Difference between revisions of "Loot"
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''Random items found in game worlds that function as rewards.'' | ''Random items found in game worlds that function as rewards.'' | ||
| − | + | [[Loot]] is the reward players can gain from defeated enemies (or innocent victims) by taking their possessions. This may be weapons and armor they used to defend themselves with as well as tools or other material goods. | |
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| − | + | [[Loot]] first appeared in [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] such as [[Dungeons & Dragons]] although it was referred to as ''random treasure''. [[:Category:Computer-based Roleplaying Games|Computer-based versions]] inherited this, both in single-player games such as [[Nethack]], the [[Diablo series]], and the [[Dragon Age series]], and in multiplayer games such as [[Kingdoms]] and [[World of Warcraft]]. The [[Quake series]] and [[Borderlands]] are examples of how [[Loot]] are used in other types of games. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | [[Dungeons & Dragons]] | + | |
| − | [[Dragon Age series]] | + | |
| − | + | ||
| − | [[Borderlands]] | + | |
[[Drakborgen]] should an inverse example of the pattern; players try to get into a dragon's lair and get as much [[Loot]] as possible before it awakens. | [[Drakborgen]] should an inverse example of the pattern; players try to get into a dragon's lair and get as much [[Loot]] as possible before it awakens. | ||
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The two primary considerations for designing [[Loot]] is when players should receive them and what they should consist of. The most common source for [[Loot]] is [[Enemies]] that drop them when they are killed, as for example found in [[Dungeons & Dragons]], [[Borderlands]] and the [[Dragon Age series]]. Other sources include [[Non-Player Characters]] but any type of [[Inhabitants]] that can be the target for [[Eliminate]] goals can work. | The two primary considerations for designing [[Loot]] is when players should receive them and what they should consist of. The most common source for [[Loot]] is [[Enemies]] that drop them when they are killed, as for example found in [[Dungeons & Dragons]], [[Borderlands]] and the [[Dragon Age series]]. Other sources include [[Non-Player Characters]] but any type of [[Inhabitants]] that can be the target for [[Eliminate]] goals can work. | ||
| − | Typical types of [[Loot]] include [[Weapons]], [[Tools]], [[Equipment]], and units of more general [[Resources]], e.g. gold or energy. [[Loot]] can of course consist of many individual items, so these can be combined in one case of [[Loot]]. [[Randomness]] is a core part of [[Loot]]; if what [[Loot]] is acquired is completely known in advance the design instead becomes the more general [[Resources]] instead. This does not mean that [[Loot]] needs to be completely random among all possible game elements, the exact composition of any given [[Loot]] may be bounded to maintain [[Diegetic Consistency]] and to maintain [[Red Queen Dilemma]]. In games with [[Game Masters]], they can tailor the [[Loot]] to having [[Balancing Effect]] or support [[Narration Structures]], and the fourth edition of [[Dungeons & Dragons]] suggest that players should give their [[Game Masters]] wish lists for what magic items they would like to find as part of [[Loot]]. | + | Typical types of [[Loot]] include [[Weapons]], [[Tools]], [[Equipment]], and units of more general [[Resources]], e.g. gold or energy. [[Loot]] can of course consist of many individual items, so these can be combined in one case of [[Loot]]. [[Randomness]] is a core part of [[Loot]]; if what [[Loot]] is acquired is completely known in advance the design instead becomes the more general [[Resources]] instead. This does not mean that [[Loot]] needs to be completely random among all possible game elements, the exact composition of any given [[Loot]] may be bounded to maintain [[Diegetic Consistency]] and to maintain [[Red Queen Dilemma]]. In games with [[Game Masters]], they can tailor the [[Loot]] to having [[Balancing Effect]] or support [[Narration Structures]], and the fourth edition of [[Dungeons & Dragons]] suggest that players should give their [[Game Masters]] wish lists for what magic items they would like to find as part of [[Loot]]. Player interest for [[Loot]] can be increased by introducing [[Sets]], as done e.g. in the [[Diablo series]]. |
| − | + | ||
| − | [[Sets]] | + | |
For [[Multiplayer Games]], [[Loot Rights]] may be used to mechanize how [[Loot]] will be distributed among players. | For [[Multiplayer Games]], [[Loot Rights]] may be used to mechanize how [[Loot]] will be distributed among players. | ||
=== Diegetic Aspects === | === Diegetic Aspects === | ||
| − | As mentioned earlier, [[Diegetic Consistency]] may influence what type of [[Loot]] should be given so not to break come into direct confrontation with it. | + | As mentioned earlier, [[Diegetic Consistency]] may influence what type of [[Loot]] should be given so not to break come into direct confrontation with it. Besides regulating what type of game element make thematic sense to have been carried, another aspect is that [[Diegetic Consistency]] can be broken if the [[Loot]] contains [[Tools]] or [[Weapons]] which could have helped their owners but were not used. |
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
| − | [[Loot]] is a type of [[Resources]] given as [[Rewards]] for completing [[Eliminate]] goals. By providing this, they give a motivation for players to engage in [[Combat]] (besides any other that may already exist). Since letting [[Enemies]], [[Inhabitants]], or [[Non-Player Characters]] provide [[Loot]] makes them a possible way to gain [[Resources]], this pairing makes the former into [[Resource Sources]]. | + | [[Loot]] is a type of [[Resources]] given as [[Rewards]] for completing [[Eliminate]] goals. By providing this, they give a motivation for players to engage in [[Combat]] (besides any other that may already exist). Since letting [[Enemies]], [[Inhabitants]], or [[Non-Player Characters]] provide [[Loot]] makes them a possible way to gain [[Resources]], this pairing makes the former into [[Resource Sources]]. When players know about the potential for [[Loot]], and especially if they know something about the distribution between different types of [[Loot]] and [[Sets]] are part of a game's design, the pattern gives rise to [[Anticipation]] and [[Stimulated Planning]] on how to gain it. |
| − | + | ||
| − | When players know about the potential for [[Loot]], and especially if they know something about the distribution between different types of [[Loot]], the pattern gives rise to [[Anticipation]] and [[Stimulated Planning]] on how to gain it. | + | |
In [[Multiplayer Games]], the presence of [[Loot]] can give rise to several types of [[Social Interaction]]. The first is [[Negotiation]] about who should receive what part of the [[Loot]] and this can be done through [[Voting]] or game support for [[Loot Rights]]. A possible effect of this type of [[Negotiation]] is that some players willingly abstain from [[Loot]] in the belief that the other players' will honor this by [[Delayed Reciprocity]]. A second type of [[Social Interaction]] is [[Betrayal]] that easily emerges if any player engages in ''ninja looting'', i.e. taking [[Loot]] without caring or discussing other players' wishes (this includes taking the [[Loot]] which one has had not part in generating). Related to this is ''scavenging'', collecting [[Loot]] that has been left by those who produced it due to being of little value to them. | In [[Multiplayer Games]], the presence of [[Loot]] can give rise to several types of [[Social Interaction]]. The first is [[Negotiation]] about who should receive what part of the [[Loot]] and this can be done through [[Voting]] or game support for [[Loot Rights]]. A possible effect of this type of [[Negotiation]] is that some players willingly abstain from [[Loot]] in the belief that the other players' will honor this by [[Delayed Reciprocity]]. A second type of [[Social Interaction]] is [[Betrayal]] that easily emerges if any player engages in ''ninja looting'', i.e. taking [[Loot]] without caring or discussing other players' wishes (this includes taking the [[Loot]] which one has had not part in generating). Related to this is ''scavenging'', collecting [[Loot]] that has been left by those who produced it due to being of little value to them. | ||
Revision as of 08:52, 2 April 2011
Random items found in game worlds that function as rewards.
Loot is the reward players can gain from defeated enemies (or innocent victims) by taking their possessions. This may be weapons and armor they used to defend themselves with as well as tools or other material goods.
Contents
Examples
Loot first appeared in Tabletop Roleplaying Games such as Dungeons & Dragons although it was referred to as random treasure. Computer-based versions inherited this, both in single-player games such as Nethack, the Diablo series, and the Dragon Age series, and in multiplayer games such as Kingdoms and World of Warcraft. The Quake series and Borderlands are examples of how Loot are used in other types of games.
Drakborgen should an inverse example of the pattern; players try to get into a dragon's lair and get as much Loot as possible before it awakens.
Using the pattern
The two primary considerations for designing Loot is when players should receive them and what they should consist of. The most common source for Loot is Enemies that drop them when they are killed, as for example found in Dungeons & Dragons, Borderlands and the Dragon Age series. Other sources include Non-Player Characters but any type of Inhabitants that can be the target for Eliminate goals can work.
Typical types of Loot include Weapons, Tools, Equipment, and units of more general Resources, e.g. gold or energy. Loot can of course consist of many individual items, so these can be combined in one case of Loot. Randomness is a core part of Loot; if what Loot is acquired is completely known in advance the design instead becomes the more general Resources instead. This does not mean that Loot needs to be completely random among all possible game elements, the exact composition of any given Loot may be bounded to maintain Diegetic Consistency and to maintain Red Queen Dilemma. In games with Game Masters, they can tailor the Loot to having Balancing Effect or support Narration Structures, and the fourth edition of Dungeons & Dragons suggest that players should give their Game Masters wish lists for what magic items they would like to find as part of Loot. Player interest for Loot can be increased by introducing Sets, as done e.g. in the Diablo series.
For Multiplayer Games, Loot Rights may be used to mechanize how Loot will be distributed among players.
Diegetic Aspects
As mentioned earlier, Diegetic Consistency may influence what type of Loot should be given so not to break come into direct confrontation with it. Besides regulating what type of game element make thematic sense to have been carried, another aspect is that Diegetic Consistency can be broken if the Loot contains Tools or Weapons which could have helped their owners but were not used.
Consequences
Loot is a type of Resources given as Rewards for completing Eliminate goals. By providing this, they give a motivation for players to engage in Combat (besides any other that may already exist). Since letting Enemies, Inhabitants, or Non-Player Characters provide Loot makes them a possible way to gain Resources, this pairing makes the former into Resource Sources. When players know about the potential for Loot, and especially if they know something about the distribution between different types of Loot and Sets are part of a game's design, the pattern gives rise to Anticipation and Stimulated Planning on how to gain it.
In Multiplayer Games, the presence of Loot can give rise to several types of Social Interaction. The first is Negotiation about who should receive what part of the Loot and this can be done through Voting or game support for Loot Rights. A possible effect of this type of Negotiation is that some players willingly abstain from Loot in the belief that the other players' will honor this by Delayed Reciprocity. A second type of Social Interaction is Betrayal that easily emerges if any player engages in ninja looting, i.e. taking Loot without caring or discussing other players' wishes (this includes taking the Loot which one has had not part in generating). Related to this is scavenging, collecting Loot that has been left by those who produced it due to being of little value to them.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Anticipation, Red Queen Dilemma, Resources, Rewards, Stimulated Planning
with Enemies, Inhabitants, or Non-Player Characters
with Multiplayer Games
Betrayal, Delayed Reciprocity, Negotiation, Social Interaction, Voting
Can Modulate
Combat, Eliminate, Enemies, Game Masters, Inhabitants, Non-Player Characters
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Diegetic Consistency, Loot Rights
Possible Closure Effects
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Potentially Conflicting With
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History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
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Acknowledgments
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