Difference between revisions of "Extended Actions"
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=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| − | The | + | The existence of [[Extended Actions]] are easily notice in turn-based games since the game system lets players view the state every turn. One example can be found in the [[Europa Universalis series]], where requires players to commit their armies for up to years when each turn is a day to win siege. |
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| + | [[Extended Actions]] are however also quite common in real-time games. Buildings in the [[Age of Empires series]] let players build units, but the production of these take time, and while they are being produced no new production can start. The activating of machinery, the helping of other survivors hanging from ledges, and the healing of oneself or others are all examples of [[Extended Actions]] in the [[Left 4 Dead series]]. Taking photographs to complete certain mission goals in [[America's Army]] requires that the player performs an action continuously for a certain period of time, is not able to check the surroundings freely, and risk being killed. | ||
All [[:Category:Live Action Roleplaying Games|Live Action Roleplaying Games]] include [[Extended Actions]] since they include everyday actions such as walking, talking, and eating that take seconds or minutes to perform. | All [[:Category:Live Action Roleplaying Games|Live Action Roleplaying Games]] include [[Extended Actions]] since they include everyday actions such as walking, talking, and eating that take seconds or minutes to perform. | ||
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[[Extended Actions]] can quite easily be created from any action by requiring that its effects do not take place instantaneously but rather require players to continue performing them for some while. [[Time Limits]] can be used to set a fixed amount of time needed but another option is to vary the effect by how long time a player has performed the actions for through the use of [[Investments]] and here [[Geometric Rewards for Investments]] can be used to provide increased [[Value of Effort]]. | [[Extended Actions]] can quite easily be created from any action by requiring that its effects do not take place instantaneously but rather require players to continue performing them for some while. [[Time Limits]] can be used to set a fixed amount of time needed but another option is to vary the effect by how long time a player has performed the actions for through the use of [[Investments]] and here [[Geometric Rewards for Investments]] can be used to provide increased [[Value of Effort]]. | ||
| + | Once the action is started, the [[Extended Actions]] may either be possible to stop as examples of [[Interruptible Actions]], or be unstoppable by the players who initiated the actions as a form of | ||
| + | [[Irreversible Actions]] that leads to [[Ultra-Powerful Events]]. | ||
| − | + | The first case makes completing the actions into [[Continuous Goals]] as the player may be tempted to perform other actions instead, and the completions may be affected by other players' actions if the actions are [[Interruptible Actions]]. The latter case makes the [[Extended Actions]] a form of [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] and starting to use them becomes [[Irreversible Actions]]. This makes the initiation of such actions Risk/Reward choices against other possible future needs of the actions and may cause Tension. | |
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Extended Actions can be seen as a form of Investments as they tie up the possible actions available to players besides any possible uses of Resources. They may either start taking effect immediately, having increased consequences the longer they are performed, or may require an initial threshold to be reached before starting to have effect. In the latter case, the completion of them entails Hovering Closures and has Perceivable Margins, especially if they are also Collaborative Actions, since they then show the willingness of several players to perform the actions. A Progress Indicator, which may be an Illusionary Reward to provide feedback within a Game World, usually shows how close to the threshold the player is in this case. | Extended Actions can be seen as a form of Investments as they tie up the possible actions available to players besides any possible uses of Resources. They may either start taking effect immediately, having increased consequences the longer they are performed, or may require an initial threshold to be reached before starting to have effect. In the latter case, the completion of them entails Hovering Closures and has Perceivable Margins, especially if they are also Collaborative Actions, since they then show the willingness of several players to perform the actions. A Progress Indicator, which may be an Illusionary Reward to provide feedback within a Game World, usually shows how close to the threshold the player is in this case. | ||
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Producers and Controllers are typically game elements to provide Extended Actions that are not provided by players' Focus Loci. Combos and Dexterity-Based Actions such as Aim & Shoot are examples of Extended Actions provided by players' Focus Loci. Rhythm-Based Actions are a form of Dexterity-Based Action that can support Extended Actions using or not using Focus Loci. | Producers and Controllers are typically game elements to provide Extended Actions that are not provided by players' Focus Loci. Combos and Dexterity-Based Actions such as Aim & Shoot are examples of Extended Actions provided by players' Focus Loci. Rhythm-Based Actions are a form of Dexterity-Based Action that can support Extended Actions using or not using Focus Loci. | ||
| − | + | Gaining Area Control is an example of an action often using Extended Actions for the third reason. | |
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[[Real-Time Games]] | [[Real-Time Games]] | ||
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[[Freedom of Choice]] | [[Freedom of Choice]] | ||
[[Encouraged Return Visits]] | [[Encouraged Return Visits]] | ||
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=== Interface Aspects === | === Interface Aspects === | ||
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== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
[[Extended Actions]] typically give one out of three effects: requiring a certain level of commitment from players to start using the actions but then make the continued use easy; encouraging players to use the actions continuously to achieve additional effects; or requiring commitment from players for a continuous period of time. The first reason gives [[Stimulated Planning]] and may have [[Balancing Effects]] if more powerful actions require more preparation and [[Resources]]. The second reason gives players increased [[Freedom of Choice]], as it provides players with additional ways of using actions but can also limit players by making the continuation of the action very valuable, as for example when using [[Geometric Rewards for Investments]]. The third reason can, like the first reason, cause [[Stimulated Planning]] and have [[Balancing Effects]] but can also increase [[Tension]] if the actions are [[Interruptible Actions]] since they are [[Continuous Goals]]. | [[Extended Actions]] typically give one out of three effects: requiring a certain level of commitment from players to start using the actions but then make the continued use easy; encouraging players to use the actions continuously to achieve additional effects; or requiring commitment from players for a continuous period of time. The first reason gives [[Stimulated Planning]] and may have [[Balancing Effects]] if more powerful actions require more preparation and [[Resources]]. The second reason gives players increased [[Freedom of Choice]], as it provides players with additional ways of using actions but can also limit players by making the continuation of the action very valuable, as for example when using [[Geometric Rewards for Investments]]. The third reason can, like the first reason, cause [[Stimulated Planning]] and have [[Balancing Effects]] but can also increase [[Tension]] if the actions are [[Interruptible Actions]] since they are [[Continuous Goals]]. | ||
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Seen from the point of when the [[Extended Actions]] are started, they create [[Delayed Effects]]. | Seen from the point of when the [[Extended Actions]] are started, they create [[Delayed Effects]]. | ||
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[[Freedom of Choice]], | [[Freedom of Choice]], | ||
[[Game State Indicators]], | [[Game State Indicators]], | ||
| − | [[Interruptible Actions]] | + | [[Interruptible Actions]], |
| + | [[Irreversible Events]] | ||
=== Possible Closure Effects === | === Possible Closure Effects === | ||
Revision as of 20:12, 4 February 2011
Actions that take so long to complete that they require players to miss opportunities to perform other actions in order to complete them.
Not all actions in games take place immediately, and some require that players continue to perform them for a period of time before taking effect. Such actions are Extended Actions and require players to make choices between completing them and abandoning them in order to start other actions. If they cannot be interrupted, they do not even let player abandon them in favor of other actions, and the player must commit fully to them.
Examples
The existence of Extended Actions are easily notice in turn-based games since the game system lets players view the state every turn. One example can be found in the Europa Universalis series, where requires players to commit their armies for up to years when each turn is a day to win siege.
Extended Actions are however also quite common in real-time games. Buildings in the Age of Empires series let players build units, but the production of these take time, and while they are being produced no new production can start. The activating of machinery, the helping of other survivors hanging from ledges, and the healing of oneself or others are all examples of Extended Actions in the Left 4 Dead series. Taking photographs to complete certain mission goals in America's Army requires that the player performs an action continuously for a certain period of time, is not able to check the surroundings freely, and risk being killed.
All Live Action Roleplaying Games include Extended Actions since they include everyday actions such as walking, talking, and eating that take seconds or minutes to perform.
Using the pattern
Extended Actions can quite easily be created from any action by requiring that its effects do not take place instantaneously but rather require players to continue performing them for some while. Time Limits can be used to set a fixed amount of time needed but another option is to vary the effect by how long time a player has performed the actions for through the use of Investments and here Geometric Rewards for Investments can be used to provide increased Value of Effort.
Once the action is started, the Extended Actions may either be possible to stop as examples of Interruptible Actions, or be unstoppable by the players who initiated the actions as a form of Irreversible Actions that leads to Ultra-Powerful Events.
The first case makes completing the actions into Continuous Goals as the player may be tempted to perform other actions instead, and the completions may be affected by other players' actions if the actions are Interruptible Actions. The latter case makes the Extended Actions a form of Ultra-Powerful Events and starting to use them becomes Irreversible Actions. This makes the initiation of such actions Risk/Reward choices against other possible future needs of the actions and may cause Tension.
Extended Actions can be seen as a form of Investments as they tie up the possible actions available to players besides any possible uses of Resources. They may either start taking effect immediately, having increased consequences the longer they are performed, or may require an initial threshold to be reached before starting to have effect. In the latter case, the completion of them entails Hovering Closures and has Perceivable Margins, especially if they are also Collaborative Actions, since they then show the willingness of several players to perform the actions. A Progress Indicator, which may be an Illusionary Reward to provide feedback within a Game World, usually shows how close to the threshold the player is in this case.
When Extended Actions do not produce effects until they are finished, the actions leading up to the completion can be regarded as No-Ops and the initial action can be seen as having a Delayed Effect. When players only have one Focus Loci, these No-Ops can equal Downtime for the player and limit their Freedom of Choice. In contrast, when Extended Actions are used in combination with multiple Focus Loci, typically Units, gaining maximal benefit of all the possible actions through Attention Swapping can become a part of Game Mastery.
Producers and Controllers are typically game elements to provide Extended Actions that are not provided by players' Focus Loci. Combos and Dexterity-Based Actions such as Aim & Shoot are examples of Extended Actions provided by players' Focus Loci. Rhythm-Based Actions are a form of Dexterity-Based Action that can support Extended Actions using or not using Focus Loci.
Gaining Area Control is an example of an action often using Extended Actions for the third reason.
Real-Time Games Freedom of Choice Encouraged Return Visits
Interface Aspects
It is quite common to use Game State Indicators to let players know how much time they have put into an Extended Action (see for example the Left 4 Dead series).
Consequences
Extended Actions typically give one out of three effects: requiring a certain level of commitment from players to start using the actions but then make the continued use easy; encouraging players to use the actions continuously to achieve additional effects; or requiring commitment from players for a continuous period of time. The first reason gives Stimulated Planning and may have Balancing Effects if more powerful actions require more preparation and Resources. The second reason gives players increased Freedom of Choice, as it provides players with additional ways of using actions but can also limit players by making the continuation of the action very valuable, as for example when using Geometric Rewards for Investments. The third reason can, like the first reason, cause Stimulated Planning and have Balancing Effects but can also increase Tension if the actions are Interruptible Actions since they are Continuous Goals.
Seen from the point of when the Extended Actions are started, they create Delayed Effects.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Balancing Effects, Delayed Effects, Stimulated Planning
with Geometric Rewards for Investments
with Interruptible Actions
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Investments, Geometric Rewards for Investments Time Limits
Can Be Modulated By
Freedom of Choice, Game State Indicators, Interruptible Actions, Irreversible Events
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
-
History
A revised version of the pattern Extended Actions 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.
