Difference between revisions of "Value of Effort"
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== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| − | + | Supporting players in being able to feel a [[Value of Effort]] is typically related to providing them means of performing actions and ways of providing feedback that show that these actions had meaning. | |
| − | [[ | + | [[Geometric Progression]] together with [[Extended Actions]] or [[Positive Feedback Loops]] |
| − | + | ||
| + | One way to provide extra value to the effort players have shown is to make this visible to others. This can be more or less automatic in [[Massively Multiplayer Online Games]] but in general [[Public Player Statistics]] (such as [[High Score Lists]]) can be used for this purpose. | ||
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| + | [[Persistent Game World Changes]], | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Achievements]] are something that typically can be added to a game design after the core and main gameplay is in place. Not all types of [[Achievements]] support [[Value of Effort]] &emdash; for example [[Testing Achievements]] is more related to making players explore the possibilities of the game &emdash; but [[Goal Achievements]], [[Grind Achievements]], and [[Handicap Achievements]] add value to completing certain goals, showing endurance, and taking on extra difficulties respectively. | ||
=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
[[Abstract Player Construct Development]], | [[Abstract Player Construct Development]], | ||
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[[Character Development]], | [[Character Development]], | ||
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], | [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], | ||
[[Further Player Improvement Potential]], | [[Further Player Improvement Potential]], | ||
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| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Pottering]], | [[Pottering]], | ||
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[[Unlocking]] | [[Unlocking]] | ||
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[[Construction]] together with [[Extra-Game Broadcasting]], [[Irreversible Events]], or [[Persistent Game Worlds]] | [[Construction]] together with [[Extra-Game Broadcasting]], [[Irreversible Events]], or [[Persistent Game Worlds]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Persistent Game Worlds]] together with [[Character Development]] or [[Player-Planned Development]] | [[Persistent Game Worlds]] together with [[Character Development]] or [[Player-Planned Development]] | ||
[[Speedruns]] together with [[Extra-Game Broadcasting]] | [[Speedruns]] together with [[Extra-Game Broadcasting]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Designing for [[Value of Effort]] in a game is not only about making players effort feel meaningful for them, it is considering how player actions and game events can diminish or destroy those efforts. Therefor, giving players the possibility of feeling a [[Value of Effort]] can often require much thought about what other patterns to avoid or at least use carefully. A prime example is [[Setback Penalties]] which quite clearly can remove player effort. Others, for example [[Luck]] and [[Randomness]] can put in question if making an effort is worthwhile. [[Balancing Effects]], [[Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment]], and [[Fudged Results]] can do this also to a lesser degree and may not disturb [[Value of Effort]] if done skillfully. [[Non-Player Help]], [[Player Augmentations]], and [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] all remove so of the skill needed by players to complete goals or overcome challenges which can reduce the [[Value of Effort]] of doing so; [[Grinding]] and [[Purchasable Game Advantages]] can likewise do so by replacing a need for skill with endurance or money. [[Backtracking Levels]] lessens the value of having reached the turnaround point of the [[Levels|Level]] but otherwise does not have to critically affect the [[Value of Effort]] in a game. In contrast, reaching [[Unwinnable Game States]] can make players realize or feel that all their previous efforts have been in vain. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Multiplayer Games]] can both remove [[Value of Effort]] for individual players by having other players do the necessary work (typically in games with [[Cooperation]]) or by allowing players to perform actions that goes counter to other players efforts; in the latter case this is especially likely if actions are [[Interruptible Actions]]. [[Multiplayer Games]] that are designed to support [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] gameplay or [[Late Arriving Players]] typically also have issues with [[Value of Effort]] since the design goal described by those patterns typically require solutions that affect how stable or necessary players' efforts are. Finally regarding [[Multiplayer Games]], those that allow [[Predictable Winner]] can completely remove the [[Value of Effort]] for other players (except maybe through encouraging [[Kingmaker]] actions). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Besides being a [[:Category:Subjective Patterns|Subjective Pattern]], [[Value of Effort]] is fickle since players may feel that a game rewards their efforts at one moment but the next feel they don't due to some event or action by another player sabotaging those efforts. [[Irreversible Events]] can avoid this by making players action cause such events, but this often needs to be balanced with letting players influence each others gameplay and providing [[Tension]]. [[Discontinuous Progression]] can be used as an alternative. By having efforts that can be interrupted or sabotaged be translated into safe effort at certain points, a game design can provide [[Tension]] and possibilities of players influencing each other until enough effort has been put into some action or goal and then translate that to something which players can safely feel a [[Value of Effort]] about. | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
Revision as of 10:41, 2 December 2015
The gameplay experience of that one's efforts during gameplay have value.
Practically all games make players perform action during (or before) game instances. However, not all require or allow for actions where players can put meaningful effort into these actions, and not all games
Contents
Examples
Anti-Examples
optional
Using the pattern
Supporting players in being able to feel a Value of Effort is typically related to providing them means of performing actions and ways of providing feedback that show that these actions had meaning.
Geometric Progression together with Extended Actions or Positive Feedback Loops
One way to provide extra value to the effort players have shown is to make this visible to others. This can be more or less automatic in Massively Multiplayer Online Games but in general Public Player Statistics (such as High Score Lists) can be used for this purpose.
Persistent Game World Changes,
Achievements are something that typically can be added to a game design after the core and main gameplay is in place. Not all types of Achievements support Value of Effort &emdash; for example Testing Achievements is more related to making players explore the possibilities of the game &emdash; but Goal Achievements, Grind Achievements, and Handicap Achievements add value to completing certain goals, showing endurance, and taking on extra difficulties respectively.
Can Be Instantiated By
Abstract Player Construct Development, Character Development, Exaggerated Perception of Influence, Further Player Improvement Potential, Pottering, Unlocking
Characters together with Player-Planned Development
Construction together with Extra-Game Broadcasting, Irreversible Events, or Persistent Game Worlds
Persistent Game Worlds together with Character Development or Player-Planned Development
Speedruns together with Extra-Game Broadcasting
Designing for Value of Effort in a game is not only about making players effort feel meaningful for them, it is considering how player actions and game events can diminish or destroy those efforts. Therefor, giving players the possibility of feeling a Value of Effort can often require much thought about what other patterns to avoid or at least use carefully. A prime example is Setback Penalties which quite clearly can remove player effort. Others, for example Luck and Randomness can put in question if making an effort is worthwhile. Balancing Effects, Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment, and Fudged Results can do this also to a lesser degree and may not disturb Value of Effort if done skillfully. Non-Player Help, Player Augmentations, and Player/Character Skill Composites all remove so of the skill needed by players to complete goals or overcome challenges which can reduce the Value of Effort of doing so; Grinding and Purchasable Game Advantages can likewise do so by replacing a need for skill with endurance or money. Backtracking Levels lessens the value of having reached the turnaround point of the Level but otherwise does not have to critically affect the Value of Effort in a game. In contrast, reaching Unwinnable Game States can make players realize or feel that all their previous efforts have been in vain.
Multiplayer Games can both remove Value of Effort for individual players by having other players do the necessary work (typically in games with Cooperation) or by allowing players to perform actions that goes counter to other players efforts; in the latter case this is especially likely if actions are Interruptible Actions. Multiplayer Games that are designed to support Drop-In/Drop-Out gameplay or Late Arriving Players typically also have issues with Value of Effort since the design goal described by those patterns typically require solutions that affect how stable or necessary players' efforts are. Finally regarding Multiplayer Games, those that allow Predictable Winner can completely remove the Value of Effort for other players (except maybe through encouraging Kingmaker actions).
Besides being a Subjective Pattern, Value of Effort is fickle since players may feel that a game rewards their efforts at one moment but the next feel they don't due to some event or action by another player sabotaging those efforts. Irreversible Events can avoid this by making players action cause such events, but this often needs to be balanced with letting players influence each others gameplay and providing Tension. Discontinuous Progression can be used as an alternative. By having efforts that can be interrupted or sabotaged be translated into safe effort at certain points, a game design can provide Tension and possibilities of players influencing each other until enough effort has been put into some action or goal and then translate that to something which players can safely feel a Value of Effort about.
Can Be Modulated By
Arithmetic Progression, Player Elimination
Diegetic Aspects
Interface Aspects
Narration Aspects
Consequences
Players can feel Tension when they perceive that Value of Effort can be achieved in a game since this makes their actions more valuable and therefore more important to succeed with.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Can Modulate
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Can Be Instantiated By
Abstract Player Construct Development, Achievements, Character Development, Discontinuous Progression, Exaggerated Perception of Influence, Further Player Improvement Potential, Goal Achievements, Grind Achievements, Handicap Achievements, Irreversible Events, Massively Multiplayer Online Games, Persistent Game World Changes, Pottering, Public Player Statistics, Unlocking
Characters together with Player-Planned Development
Construction together with Extra-Game Broadcasting, Irreversible Events, or Persistent Game Worlds
Geometric Progression together with Extended Actions or Positive Feedback Loops
Persistent Game Worlds together with Character Development or Player-Planned Development
Speedruns together with Extra-Game Broadcasting
Can Be Modulated By
Arithmetic Progression, Player Elimination
Possible Closure Effects
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Potentially Conflicting With
Backtracking Levels, Balancing Effects, Drop-In/Drop-Out, Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment, Fudged Results, Grinding, Interruptible Actions, Late Arriving Players, Luck, Multiplayer Games, Non-Player Help, Player Augmentations, Player/Character Skill Composites, Predictable Winner, Purchasable Game Advantages, Randomness, Setback Penalties, Unwinnable Game States
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
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Acknowledgements
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