Difference between revisions of "Player/Character Skill Composites"
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[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]] | [[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]] | ||
''Outcomes of player actions that depends both on both player and character characteristics.'' | ''Outcomes of player actions that depends both on both player and character characteristics.'' | ||
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This pattern is a still a stub. | This pattern is a still a stub. | ||
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Left 4 Dead series | Left 4 Dead series | ||
laser sights | laser sights | ||
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+ | Dragon Age 2 | ||
+ | C-Robots | ||
== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
+ | Creating [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] consists of designing the outcomes of actions so that they depend both on how (and when) players perform actions and on attributes tied to [[Characters]]. Examples of ways players can show personal skills or competences include performing [[Dexterity-Based Actions]], [[Memorizing]], [[Tactical Planning]], or [[Timing]]. Examples of how [[Characters]] can affect outcomes of actions are by having [[Skills]] related to the actions, and by providing [[Tools]] and [[Weapons]]]. [[Automated Responses]] and [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] are ways to more directly tie [[Characters]] to the actual performing of the actions, and [[Zero-Player Games]] make players into the creators of [[Algorithmic Agents]] that provide [[Enforced Agent Behavior]]. | ||
+ | [[Non-Player Characters]] | ||
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− | [[ | + | [[Randomness]] |
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[[Avatars]] | [[Avatars]] | ||
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[[Combos]] can be one way of achieving [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] since actions, and even the performance of them, can be attributes of [[Characters]] but players decide when they are done. | [[Combos]] can be one way of achieving [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] since actions, and even the performance of them, can be attributes of [[Characters]] but players decide when they are done. | ||
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− | [[Combat]] is an activity that quite often depends on [[Player/Character Skill Composites]]. One example is making hitting depend on player skill while [[Damage]] depends on character | + | [[Combat]] is an activity that quite often depends on [[Player/Character Skill Composites]]. One example is making hitting depend on player skill while [[Damage]] depends on character [[Skills]] and [[Weapons]]. The difficulty of performing [[Aim & Shoot]] actions can more tightly merge the two components through having player do the aiming but let the sway of the aim depend on [[Weapons]] and their [[Upgrades]], as well as on [[Skills]]. |
− | + | [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] have to balance [[Character Development]] with [[Game Mastery]] if any of the two are to exist in a game. Those where [[Game Mastery]] over time influences outcomes more than [[Character Development]] lessen the [[Value of Effort]] for the [[Character Development]]; this may however be compensated by the [[Value of Effort]] having the mastery represents. It may however also make [[Player Balance]] difficult to achieve without other [[Balancing Effects]]. Dominating influence from [[Character Development]] can directly work against [[Game Mastery]] occuring (see Linderoth 2010<ref name="linderoth"/> for a discussion related to this). Note that this is not the same type of balance that needs to be maintained between difficulty and chance to succeed to create [[Red Queen Dilemmas]]. | |
[[Grinding]] | [[Grinding]] | ||
[[Smooth Learning Curves]] | [[Smooth Learning Curves]] | ||
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=== Diegetic Aspects === | === Diegetic Aspects === | ||
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=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
+ | [[Automated Responses]], | ||
+ | [[Characters]], | ||
[[Combos]], | [[Combos]], | ||
+ | [[Dexterity-Based Actions]], | ||
[[Damage]], | [[Damage]], | ||
− | [[ | + | [[Enforced Agent Behavior]], |
+ | [[Memorizing]], | ||
+ | [[Skills]], | ||
+ | [[Tactical Planning]], | ||
+ | [[Timing]], | ||
[[Tools]], | [[Tools]], | ||
[[Upgrades]], | [[Upgrades]], | ||
− | [[Weapons]] | + | [[Weapons]], |
+ | [[Zero-Player Games]] | ||
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
− | + | [[Character Development]], | |
+ | [[Game Mastery]] | ||
=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === |
Revision as of 12:17, 8 April 2011
Outcomes of player actions that depends both on both player and character characteristics.
This pattern is a still a stub.
Can also depend on equipment.
Contents
Examples
GURPS Dungeons & Dragons
Borderlands
Left 4 Dead series laser sights
Dragon Age 2 C-Robots
Using the pattern
Creating Player/Character Skill Composites consists of designing the outcomes of actions so that they depend both on how (and when) players perform actions and on attributes tied to Characters. Examples of ways players can show personal skills or competences include performing Dexterity-Based Actions, Memorizing, Tactical Planning, or Timing. Examples of how Characters can affect outcomes of actions are by having Skills related to the actions, and by providing Tools and Weapons]. Automated Responses and Enforced Agent Behavior are ways to more directly tie Characters to the actual performing of the actions, and Zero-Player Games make players into the creators of Algorithmic Agents that provide Enforced Agent Behavior.
Combos can be one way of achieving Player/Character Skill Composites since actions, and even the performance of them, can be attributes of Characters but players decide when they are done.
Combat is an activity that quite often depends on Player/Character Skill Composites. One example is making hitting depend on player skill while Damage depends on character Skills and Weapons. The difficulty of performing Aim & Shoot actions can more tightly merge the two components through having player do the aiming but let the sway of the aim depend on Weapons and their Upgrades, as well as on Skills.
Player/Character Skill Composites have to balance Character Development with Game Mastery if any of the two are to exist in a game. Those where Game Mastery over time influences outcomes more than Character Development lessen the Value of Effort for the Character Development; this may however be compensated by the Value of Effort having the mastery represents. It may however also make Player Balance difficult to achieve without other Balancing Effects. Dominating influence from Character Development can directly work against Game Mastery occuring (see Linderoth 2010[1] for a discussion related to this). Note that this is not the same type of balance that needs to be maintained between difficulty and chance to succeed to create Red Queen Dilemmas.
Diegetic Aspects
Interface Aspects
Narrative Aspects
Consequences
Relations
Can Instantiate
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Automated Responses, Characters, Combos, Dexterity-Based Actions, Damage, Enforced Agent Behavior, Memorizing, Skills, Tactical Planning, Timing, Tools, Upgrades, Weapons, Zero-Player Games
Can Be Modulated By
Character Development, Game Mastery
Potentially Conflicting With
Game Mastery when Character Development is present
Player Balance when Game Mastery is present
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
- ↑ Why gamers donʼt learn more - An ecological approach to games as learning environments. In proceedings of Nordic DiGRA 2010.