Difference between revisions of "Traverse"
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== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| − | [[Traverse]] goals are often introduce in games to create [[Races]], or to make it sure (or at least make it likely) that players visit certain parts of [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]]. [[Quests]] and [[Game World Navigation]] tasks can specifically require [[Traverse]] goals to be completed and [[Levels]] can in themselves be seen as creating [[Traverse]] goals since they most often have an entry and exit point which players need to move between to finish them. | + | [[Traverse]] goals are often introduce in games to create [[Races]], or to make it sure (or at least make it likely) that players visit certain parts of [[Game Worlds]] or [[Levels]]. [[Quests]] and [[Game World Navigation]] tasks can specifically require [[Traverse]] goals to be completed and [[Levels]] can in themselves be seen as creating [[Traverse]] goals since they most often have an entry and exit point which players need to move between to finish them. The mere existence of [[Game Worlds]] can also indirectly cause [[Traverse]] goals to emerge whenever players have a reason to want game elements to be in another locations. For example, [[Strategic Locations]] such as [[Chargers]] can make players want to move game elements close to them, especially if the can gain [[Area Control]] over them, and the presence of [[Big Dumb Objects]] may make players want to get to them simply to investigate them. The three main considerations when designing [[Traverse]] goals are where the goal area is, how one can move to get there, and the layout of the actual game space that has to be moved through to get there. |
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| − | The mere existence of [[Game Worlds]] can also indirectly cause [[Traverse]] goals to emerge whenever players have a reason to want game elements to be in another locations. The three main considerations when designing [[Traverse]] goals are where the goal area is, how one can move to get there, and the layout of the actual game space that has to be moved through to get there. | + | |
The simplest way to define goal areas is to make use of [[Check Points]], and if the overall distanced need to be traveled is long this can be broken down into several [[Supporting Goals]] each with their own [[Check Points|Check Point]] (races in [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]] does this) or through making [[Goal Hierarchies]] (the overall game structure in many of the games in the [[Super Mario Bros series]] can be described like this). The intermittent goals make natural locations for [[Save Points]], although the use of these may disrupt the [[Temporal Consistency]] of a game. While simply getting to the area may be enough to complete the goal, a couple of more specific [[Traverse]] goals with other requirements exist. One common variant is [[Delivery]], where a goal object needs by somebody to the goal area (''Capture the Flag'' matches in the [[Quake series]] are examples of this). Another is [[Herding]], where [[Indirect Control]] and [[Units]] are used to make players in various ways affect another game object to make it move to a specific point ([[:Category:Pool Games|Pool Games]] such as [[Eight-ball]] and [[Snooker]] are examples of this). Not giving players the location of the goal area adds an [[Gain Information]] component to the pattern, and this forces players to engage in [[Game World Exploration]]. | The simplest way to define goal areas is to make use of [[Check Points]], and if the overall distanced need to be traveled is long this can be broken down into several [[Supporting Goals]] each with their own [[Check Points|Check Point]] (races in [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]] does this) or through making [[Goal Hierarchies]] (the overall game structure in many of the games in the [[Super Mario Bros series]] can be described like this). The intermittent goals make natural locations for [[Save Points]], although the use of these may disrupt the [[Temporal Consistency]] of a game. While simply getting to the area may be enough to complete the goal, a couple of more specific [[Traverse]] goals with other requirements exist. One common variant is [[Delivery]], where a goal object needs by somebody to the goal area (''Capture the Flag'' matches in the [[Quake series]] are examples of this). Another is [[Herding]], where [[Indirect Control]] and [[Units]] are used to make players in various ways affect another game object to make it move to a specific point ([[:Category:Pool Games|Pool Games]] such as [[Eight-ball]] and [[Snooker]] are examples of this). Not giving players the location of the goal area adds an [[Gain Information]] component to the pattern, and this forces players to engage in [[Game World Exploration]]. | ||
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If some form of [[Limited Resources]] is consumed by the [[Movement]] required to reach the [[Traverse]] goal, this can create more [[Complex Gameplay]] especially if the rate of consumption depend on factors such as speed, vehicle used, and environment traveled in. | If some form of [[Limited Resources]] is consumed by the [[Movement]] required to reach the [[Traverse]] goal, this can create more [[Complex Gameplay]] especially if the rate of consumption depend on factors such as speed, vehicle used, and environment traveled in. | ||
| − | The layout of [[Game Worlds]] and [[Levels]] naturally affect how easy [[Traverse]] goals are to complete. [[Enemies]], [[Choke Points]], [[Conditional Passageways]], and [[Obstacles]] can make them more difficult while [[Safe Havens]] can be player respite along the way of getting the the goal areas ([[Enemies]] can in practice make some [[Traverse]] goals impossible and this can be used intentionally by game designers). [[Privileged Movement]] can make [[Traverse]] easier for some while having to deal with [[Enemies]] that have this can instead make it more difficult. [[Backtracking Levels]] (with a [[Check Points|Check Point]] at the point furthest away) makes more use of the gameplay areas, while [[Quick Returns]] avoids the [[Excise]] of having to move back to the beginning after succeeding with the [[Traverse]] goal. The game space can either only allow one specific path to be followed (as in [[Snakes and Ladders]]), or allow players a [[Freedom of Choice]] to choose between different paths. The latter is an example of giving players a [[Selectable Set of Goals]]. The latter allow players to make plans depending on what [[Strategic Locations]] exist as well as what [[Enemies]] and [[Obstacles]] exist, for example, letting players choose between [[Evade]], [[Overcome]], and [[Stealth]] goals. Like the case of not giving players the location of the goal area, not providing them with all the details about the area they need to move through adds an [[Gain Information]] component and makes them have to perform not only a certain amount of [[Game World Exploration]] but also [[Game World Navigation]]; [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] and [[Traces]] can help make both tasks easier. If wanted, the need for them can be eliminated or at least significantly reduced by using [[Game State Overviews]] such as [[Mini-maps]]. | + | The layout of [[Game Worlds]] and [[Levels]] naturally affect how easy [[Traverse]] goals are to complete. [[Enemies]], [[Choke Points]], [[Conditional Passageways]], and [[Obstacles]] can make them more difficult while [[Safe Havens]] can be player respite along the way of getting the the goal areas ([[Enemies]] can in practice make some [[Traverse]] goals impossible and this can be used intentionally by game designers). |
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| + | [[Privileged Movement]] can make [[Traverse]] easier for some while having to deal with [[Enemies]] that have this can instead make it more difficult. [[Backtracking Levels]] (with a [[Check Points|Check Point]] at the point furthest away) makes more use of the gameplay areas, while [[Quick Returns]] avoids the [[Excise]] of having to move back to the beginning after succeeding with the [[Traverse]] goal. The game space can either only allow one specific path to be followed (as in [[Snakes and Ladders]]), or allow players a [[Freedom of Choice]] to choose between different paths. The latter is an example of giving players a [[Selectable Set of Goals]]. The latter allow players to make plans depending on what [[Strategic Locations]] exist as well as what [[Enemies]] and [[Obstacles]] exist, for example, letting players choose between [[Evade]], [[Overcome]], and [[Stealth]] goals. Like the case of not giving players the location of the goal area, not providing them with all the details about the area they need to move through adds an [[Gain Information]] component and makes them have to perform not only a certain amount of [[Game World Exploration]] but also [[Game World Navigation]]; [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] and [[Traces]] can help make both tasks easier. If wanted, the need for them can be eliminated or at least significantly reduced by using [[Game State Overviews]] such as [[Mini-maps]]. | ||
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=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
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=== Diegetic Aspects === | === Diegetic Aspects === | ||
Revision as of 12:50, 9 September 2011
...
This pattern is a still a stub.
The goal to try and move a game element from one position in the game to another. Board games such as Backgammon and Ludo and all sports Race s from the 100 Meter Dash to marathons to horse Races are examples of Traverse used together with Race.
Contents
Examples
Example: Moving one's pawn to the opposite end of the board is a Traverse goal in Chess.
Example: Platform games such as those in the Mario or Super Monkey Ball seriescan be defined as having Traverse goals of going from the beginning of a level to the end.
Left 4 Dead series Assassin's Creed series
Pool Games such as Eight-ball and Snooker
Using the pattern
Traverse goals are often introduce in games to create Races, or to make it sure (or at least make it likely) that players visit certain parts of Game Worlds or Levels. Quests and Game World Navigation tasks can specifically require Traverse goals to be completed and Levels can in themselves be seen as creating Traverse goals since they most often have an entry and exit point which players need to move between to finish them. The mere existence of Game Worlds can also indirectly cause Traverse goals to emerge whenever players have a reason to want game elements to be in another locations. For example, Strategic Locations such as Chargers can make players want to move game elements close to them, especially if the can gain Area Control over them, and the presence of Big Dumb Objects may make players want to get to them simply to investigate them. The three main considerations when designing Traverse goals are where the goal area is, how one can move to get there, and the layout of the actual game space that has to be moved through to get there.
The simplest way to define goal areas is to make use of Check Points, and if the overall distanced need to be traveled is long this can be broken down into several Supporting Goals each with their own Check Point (races in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas does this) or through making Goal Hierarchies (the overall game structure in many of the games in the Super Mario Bros series can be described like this). The intermittent goals make natural locations for Save Points, although the use of these may disrupt the Temporal Consistency of a game. While simply getting to the area may be enough to complete the goal, a couple of more specific Traverse goals with other requirements exist. One common variant is Delivery, where a goal object needs by somebody to the goal area (Capture the Flag matches in the Quake series are examples of this). Another is Herding, where Indirect Control and Units are used to make players in various ways affect another game object to make it move to a specific point (Pool Games such as Eight-ball and Snooker are examples of this). Not giving players the location of the goal area adds an Gain Information component to the pattern, and this forces players to engage in Game World Exploration.
Movement is a basic requirement for Traverse goals to be possible at all, but when players have a Freedom of Choice regarding the means of Movement available this can create Risk/Reward situations or require players to do Trade-Offs. Privileged Movement and Vehicles can provide Asymmetric Abilities regarding this, making Traverse goals different to different players or different between game instances.
If some form of Limited Resources is consumed by the Movement required to reach the Traverse goal, this can create more Complex Gameplay especially if the rate of consumption depend on factors such as speed, vehicle used, and environment traveled in.
The layout of Game Worlds and Levels naturally affect how easy Traverse goals are to complete. Enemies, Choke Points, Conditional Passageways, and Obstacles can make them more difficult while Safe Havens can be player respite along the way of getting the the goal areas (Enemies can in practice make some Traverse goals impossible and this can be used intentionally by game designers).
Privileged Movement can make Traverse easier for some while having to deal with Enemies that have this can instead make it more difficult. Backtracking Levels (with a Check Point at the point furthest away) makes more use of the gameplay areas, while Quick Returns avoids the Excise of having to move back to the beginning after succeeding with the Traverse goal. The game space can either only allow one specific path to be followed (as in Snakes and Ladders), or allow players a Freedom of Choice to choose between different paths. The latter is an example of giving players a Selectable Set of Goals. The latter allow players to make plans depending on what Strategic Locations exist as well as what Enemies and Obstacles exist, for example, letting players choose between Evade, Overcome, and Stealth goals. Like the case of not giving players the location of the goal area, not providing them with all the details about the area they need to move through adds an Gain Information component and makes them have to perform not only a certain amount of Game World Exploration but also Game World Navigation; Diegetically Outstanding Features and Traces can help make both tasks easier. If wanted, the need for them can be eliminated or at least significantly reduced by using Game State Overviews such as Mini-maps.
By making the Goal Point initially an Inaccessible Area, the Traverse goal can be the main goal of a Hierarchy of Goals, where several other sorts of activity besides Movement need to be performed. When the reason for a Traverse goal is to achieve Area Control of the Goal Point, the Strategic Location of the Goal Point needs to be considered, as this will modulate the willingness of players to strive for the goal.
Can Be Instantiated By
,
Diegetic Aspects
Traverse is a Diegetic Pattern in that in related to trying to move from one part to another in a diegetic world.
Narrative Aspects
As Traverse depends on players moving from one area within a Game World to the other, the completion of the goal guarantees that the player has changed environment. This can be used to set up progression in Predetermined Story Structures.
Consequences
Traverse goals gives players clear goals related to Movement and achieving Contact with a specific game object or game area. They most often allows players to judge their local progress by their position in the game space, but while this may seem to remove the need of Progress Indicators if the end point is known - since the positions of player's game elements provide a diegetic measure of progress - it does not necessarily provide good overviews. Making players think about how they should move their Focus Loci or other game elements to succeeded with the Traverse goals is likely to support Spatial Engrossment.
While Traverse goals are often placed in games to create Races, the presence of other types of Traverse goals can make Races emerge if two or more Agents decide to strive for the Traverse goals (an example of this can be found in the Civilization series where different players may be rushing to find as many ruins as possible before other players do). Traverse goals through environments containing Enemies suggest Stealth goals to players as long as the environment and the perceptual abilities of the Enemies make this possible.
Try to performing Aim & Shoot actions while also trying to achieve Traverse goals is more difficult than doing just one.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Contact, Game World Navigation, Quests, Predetermined Story Structures, Races, Spatial Engrossment
with Enemies
with Gain Information
with Limited Resources
with Selectable Set of Goals
Can Modulate
Aim & Shoot, Game Worlds, Levels
Can Be Instantiated By
Area Control, Big Dumb Objects, Chargers, Check Points, Delivery, Game World Navigation, Herding, Inaccessible Areas, Levels, Movement, Quests, Strategic Locations
Can Be Modulated By
Backtracking Levels, Choke Points, Conditional Passageways, Diegetically Outstanding Features, Enemies, Gain Information, Game State Overviews, Goal Hierarchies, Mini-maps, Obstacles, Privileged Movement, Quick Returns, Safe Havens, Save Points, Supporting Goals, Traces, Vehicles
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
History
An updated version of the pattern Traverse 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.
