Difference between revisions of "Rewards"
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[[Rewards]] can be given for many different things in games, but there are some common cases. Gaining [[Ownership]] may be its own [[Rewards|Reward]] but can be strengthened by other [[Rewards]]; the same goes for [[Player Killing]] and [[Repeat Combos]]. Favorable results of [[Betting]] and [[Investments]] are [[Rewards]] as is [[Delayed Reciprocity]] when it occurs. Related to [[Investments]], [[Rewards]] can be the result of [[Arithmetic Progression]], [[Geometric Progression]], or [[Discontinuous Progression]] of player effort in comparison to the size of the [[Rewards]]. Completing [[Minigames]] typically provide [[Rewards]] unless they are only meant to be truly optional activities. These can all be given out as [[Individual Rewards]] or [[Shared Rewards]] when they finally are given out. | [[Rewards]] can be given for many different things in games, but there are some common cases. Gaining [[Ownership]] may be its own [[Rewards|Reward]] but can be strengthened by other [[Rewards]]; the same goes for [[Player Killing]] and [[Repeat Combos]]. Favorable results of [[Betting]] and [[Investments]] are [[Rewards]] as is [[Delayed Reciprocity]] when it occurs. Related to [[Investments]], [[Rewards]] can be the result of [[Arithmetic Progression]], [[Geometric Progression]], or [[Discontinuous Progression]] of player effort in comparison to the size of the [[Rewards]]. Completing [[Minigames]] typically provide [[Rewards]] unless they are only meant to be truly optional activities. These can all be given out as [[Individual Rewards]] or [[Shared Rewards]] when they finally are given out. | ||
| − | There is a wide variety of what [[Rewards]] actually can consist of. Four different types of categories of [[Rewards]] are [[Access Rewards]], [[Facilitating Rewards]], [[Social Rewards]], and [[Sustenance Rewards]] but [[Rewards]] can of course be combined to provide several of these at the same time. Providing [[Improved Abilities|Improved]] or [[New Abilities]] are common parts of [[Rewards]] (especially for [[Access Rewards]] and [[Facilitating Rewards]]); being able to do [[Game Time Manipulation]] in [[Single-Player Games]] is one such possible example. Gaining [[Experience Points]] and [[Money]] are also often part of [[Rewards]] (and may be a [[Sustenance Rewards|Sustenance Reward]]). Another very common type of [[Rewards]] the combination of [[Game Items]] and [[Money]] in the form of [[Loot]]. Other, less common, [[Rewards]] include receiving [[Extra Chances]] (for example in the form of [[Lives]]), gaining new [[Companions]], gaining entry or higher ranks in [[Factions]], being presented with the possibility of [[Quick Returns]], and being given access to [[Quick Travel]] (the three last are [[Access Rewards]]). Most of these can take the form of [[Character Development]], so [[Character Development]] tends to be a form of [[Rewards|Reward]] although losing [[Abilities]], etc. are also a form of [[Character Development]]. | + | There is a wide variety of what [[Rewards]] actually can consist of. Four different types of categories of [[Rewards]] are [[Access Rewards]], [[Facilitating Rewards]], [[Social Rewards]], and [[Sustenance Rewards]] but [[Rewards]] can of course be combined to provide several of these at the same time. Providing [[Improved Abilities|Improved]] or [[New Abilities]] are common parts of [[Rewards]] (especially for [[Access Rewards]] and [[Facilitating Rewards]]); being able to do [[Game Time Manipulation]] in [[Single-Player Games]] is one such possible example. Gaining [[Experience Points]] and [[Money]] are also often part of [[Rewards]] (and may be a [[Sustenance Rewards|Sustenance Reward]]). Another very common type of [[Rewards]] the combination of [[Game Items]] and [[Money]] in the form of [[Loot]]. Other, less common, [[Rewards]] include receiving [[Extra Chances]] (for example in the form of [[Lives]]), gaining new [[Companions]], gaining entry or higher ranks in [[Factions]], being presented with the possibility of [[Quick Returns]], and being given access to [[Quick Travel]] (the three last are [[Access Rewards]]). Most of these can take the form of [[Character Development]], so [[Character Development]] tends to be a form of [[Rewards|Reward]] although losing [[Abilities]], etc. are also a form of [[Character Development]]. [[Free Gift Inventories]] shows how [[Rewards]] can let players help other players but not directly themselves as a consequence of receiving [[Rewards]]. Most types of [[Rewards]] can actually be split in two halves, [[Unlocking]] the ability to receive or choose them and actually getting them. In this way, [[Unlocking]] shows how a [[Rewards|Reward]] does not have to be an improvement directly related to players' gameplay but can also be the potential to improve it. [[Achievements]] goes on step further and shows that [[Rewards]] can be heavily dependent on game states and player actions without having to affect the game state when players gain them. The existences of [[Goal Achievements]], [[Grind Achievements]], [[Handicap Achievements]], and [[Testing Achievements]] show how different types of actions can be rewarded. Finally, [[Illusionary Rewards]] are misperceptions that things are [[Rewards]] that aren't. |
Besides general categories of [[Rewards]] such as individual or shared ones or what type of progression they have depending on player investment, | Besides general categories of [[Rewards]] such as individual or shared ones or what type of progression they have depending on player investment, | ||
[[Rewards]] can be modified in a number of different ways. | [[Rewards]] can be modified in a number of different ways. | ||
| − | The can have [[Diminishing Returns]] or be [[Increasing Rewards]] to suit balancing needs or the wanted gameplay arc. | + | First, they may be effects of [[Mutual Goals]] between players (even in the case when they are not [[Shared Rewards]]). Second, they can be combined with [[Penalties]] to balance them or make the overall effect more complex. Third, The can have [[Diminishing Returns]] or be [[Increasing Rewards]] to suit balancing needs or the wanted gameplay arc. Fourth, they can be combined with [[Extra-Game Consequences]] (typically positive ones). Fifth, the can be affected by [[Player-Decided Distributions]] - while this perhaps makes most sense when applied to [[Shared Rewards]] and only to those sharing the [[Rewards]] one can consider players not receiving the [[Rewards]] having influence one them. |
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| + | Finally, [[Extra-Game Broadcasting]] and [[Outcome Indicators]] can be used to modify which players (and others) are informed about the [[Rewards]] and what information they are provided with. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Free Gift Inventories]] can be provided as extra [[Rewards]] that is not for the players that received the main [[Rewards]]. | ||
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=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
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[[Committed Goals]], | [[Committed Goals]], | ||
[[Continuous Goals]], | [[Continuous Goals]], | ||
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[[Identification]], | [[Identification]], | ||
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[[Player-Defined Goals]], | [[Player-Defined Goals]], | ||
[[Randomness]], | [[Randomness]], | ||
Revision as of 15:23, 10 August 2015
The one-sentence "definition" that should be in italics.
This pattern is a still a stub.
Contents
Examples
Anti-Examples
optional
Using the pattern
Can instantiate
with Geospatial Game Widgets
with Time Limits
Can Modulate
Actions Have Diegetically Social Consequences, Alternative Reality, Area Control, Attention Swapping, Bidding, Challenging Gameplay, Character Development, Fudged Results, Game Items, Gameplay Mastery, Grinding, Invites, Penalties, Player Defined Goals, Player Killing, Red Queen Dilemmas, Resource Caps, Resources, Reward Widgets, Risk/Reward, Scores, Secret Areas, Trading
Rewards can be given for many different things in games, but there are some common cases. Gaining Ownership may be its own Reward but can be strengthened by other Rewards; the same goes for Player Killing and Repeat Combos. Favorable results of Betting and Investments are Rewards as is Delayed Reciprocity when it occurs. Related to Investments, Rewards can be the result of Arithmetic Progression, Geometric Progression, or Discontinuous Progression of player effort in comparison to the size of the Rewards. Completing Minigames typically provide Rewards unless they are only meant to be truly optional activities. These can all be given out as Individual Rewards or Shared Rewards when they finally are given out.
There is a wide variety of what Rewards actually can consist of. Four different types of categories of Rewards are Access Rewards, Facilitating Rewards, Social Rewards, and Sustenance Rewards but Rewards can of course be combined to provide several of these at the same time. Providing Improved or New Abilities are common parts of Rewards (especially for Access Rewards and Facilitating Rewards); being able to do Game Time Manipulation in Single-Player Games is one such possible example. Gaining Experience Points and Money are also often part of Rewards (and may be a Sustenance Reward). Another very common type of Rewards the combination of Game Items and Money in the form of Loot. Other, less common, Rewards include receiving Extra Chances (for example in the form of Lives), gaining new Companions, gaining entry or higher ranks in Factions, being presented with the possibility of Quick Returns, and being given access to Quick Travel (the three last are Access Rewards). Most of these can take the form of Character Development, so Character Development tends to be a form of Reward although losing Abilities, etc. are also a form of Character Development. Free Gift Inventories shows how Rewards can let players help other players but not directly themselves as a consequence of receiving Rewards. Most types of Rewards can actually be split in two halves, Unlocking the ability to receive or choose them and actually getting them. In this way, Unlocking shows how a Reward does not have to be an improvement directly related to players' gameplay but can also be the potential to improve it. Achievements goes on step further and shows that Rewards can be heavily dependent on game states and player actions without having to affect the game state when players gain them. The existences of Goal Achievements, Grind Achievements, Handicap Achievements, and Testing Achievements show how different types of actions can be rewarded. Finally, Illusionary Rewards are misperceptions that things are Rewards that aren't.
Besides general categories of Rewards such as individual or shared ones or what type of progression they have depending on player investment, Rewards can be modified in a number of different ways.
First, they may be effects of Mutual Goals between players (even in the case when they are not Shared Rewards). Second, they can be combined with Penalties to balance them or make the overall effect more complex. Third, The can have Diminishing Returns or be Increasing Rewards to suit balancing needs or the wanted gameplay arc. Fourth, they can be combined with Extra-Game Consequences (typically positive ones). Fifth, the can be affected by Player-Decided Distributions - while this perhaps makes most sense when applied to Shared Rewards and only to those sharing the Rewards one can consider players not receiving the Rewards having influence one them.
Finally, Extra-Game Broadcasting and Outcome Indicators can be used to modify which players (and others) are informed about the Rewards and what information they are provided with.
Free Gift Inventories can be provided as extra Rewards that is not for the players that received the main Rewards.
Can Be Modulated By
Characters, Committed Goals, Continuous Goals, Identification, Player-Defined Goals, Randomness, Reward Widgets Unknown Goals
Cutscenes in Single-Player Games
Diegetic Aspects
Besides their effect on gameplay, the design of Rewards need to take into consideration if they break Thematic Consistency if this is important to the game design.
Consequences
Rewards are important in many ways for players to have Emotional Engrossment in games, they can for example provide Anticipation, Surprises, and Tension depending on when they are given and how certain players can be that they will receive them. The presence of them can increase Competition and create Collecting activities, especially if the Rewards exist as many small separate parts. When players need to wait for them to be accessible they can cause Encouraged Return Visits and when they are only available for short time periods they qualify as Ephemeral Events (combined with Time Limits they can be Optional Goals).
Receiving them can indicate that players have succeeded with Gain Competence goals or Player-Planned Development, but can also provide them with Game-Based Social Statuses.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Anticipation, Collecting, Competition, Emotional Engrossment, Encouraged Return Visits, Ephemeral Events, Game-Based Social Statuses, Gain Competence, Player-Planned Development, Surprises, Tension
with Geospatial Game Widgets
with Time Limits
Can Modulate
Actions Have Diegetically Social Consequences, Alternative Reality, Area Control, Attention Swapping, Bidding, Challenging Gameplay, Character Development, Fudged Results, Game Items, Gameplay Mastery, Grinding, Invites, Penalties, Player Defined Goals, Player Killing, Red Queen Dilemmas, Resource Caps, Resources, Reward Widgets, Risk/Reward, Scores, Secret Areas, Trading
Can Be Instantiated By
Access Rewards, Achievements, Arithmetic Progression, Betting, Character Development, Companions, Delayed Reciprocity, Discontinuous Progression, Extra Chances, Experience Points, Factions, Facilitating Rewards, Free Gift Inventories, Handicap Achievements, Game Items, Geometric Progression, Goal Achievements, Grind Achievements, Improved Abilities, Individual Rewards, Investments, Loot, Minigames, Money, New Abilities, Ownership, Player Killing, Quick Returns, Quick Travel, Repeat Combos, Shared Rewards, Social Rewards, Sustenance Rewards, Testing Achievements, Unlocking
Game Time Manipulation in Single-Player Games
Can Be Modulated By
Characters, Committed Goals, Continuous Goals, Diminishing Returns, Extra-Game Broadcasting, Extra-Game Consequences, Free Gift Inventories, Identification, Increasing Rewards, Mutual Goals, Outcome Indicators, Penalties, Player-Decided Distributions, Player-Defined Goals, Randomness, Reward Widgets Unknown Goals
Cutscenes in Single-Player Games
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
Illusionary Rewards, Thematic Consistency
History
An updated version of the pattern Rewards 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
-
