Difference between revisions of "Quests"
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== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| − | Designing [[Quests]] consists of selecting goals, [[Rewards]], and how players are made aware of them. | + | Designing [[Quests]] consists of selecting goals, [[Rewards]], and how players are made aware of them. Most goals can be used for [[Quests]] but some are more common than others: [[Capture]], [[Collection]], [[Delivery]], [[Eliminate]], [[Evade]], [[Exploration]], [[Gain Information]], [[Gain Ownership]], [[Herd]], [[Race]], [[Rescue]], [[Stealth]], [[Survive]], and [[Traverse]]. These goals can of course involve various types of [[Enemies]], [[Game Elements]], [[Traps]], etc., depending on what type of goal is used, but [[MacGuffins]] is worth mentioning since they do not have any gameplay function besides that of the goal but can still have diegetic roles. While any type of [[Rewards]] can work, gaining [[Companions]] may be more suitable than in other contexts due to the diegetic social context. Another type of [[Rewards|Reward]] is to let players prove their [[Loyalty]]. While game systems can provide [[Quests]] directly to players, it can be done diegetically through [[Dialogues]] with [[Non-Player Characters]]. By using [[NPCs]] that are connected to [[Factions]] this can linked to [[Narration Structures]] and possibly [[Internal Rivalry]]. An alternative in how to provide [[Quests]] is to let it be known through [[Gossip]] or [[Eavesdropping]]. |
| − | + | Two main varieties of [[Quests]] exist, [[Main Quest]] that needs to be completed to finish a game and optional [[Sidequests]]. The gameplay of [[Quests]] can be made more [[Challenging Gameplay|Challenging]] and [[Complex Gameplay|Complex]] by introducing [[Enemies]], [[Factions]] (potentially with [[Incompatible Goals]]), or subgoals (i.e. [[Hierarchies of Goals]] consisting of [[Quests]]). They can be made easier through using [[Helpers]]. By making [[Quests]] into [[Committed Goals]], [[Penalties]] can be linked to failing them and thereby making them into [[Risk/Rewards]] considerations. | |
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| − | Two main varieties of [[Quests]] exist, [[Main Quest]] that needs to be completed to finish a game and optional [[Sidequests]]. The gameplay of [[Quests]] can be made more [[Challenging Gameplay|Challenging]] and [[Complex Gameplay|Complex]] by introducing [[Enemies]] or subgoals (i.e. [[Hierarchies of Goals]] consisting of [[Quests]]). They can be made easier through using [[Helpers]]. By making [[Quests]] into [[Committed Goals]], [[Penalties]] can be linked to failing them and thereby making them into [[Risk/Rewards]] considerations. | + | |
[[Testing Achievements]] are be linked to [[Quests]] to further encourage them to be completed, or to replay them in other ways. | [[Testing Achievements]] are be linked to [[Quests]] to further encourage them to be completed, or to replay them in other ways. | ||
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=== Diegetic Aspects === | === Diegetic Aspects === | ||
| − | + | Since [[Quests]] explicitly state the [[Rewards]] and the requirements associated with received them, they draw attention to the mechanical aspect of a game and thereby may work against [[Narrative Engrossment]] | |
| − | + | and point out any problems with [[Diegetic Consistency]]. This is especially true for [[Persistent Game Worlds]], and [[Quests]] may be necessary for these to be able to have [[Narration Structures]]. | |
=== Narrative Aspects === | === Narrative Aspects === | ||
| − | [[Quests]] have many aspects related to [[Narration Structures]] in games since they require providing | + | [[Quests]] have many aspects related to [[Narration Structures]] in games since they require providing players with intentions for tasks and planning what the effects of completing those tasks, as well as possibly creating [[Agents]] or [[Factions]] that provide the [[Quests]]. |
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
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== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
=== Can Instantiate === | === Can Instantiate === | ||
| + | [[Loyalty]], | ||
[[Narration Structures]], | [[Narration Structures]], | ||
[[Predefined Story Structures]] | [[Predefined Story Structures]] | ||
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[[Agents]], | [[Agents]], | ||
[[Companions]], | [[Companions]], | ||
| − | [[Open Destiny]] | + | [[Internal Rivalry]], |
| + | [[Open Destiny]], | ||
| + | [[Persistent Game Worlds]] | ||
=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
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[[Evade]], | [[Evade]], | ||
[[Exploration]], | [[Exploration]], | ||
| + | [[Factions]], | ||
[[Gain Information]], | [[Gain Information]], | ||
[[Gain Ownership]], | [[Gain Ownership]], | ||
[[Herd]], | [[Herd]], | ||
| + | [[MacGuffins]], | ||
[[Main Quest]], | [[Main Quest]], | ||
[[Non-Player Characters]], | [[Non-Player Characters]], | ||
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=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
[[Committed Goals]], | [[Committed Goals]], | ||
| + | [[Eavesdropping]], | ||
[[Enemies]], | [[Enemies]], | ||
| + | [[Factions]], | ||
| + | [[Gossip]], | ||
[[Helpers]], | [[Helpers]], | ||
[[Non-Player Characters]], | [[Non-Player Characters]], | ||
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=== Possible Closure Effects === | === Possible Closure Effects === | ||
| + | - | ||
=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| + | [[Diegetic Consistency]], | ||
| + | [[Narrative Engrossment]] | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Revision as of 23:20, 19 March 2011
Goals within games with rewards associated to their completion.
While players need to complete many goals in a game, not all are clearly described with how they should be completed nor what rewards they will give. Quests on the other hand are goals where both finishing requirements and rewards are wellknown in advance.
Contents
Examples
The gameplay in roleplaying games such as the Fallout series and The Elder Scrolls series is structured around solving Quests, some which are needed to finish the game and some which are optional. This also goes for action roleplaying games such as Torchlight.
Games such as Ravenwood Fair and Zombie Lane on social media sites direct players efforts in games by providing several Quests players can work on in parallel.
Using the pattern
Designing Quests consists of selecting goals, Rewards, and how players are made aware of them. Most goals can be used for Quests but some are more common than others: Capture, Collection, Delivery, Eliminate, Evade, Exploration, Gain Information, Gain Ownership, Herd, Race, Rescue, Stealth, Survive, and Traverse. These goals can of course involve various types of Enemies, Game Elements, Traps, etc., depending on what type of goal is used, but MacGuffins is worth mentioning since they do not have any gameplay function besides that of the goal but can still have diegetic roles. While any type of Rewards can work, gaining Companions may be more suitable than in other contexts due to the diegetic social context. Another type of Reward is to let players prove their Loyalty. While game systems can provide Quests directly to players, it can be done diegetically through Dialogues with Non-Player Characters. By using NPCs that are connected to Factions this can linked to Narration Structures and possibly Internal Rivalry. An alternative in how to provide Quests is to let it be known through Gossip or Eavesdropping.
Two main varieties of Quests exist, Main Quest that needs to be completed to finish a game and optional Sidequests. The gameplay of Quests can be made more Challenging and Complex by introducing Enemies, Factions (potentially with Incompatible Goals), or subgoals (i.e. Hierarchies of Goals consisting of Quests). They can be made easier through using Helpers. By making Quests into Committed Goals, Penalties can be linked to failing them and thereby making them into Risk/Rewards considerations.
Testing Achievements are be linked to Quests to further encourage them to be completed, or to replay them in other ways.
Diegetic Aspects
Since Quests explicitly state the Rewards and the requirements associated with received them, they draw attention to the mechanical aspect of a game and thereby may work against Narrative Engrossment and point out any problems with Diegetic Consistency. This is especially true for Persistent Game Worlds, and Quests may be necessary for these to be able to have Narration Structures.
Narrative Aspects
Quests have many aspects related to Narration Structures in games since they require providing players with intentions for tasks and planning what the effects of completing those tasks, as well as possibly creating Agents or Factions that provide the Quests.
Consequences
Given that the designs of Quests include having planned how players are introduced to them, how they complete them, and what effects solving them would be, they are Predefined Story Structures. Since these link the Narration Structures of a game with how the Agents in it behave, Quests can be seen as a way of defining them and creating or steering their Open Destiny. Quests can provide players with both Anticipation and Hovering Closures since they can observe their own progression and know what the requirements for completing them are.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Loyalty, Narration Structures, Predefined Story Structures
with Committed Goals
with Enemies or Hierarchies of Goals
Challenging Gameplay, Complex Gameplay
Can Modulate
Agents, Companions, Internal Rivalry, Open Destiny, Persistent Game Worlds
Can Be Instantiated By
Capture, Collection, Dialogues, Delivery, Eliminate, Evade, Exploration, Factions, Gain Information, Gain Ownership, Herd, MacGuffins, Main Quest, Non-Player Characters, Race, Rescue, Sidequests Stealth, Survive, Traverse
Can Be Modulated By
Committed Goals, Eavesdropping, Enemies, Factions, Gossip, Helpers, Non-Player Characters, Testing Achievements
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
Diegetic Consistency, Narrative Engrossment
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
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Acknowledgements
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