Difference between revisions of "Free Game Element Manipulation"

Revision as of 19:59, 14 March 2011

The possibility for players to manipulate game elements regardless of game rules.

Some games are designed so they allow players to freely interact with the game element regardless of if this complies with its rules. While this can make gaming activities 'degenerate' into other more playful activities, it can also let players fine tune the experience to maximize their mutual enjoyment.

Examples

Basically all traditional Board Games and that are not mediated through a computer system support Free Game Element Manipulation. Several of those played on computers do allow this as well, especially in single-player mode, but this depends on the implementation. An example of a more modern game that allows Free Game Element Manipulation even in computerized form is the iPhone och iPod touch versions of the M.I.G. quiz game.

Some Puzzles allow for full Free Game Element Manipulation as part of the rules. The Tangram, the Ostomachion, and all Jigsaw Puzzles are examples of this, and the computer-based Incredible Machine game series can be seen as a weak example of this since it allows free manipulation before the game world is activated.

Tabletop Roleplaying Games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay let players move representations of themselves freely, although game masters may overrule their actions for various reasons.

Using the pattern

Self-Facilitated Games are by their nature open to Free Game Element Manipulation even if it may cause discussions among players. Human Dedicated Game Facilitators can allow the free manipulation of game elements also but for mechanical or computerized need to be constructed to do so or will actively work against the pattern.

Game Masters

Interface Aspects

Free Game Element Manipulation is more of an interface pattern than a gameplay pattern but has considerable consequences on gameplay.

Consequences

Free Game Element Manipulation allow players the Freedom of Choice to ignore or modify rules as they please. While this may turn a gaming activity into a playing activity, when used with moderation it can give players the power of making Fudged Results, Player Decided Results, and performing Game Element Insertion while still gaming. One aspect of this is that players can themselves modify the setup of a game, or the game state of an ongoing game, to provide Player Balance. By doing this, as well as setting up examples when describing the game rules, Free Game Element Manipulation can support Smooth Learning Curves.

Given the power Free Game Element Manipulation provides to players, it makes it difficult for games to also contain Irreversible Events, No Direct Player Influence, and Ultra-Powerful Events.

Relations

Can Instantiate

Freedom of Choice, Fudged Results, Game Element Insertion, Player Balance, Player Decided Results, Smooth Learning Curves

Can Modulate

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Can Be Instantiated By

Self-Facilitated Games

Can Be Modulated By

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Possible Closure Effects

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Potentially Conflicting With

Dedicated Game Facilitators Irreversible Events, No Direct Player Influence, Ultra-Powerful Events

History

New pattern created in this wiki.

References

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Acknowledgements

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