Difference between revisions of "Goal Hierarchies"
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== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
| − | + | [[Goal Hierarchies]] often lead to [[Complex Gameplay]] since not only the structures suggest a more detailed relationship between goals in a game but can also make players need to think about these structures and how they wish to traverse them. [[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]] is also a common consequences of a presence of [[Goal Hierarchies]] in a game, at least as long as goals lower down in the hierarchies need to be completed before higher ones (or are the way higher ones can be completed). And, while [[Narration Structures]] can be the origins of [[Goal Hierarchies]] the opposite can be true in that [[Goal Hierarchies]] suggest or can work as the starting point for [[Narration Structures]]. One place where these consequences can merge is in games with [[Factions]]; here [[Goal Hierarchies]] involving the [[Factions]] is extra likely to create [[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]] that quite unavoidably also affects any narration. | |
| − | [[Complex Gameplay]] | + | |
| − | [[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]], | + | |
| − | [[Narration Structures]] | + | |
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| − | [[Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses]] | + | |
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== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
Revision as of 06:24, 4 October 2016
Structures of goals where the completion or non-competition of certain goals affects the possibility to complete other goals.
This pattern is a still a stub.
Contents
Examples
Example: A good example of a Hierarchy of Goals can be found in Zelda: A Link to the Past. At the start, Link is given the task of rescuing princess Zelda from the castle. After accomplishing this, Link is presented with a more elaborate quest of overcoming the evil wizard Agahnim. The subgoals of this task, such as freeing the seven maidens, are gradually revealed to the player during the gameplay and, near the end of the game, it is revealed that it is not Agahnim, but Ganon from the Dark World, that Link has to overcome.
Example: Chess can be seen as a loosely defined implicit Hierarchy of Goals. No pieces need to be captured from the opponent, nor any strategic locations occupied, to be able to checkmate the opponent's king. However, it does make the goal of checkmating easier, and nearly all players focus on achieving these subgoals before attempting to achieve the main goal.
Example: The rough goal hierarchy in Pac-Man is as follows: eat the pills while avoiding the ghosts, get the power pill while avoiding the ghosts, chase the ghosts or eat the pills while under the influence of the power-pill, finish levels by taking all pills on each level, and finally get into the high score list.
Using the pattern
Can Modulate
Companion Quests, Enemies, Traverse
Can Be Instantiated By
Achievements, Capture, Collecting, Continuous Goals, Factions Grind Achievements, Levels, Minigames, Narration Structures, Optional Goals, Predefined Goals, Quests, Speedruns, Stimulated Planning, Supporting Goals, Tournaments
Herd together with One-Way Travel
Can Be Modulated By
Clues, Dynamic Goal Characteristics, Excluding Goals, Save Points, Selectable Set of Goals, Strategic Knowledge, Unknown Goals
Potentially Conflicting With
Diegetic Aspects
Interface Aspects
Narration Aspects
Consequences
Goal Hierarchies often lead to Complex Gameplay since not only the structures suggest a more detailed relationship between goals in a game but can also make players need to think about these structures and how they wish to traverse them. Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses is also a common consequences of a presence of Goal Hierarchies in a game, at least as long as goals lower down in the hierarchies need to be completed before higher ones (or are the way higher ones can be completed). And, while Narration Structures can be the origins of Goal Hierarchies the opposite can be true in that Goal Hierarchies suggest or can work as the starting point for Narration Structures. One place where these consequences can merge is in games with Factions; here Goal Hierarchies involving the Factions is extra likely to create Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses that quite unavoidably also affects any narration.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Complex Gameplay, Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses, Narration Structures
with Factions
Higher-Level Closures as Gameplay Progresses
Can Modulate
Companion Quests, Enemies, Traverse
Can Be Instantiated By
Achievements, Capture, Collecting, Continuous Goals, Factions Grind Achievements, Levels, Minigames, Narration Structures, Optional Goals, Predefined Goals, Quests, Speedruns, Stimulated Planning, Supporting Goals, Tournaments
Herd together with One-Way Travel
Can Be Modulated By
Clues, Dynamic Goal Characteristics, Excluding Goals, Save Points, Selectable Set of Goals, Strategic Knowledge, Unknown Goals
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
History
An updated version of the pattern Hierarchies of Goals 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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