Difference between revisions of "Symmetric Goals"
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Some game structures naturally provide [[Symmetric Goals]]. [[Races]] (most clearly in [[Multiplayer Games]]) create symmetry since all participants strive to be first, as for example in the [[Mario Kart series]]. Similarly, [[King of the Hill]] provides several players with having an exclusive position and hindering other players from taking that position from them. As [[Overcome]] goals provides targets with a goal to avoid being [[Overcome]], games with this pattern create [[Symmetric Goals]] as long as the opponent has some actions which can be used offensively to avoid being [[Overcome]], i.e. the avoidance goal can be fulfilled by overcoming the one with the [[Overcome]] goal. While it may be easy to simply consider all [[Symmetric Goals]] as being based upon some form of [[Conflicts|Conflict]], players sharing [[Mutual Goals]] have [[Symmetric Goals]] also since these goals are the same goals. [[Symmetric Goals]] are often also [[Interferable Goals]], and this can be how they become symmetric as the [[Overcome]] goal shows an example of. | Some game structures naturally provide [[Symmetric Goals]]. [[Races]] (most clearly in [[Multiplayer Games]]) create symmetry since all participants strive to be first, as for example in the [[Mario Kart series]]. Similarly, [[King of the Hill]] provides several players with having an exclusive position and hindering other players from taking that position from them. As [[Overcome]] goals provides targets with a goal to avoid being [[Overcome]], games with this pattern create [[Symmetric Goals]] as long as the opponent has some actions which can be used offensively to avoid being [[Overcome]], i.e. the avoidance goal can be fulfilled by overcoming the one with the [[Overcome]] goal. While it may be easy to simply consider all [[Symmetric Goals]] as being based upon some form of [[Conflicts|Conflict]], players sharing [[Mutual Goals]] have [[Symmetric Goals]] also since these goals are the same goals. [[Symmetric Goals]] are often also [[Interferable Goals]], and this can be how they become symmetric as the [[Overcome]] goal shows an example of. | ||
Revision as of 13:50, 12 March 2018
Goals that from a systemic perspective are symmetric to each other.
Goals in games are defined by what players or other agents need to accomplish for the goals to be completed. The goals that are symmetric to each other in terms of these needs, as well as the rewards completing them provides, are Symmetric Goals.
Contents
Examples
An archetypical Symmetric Goal is that of a simple race. The goal each player has is symmetric to the others since each player needs to get to the end of the race (be it a spatial race or otherwise) before other players do. Another typical example of Symmetric Goals can be found in the Japanese version of Go where each player has the goal to surround the highest number of empty spaces (other versions of Go also have Symmetric Goals). While this can be described as an abstract race since the number of spaces are limited, the Symmetric Goals in Chess of trying to checkmate each others kings show an example of Symmetric Goals which are not a race.
Using the pattern
Some game structures naturally provide Symmetric Goals. Races (most clearly in Multiplayer Games) create symmetry since all participants strive to be first, as for example in the Mario Kart series. Similarly, King of the Hill provides several players with having an exclusive position and hindering other players from taking that position from them. As Overcome goals provides targets with a goal to avoid being Overcome, games with this pattern create Symmetric Goals as long as the opponent has some actions which can be used offensively to avoid being Overcome, i.e. the avoidance goal can be fulfilled by overcoming the one with the Overcome goal. While it may be easy to simply consider all Symmetric Goals as being based upon some form of Conflict, players sharing Mutual Goals have Symmetric Goals also since these goals are the same goals. Symmetric Goals are often also Interferable Goals, and this can be how they become symmetric as the Overcome goal shows an example of.
By definition, Symmetric Goals are incompatible with Asymmetric Goals. It is typically also problematic or pointless to combine with Unknown Goals. The former since players may easily become suspicious that other players have the same type of goal from the other players' behavior (unless the intention is to have an initial gameplay based around Gain Information). The latter if players cannot detect each others' goals.
Consequences
The presences of Symmetric Goals can work against Varied Gameplay in a game. This since replaying the game as another role which has Symmetric Goals with a previous role means that the replay is less varied than if the goals were Asymmetric Goals.
Can Instantiate
Player Balance, Stimulated Planning
with Eliminate
with Gain Competence
with Gain Competence and Excluding Goals
Can Modulate
Relations
Can Instantiate
Player Balance, Stimulated Planning
with Eliminate
with Gain Competence
with Gain Competence and Excluding Goals
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
King of the Hill, Mutual Goals, Overcome
Multiplayer Games together with Races
Can Be Modulated By
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
Asymmetric Goals, Unknown Goals, Varied Gameplay
History
An updated version of the pattern Symmetric 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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