Difference between revisions of "Configuration"

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[[Category:Mechanical Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Mechanical Patterns]]
[[Category:Needs work]]
 
 
[[Category:Needs revision]]
 
[[Category:Needs revision]]
 
[[Category:Needs examples]]
 
[[Category:Needs examples]]
 
[[Category:Needs references]]
 
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''The goal of forming a spatial, temporal, or logical arrangement of game elements.''
 
''The goal of forming a spatial, temporal, or logical arrangement of game elements.''
  
Providing goals which consist of arranging game elements according to some predefine rule are a common use of game elements in games where the game elements can be moved. These goals make players try to form a Configuration of the available game elements.
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Many games make use of game elements and have their spatial position or relation to each other as part of the game state. This sets up for having [[Configuration]] goals, goals whose criteria for success are met by placing game elements in a certain [[Configuration]]. Similarly, games that distinguish gameplay into discrete time units can have [[Configuration]] goals consisting of performing actions according to a specific temporal [[Configuration]]. A third alternate can be based on logical arrangements.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
Example: The card game Illuminati uses Configuration for control groups, which can be spatially arranged to draw benefit of similarities in alignment and maximize the use of control arrows.
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The card game [[Illuminati]] uses [[Configuration]] for control groups, which can be spatially arranged to draw benefit of similarities in alignment and maximize the use of control arrows. A more abstract example is [[Poker]] and [[Texas Hold'em]], where winning rounds consists of having the rarest set of a set of predetermined [[Configuration|Configurations]].
  
Example: Zendo, an abstract game where the winning condition is to guess a Gonfiguration.
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[[Zendo]] is an abstract game where the winning condition is to guess a [[Configuration]] decided by a player.
 
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Example: Poker, where winning rounds consists of having the rarest set of a set of predetermined Configurations.
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== Using the pattern ==
 
== Using the pattern ==
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The design of [[Configuration]] goals depend on which game elements should form the [[Configuration]], what spatial relations they should form, and what should happen when one fails or succeeds with the goal. Specific ways of creating [[Configuration]] include [[Alignment]] and [[Enclosure]]. The latter is less specific on the exact spatial arrangement and other [[Configuration]] goals that need little or no spatial arrangement include [[Collections]], [[Combos]], and [[Connection]]. [[Rhythm-Based Actions]] can be used to make the [[Configuration]] completely or much more focused on temporal [[Configuration]] than spatial.
  
=== Diegetic Aspects ===
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In some cases the challenge with [[Configuration]] is simply placing the game elements, and this can be difficult due to the actions of others, [[Imperfect Information]], or [[Timing]] requirements. In other cases the challenge can have more to do with [[Puzzle Solving]]. [[Configuration]] can easily be designed to support or break [[Symmetry]] regarding the placement of game elements in a game.
  
=== Interface Aspects ===
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A typical effect of succeeding with [[Configuration]] goals in the [[Capture]] of some game elements. This means that [[Configuration]] goals are often motivated by [[Gain Ownership]] goals. While this can cause [[Game Element Removal]] of captured game elements, the game elements used to create the [[Configuration]] can also be removed (or become stuck) and this [[Game Element Removal]] can stop the goal from being completed several times.
  
=== Narration Aspects ===
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[[Configuration]] goals can be made so they are mutually exclusive — they are [[Incompatible Goals]] — by requiring the use of the same game elements when the game elements can't be reused. This makes these goals into a [[Selectable Set of Goals]].
  
 
== Consequences ==
 
== Consequences ==
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Given that [[Configuration]] uses spatial relations, they often offer [[Hovering Closures]] to players that are beginning to near the completion of the [[Configuration]].
  
 
== Relations ==
 
== Relations ==
Instantiates: Selectable Sets of Goals, Collection
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=== Can Instantiate ===
Modulates: Symmetry
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[[Capture]],
 
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[[Game Element Removal]],
Instantiated by: Connection, Enclosure,
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Modulated by: Rhythm-Based Actions, Timing, Gain Ownership, Imperfect Information
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[[Rhythm-Based Actions]]
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[[Combos]]
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[[Alignment]]
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[[Capture]]
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[[Puzzle Solving]]
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[[Hovering Closures]]
 
[[Hovering Closures]]
  
=== Can Instantiate ===
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==== with [[Incompatible Goals]] ====
-
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[[Selectable Set of Goals]]
 
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==== with ... ====
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=== Can Modulate ===
 
=== Can Modulate ===
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[[Symmetry]]
  
 
=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
 
=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
-
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[[Alignment]],
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[[Collections]],
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[[Combos]],
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[[Connection]],
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[[Enclosure]]
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[[Gain Ownership]],
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[[Puzzle Solving]],
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[[Rhythm-Based Actions]]
  
 
=== Can Be Modulated By ===
 
=== Can Be Modulated By ===
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[[Imperfect Information]],
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[[Incompatible Goals]],
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[[Timing]]
  
 
=== Possible Closure Effects ===
 
=== Possible Closure Effects ===

Latest revision as of 10:09, 13 May 2022

The goal of forming a spatial, temporal, or logical arrangement of game elements.

Many games make use of game elements and have their spatial position or relation to each other as part of the game state. This sets up for having Configuration goals, goals whose criteria for success are met by placing game elements in a certain Configuration. Similarly, games that distinguish gameplay into discrete time units can have Configuration goals consisting of performing actions according to a specific temporal Configuration. A third alternate can be based on logical arrangements.

Examples

The card game Illuminati uses Configuration for control groups, which can be spatially arranged to draw benefit of similarities in alignment and maximize the use of control arrows. A more abstract example is Poker and Texas Hold'em, where winning rounds consists of having the rarest set of a set of predetermined Configurations.

Zendo is an abstract game where the winning condition is to guess a Configuration decided by a player.

Using the pattern

The design of Configuration goals depend on which game elements should form the Configuration, what spatial relations they should form, and what should happen when one fails or succeeds with the goal. Specific ways of creating Configuration include Alignment and Enclosure. The latter is less specific on the exact spatial arrangement and other Configuration goals that need little or no spatial arrangement include Collections, Combos, and Connection. Rhythm-Based Actions can be used to make the Configuration completely or much more focused on temporal Configuration than spatial.

In some cases the challenge with Configuration is simply placing the game elements, and this can be difficult due to the actions of others, Imperfect Information, or Timing requirements. In other cases the challenge can have more to do with Puzzle Solving. Configuration can easily be designed to support or break Symmetry regarding the placement of game elements in a game.

A typical effect of succeeding with Configuration goals in the Capture of some game elements. This means that Configuration goals are often motivated by Gain Ownership goals. While this can cause Game Element Removal of captured game elements, the game elements used to create the Configuration can also be removed (or become stuck) and this Game Element Removal can stop the goal from being completed several times.

Configuration goals can be made so they are mutually exclusive — they are Incompatible Goals — by requiring the use of the same game elements when the game elements can't be reused. This makes these goals into a Selectable Set of Goals.

Consequences

Given that Configuration uses spatial relations, they often offer Hovering Closures to players that are beginning to near the completion of the Configuration.

Relations

Can Instantiate

Capture, Game Element Removal, Hovering Closures

with Incompatible Goals

Selectable Set of Goals

Can Modulate

Symmetry

Can Be Instantiated By

Alignment, Collections, Combos, Connection, Enclosure Gain Ownership, Puzzle Solving, Rhythm-Based Actions

Can Be Modulated By

Imperfect Information, Incompatible Goals, Timing

Possible Closure Effects

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Potentially Conflicting With

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History

An updated version of the pattern Configuration that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[1].

References

  1. Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.

Acknowledgements

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