Difference between revisions of "Game Pauses"
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== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
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| + | [[Framed Freedom]], | ||
| + | [[Social Interaction]], | ||
| + | [[Unwinnable Games]] | ||
| − | One way of modulating [[Game Pauses]] is to limit how long they can be, that is, connect [[Time Limits]] to them. | + | [[Game Pauses]] are introduced in games to interrupt the otherwise progress of game events occurring. This means that [[Game Pauses]] are typically introduced into games where this would automatically occur otherwise, i.e. [[Real-Time Games]] and [[Tick-Based Games]]. |
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| + | While [[Game Pauses]] in their most basic form simply is the halting of updates to a game state, some other patterns cause it. [[Cutscenes]] stops the game state from being updated while showing information to players while [[Save-Load Cycles]] not only stops updates to game states but replace the current game state with another. [[Turn-Based Games]] are often more easy to introduce [[Game Pauses]] in since it can be very clear between which turns a pause is done (and all players that did not have a turn just before the pause were likely to have some form of [[Downtime]] already). One way of modulating [[Game Pauses]] is to limit how long they can be, that is, connect [[Time Limits]] to them. | ||
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| + | Entering [[Inventories]] often cause games to pause regarding everything but the actual manipulation of [[Game Items]] in the [[Inventories]]. This is basically a [[Game Pauses|Game Pause]] applied to most of the game state, so the pattern can be seen as a way to modify how [[Inventories]] work. | ||
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
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When players themselves can trigger these [[Game Pauses]], it provides them with [[Extra-Game Actions]] that give them the [[Freedom of Choice]] when to play (especially so for [[Single-Player Games]]). This opens up for [[Casual Gameplay]], [[Negotiable Play Sessions]], [[Social Adaptability]], and [[Ubiquitous Gameplay]]. | When players themselves can trigger these [[Game Pauses]], it provides them with [[Extra-Game Actions]] that give them the [[Freedom of Choice]] when to play (especially so for [[Single-Player Games]]). This opens up for [[Casual Gameplay]], [[Negotiable Play Sessions]], [[Social Adaptability]], and [[Ubiquitous Gameplay]]. | ||
| − | + | [[Game Pauses]] work against several other patterns. Its purpose is to interrupt [[The Show Must Go On]] and since pauses may let players take their focus away from gameplay it also works against [[Attention Demanding Gameplay]] and [[Tension]]. From this perspective it also works against [[Always Vulnerable]] and [[Time Limits]] but this is only true in that it lets players interrupt their experience of the gameplay these patterns cause (as they may have to begin dealing with them against when gameplay begins again). | |
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== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
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[[Tick-Based Games]], | [[Tick-Based Games]], | ||
[[Unwinnable Games]] | [[Unwinnable Games]] | ||
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=== Can Be Instantiated By === | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
Revision as of 12:07, 16 July 2015
The suspense of progress of game time.
This pattern is a still a stub.
Contents
Examples
Anti-Examples
optional
Using the pattern
Can Modulate
Framed Freedom, Social Interaction, Unwinnable Games
Game Pauses are introduced in games to interrupt the otherwise progress of game events occurring. This means that Game Pauses are typically introduced into games where this would automatically occur otherwise, i.e. Real-Time Games and Tick-Based Games.
While Game Pauses in their most basic form simply is the halting of updates to a game state, some other patterns cause it. Cutscenes stops the game state from being updated while showing information to players while Save-Load Cycles not only stops updates to game states but replace the current game state with another. Turn-Based Games are often more easy to introduce Game Pauses in since it can be very clear between which turns a pause is done (and all players that did not have a turn just before the pause were likely to have some form of Downtime already). One way of modulating Game Pauses is to limit how long they can be, that is, connect Time Limits to them.
Entering Inventories often cause games to pause regarding everything but the actual manipulation of Game Items in the Inventories. This is basically a Game Pause applied to most of the game state, so the pattern can be seen as a way to modify how Inventories work.
Consequences
Game Pauses creates Downtime for players and provides time for them to engage in Stimulated Planning. This can provide Interruptibility but only strongly as long as it doesn't cause unwanted Downtime for other players; Game Pauses in Single-Player Games creates Drop-In/Drop-Out. The pattern also creates a simple (and weak) form of Game Time Manipulation.
When players themselves can trigger these Game Pauses, it provides them with Extra-Game Actions that give them the Freedom of Choice when to play (especially so for Single-Player Games). This opens up for Casual Gameplay, Negotiable Play Sessions, Social Adaptability, and Ubiquitous Gameplay.
Game Pauses work against several other patterns. Its purpose is to interrupt The Show Must Go On and since pauses may let players take their focus away from gameplay it also works against Attention Demanding Gameplay and Tension. From this perspective it also works against Always Vulnerable and Time Limits but this is only true in that it lets players interrupt their experience of the gameplay these patterns cause (as they may have to begin dealing with them against when gameplay begins again).
Relations
Can Instantiate
Casual Gameplay, Downtime, Extra-Game Actions, Freedom of Choice, Game Time Manipulation, Negotiable Play Sessions, Interruptibility, Social Adaptability, Stimulated Planning, Ubiquitous Gameplay
with Single-Player Games
Drop-In/Drop-Out, Freedom of Choice
Can Modulate
Framed Freedom, Inventories, Real-Time Games, Social Interaction, Tick-Based Games, Unwinnable Games
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Possible Closure Effects
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Potentially Conflicting With
Always Vulnerable, Attention Demanding Gameplay, Tension, The Show Must Go On, Time Limits
History
An updated version of the pattern Game Pauses that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[1].
References
- ↑ Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.
Acknowledgements
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