle Games|Puzzle Games]] relying on [[Solution Uncertainty]] include [[Angry Birds]], [[Continuity]], [[Cursor*10]], [[Drop 7]], and the [[Portal series]]. [[:Category:Adventure Games|Adventure Games]] such as [[King's Quest series]], the [[Leisure Suit Larry series]], [[Maniac Mansion]], and the [[Myst series]] are similar but combine puzzle solving with exploration of an environment and the telling of a story. | ||
== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| − | [[Solution Uncertainty]] is created by introducing [[Complex Gameplay]], [[Imperfect Information]], [[Uncertainty of Information]], or a combination of these. It is however important to note that a solution must not necessarily exist, the important thing is that players experience that a solution might exist. | + | [[Solution Uncertainty]] is created by introducing [[Complex Gameplay]], [[Imperfect Information]], [[Uncertainty of Information]], or a combination of these. It is however important to note that a solution must not necessarily exist, the important thing is that players experience that a solution might exist. Similarly, [[Solution Uncertainty]] can be constructed to allow for [[Trial and Error Solutions]] or [[Lucky Guess Solutions]]. |
[[Strategic Knowledge]] can ruin games based on [[Solution Uncertainty]] if the solution can become apparent due to the knowledge players can bring over from other game instances. It can however also be a way of modifying [[Solution Uncertainty]] so that players may have an advantage in finding solutions if they have [[Strategic Knowledge]]. | [[Strategic Knowledge]] can ruin games based on [[Solution Uncertainty]] if the solution can become apparent due to the knowledge players can bring over from other game instances. It can however also be a way of modifying [[Solution Uncertainty]] so that players may have an advantage in finding solutions if they have [[Strategic Knowledge]]. | ||
| − | The use of [[AI Players]] requires extra consideration when | + | The use of [[AI Players]] requires extra consideration when it comes to using [[Solution Uncertainty]] in a game since human players and [[AI Players]] most likely have very different cognitive abilities and what can be difficult for one category of players to find can be trivial for the other. |
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
| − | The most basic consequence of [[Solution Uncertainty]] is that it creates [[Uncertainty of Outcome]] in games. This often leads to [[Puzzle Solving]] or [[Tactical Planning]], which in turn can make for [[Challenging Gameplay]] or lead to players suffering from [[Analysis Paralysis]]. A slightly more unintuitive effect of [[Solution Uncertainty]] is that is can lead to a player becoming the target of a [[Surprise Attacks]] due to an inability of foreseeing a potential attack. | + | The most basic consequence of [[Solution Uncertainty]] is that it creates [[Uncertainty of Outcome]] in games. This often leads to [[Puzzle Solving]] or [[Tactical Planning]], which in turn can make for [[Challenging Gameplay]] or lead to players suffering from [[Analysis Paralysis]]. A slightly more unintuitive effect of [[Solution Uncertainty]] is that is can lead to a player becoming the target of a [[Surprise Attacks]] due to an inability of foreseeing a potential attack. [[Solution Uncertainty]] can help make it impossible to know exactly who will win, and can thereby support [[Winner determined after Gameplay Ends]]. |
While [[Solution Uncertainty]] does not automatically create [[No Direct Player Influence]], it does provide a basis for making this type of gameplay in that it opens up for players considering how to manipulate a game state rather than simply manipulating it. | While [[Solution Uncertainty]] does not automatically create [[No Direct Player Influence]], it does provide a basis for making this type of gameplay in that it opens up for players considering how to manipulate a game state rather than simply manipulating it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Games that rely heavily on [[Solution Uncertainty]] typically works badly with [[Further Player Improvement Potential]]. This since the former relies on being uncertain that there is a solution or how to reach it and having found one in no way guarantees that there exists a better solution or that players have any gameplay reason to try and find a better one even if one is possible. | ||
== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
[[Surprise Attacks]], | [[Surprise Attacks]], | ||
[[Tactical Planning]], | [[Tactical Planning]], | ||
| − | [[Uncertainty of Outcome]] | + | [[Uncertainty of Outcome]], |
| + | [[Winner determined after Gameplay Ends]] | ||
=== Can Modulate === | === Can Modulate === | ||
| Line 50: | Line 51: | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
[[AI Players]], | [[AI Players]], | ||
| − | [[Strategic Knowledge]] | + | [[Lucky Guess Solutions]], |
| + | [[Strategic Knowledge]], | ||
| + | [[Trial and Error Solutions]] | ||
=== Possible Closure Effects === | === Possible Closure Effects === | ||
| Line 56: | Line 59: | ||
=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| + | [[Further Player Improvement Potential]], | ||
[[Strategic Knowledge]] | [[Strategic Knowledge]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:36, 5 August 2015
Uncertainty in a game which stems from not being aware of an existent solution to a challenge.
Players of games are often tasks with trying to reach a goal without knowing exactly how to reach that goal. A game has Solution Uncertainty when this challenge takes the form of mainly having to do with figuring out what actions to do, rather than doing them, although a solution might not actually exist.
Note: Uncertainty that comes from the possibility of players failing to perform an action or series of actions is covered by the pattern Performance Uncertainty.
Contents
Examples
Puzzles such as Jigsaw Puzzles, Solitaire, and Tangram all built upon Solution Uncertainty to provide gameplay for players without requiring other players to participate. Alchemists, Battleship, Cluedo, Mastermind, Mystery of the Abbey, and Ricochet Robots are examples of multiplayer games that build upon similar Solution Uncertainty.
Examples of computer-based Puzzle Games relying on Solution Uncertainty include Angry Birds, Continuity, Cursor*10, Drop 7, and the Portal series. Adventure Games such as King's Quest series, the Leisure Suit Larry series, Maniac Mansion, and the Myst series are similar but combine puzzle solving with exploration of an environment and the telling of a story.
Using the pattern
Solution Uncertainty is created by introducing Complex Gameplay, Imperfect Information, Uncertainty of Information, or a combination of these. It is however important to note that a solution must not necessarily exist, the important thing is that players experience that a solution might exist. Similarly, Solution Uncertainty can be constructed to allow for Trial and Error Solutions or Lucky Guess Solutions.
Strategic Knowledge can ruin games based on Solution Uncertainty if the solution can become apparent due to the knowledge players can bring over from other game instances. It can however also be a way of modifying Solution Uncertainty so that players may have an advantage in finding solutions if they have Strategic Knowledge.
The use of AI Players requires extra consideration when it comes to using Solution Uncertainty in a game since human players and AI Players most likely have very different cognitive abilities and what can be difficult for one category of players to find can be trivial for the other.
Consequences
The most basic consequence of Solution Uncertainty is that it creates Uncertainty of Outcome in games. This often leads to Puzzle Solving or Tactical Planning, which in turn can make for Challenging Gameplay or lead to players suffering from Analysis Paralysis. A slightly more unintuitive effect of Solution Uncertainty is that is can lead to a player becoming the target of a Surprise Attacks due to an inability of foreseeing a potential attack. Solution Uncertainty can help make it impossible to know exactly who will win, and can thereby support Winner determined after Gameplay Ends.
While Solution Uncertainty does not automatically create No Direct Player Influence, it does provide a basis for making this type of gameplay in that it opens up for players considering how to manipulate a game state rather than simply manipulating it.
Games that rely heavily on Solution Uncertainty typically works badly with Further Player Improvement Potential. This since the former relies on being uncertain that there is a solution or how to reach it and having found one in no way guarantees that there exists a better solution or that players have any gameplay reason to try and find a better one even if one is possible.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Analysis Paralysis, Challenging Gameplay, No Direct Player Influence, Puzzle Solving, Surprise Attacks, Tactical Planning, Uncertainty of Outcome, Winner determined after Gameplay Ends
Can Modulate
-
Can Be Instantiated By
Complex Gameplay, Imperfect Information, Uncertainty of Information
Can Be Modulated By
AI Players, Lucky Guess Solutions, Strategic Knowledge, Trial and Error Solutions
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
Further Player Improvement Potential, Strategic Knowledge
History
New pattern created in this wiki. However, the pattern is based on the concept of solver's uncertainty described in Costikyan's book Uncertainty in Games[1].
References
Acknowledgements
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