Difference between revisions of "Traps"
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[[Traps]] can be divided into three categories: those that are visible and whose effects are clear, those that can be found by noticing differences from the surrounding environment of the trap, and those that cannot be noticed before they are activated. The first type, exemplified by game elements such as crushers, flame dischargers, and so on that follow a certain pattern in activation, allows players to bypass or deactivate them as long as they successful with [[Timing]] or [[Rhythm-Based Actions]]. The second type, which can be exemplified by (badly) camouflaged pits, require players to be observant of [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] in [[Game Worlds]]. The last type, exemplified by traps activated by counter-weights when picking up [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]], creates [[Surprises]] but also promotes [[Memorizing]] to remember the location of the trap. Triggering the [[Traps]] typically lead to [[Ability Losses]], [[Decreased Abilities]], or [[Damage]]. The [[Damage]] may lead to instant deaths, i.e. losses of [[Lives]] or [[Units]], or reductions of [[Health]] which only kills those already wounded. While instantly killing players with [[Traps]] not possible to notice before they are sprung may seem harsh, this has been under in games that require players to [[Memorizing|Memorize]] how to solve problems, e.g. [[Another World]]. | [[Traps]] can be divided into three categories: those that are visible and whose effects are clear, those that can be found by noticing differences from the surrounding environment of the trap, and those that cannot be noticed before they are activated. The first type, exemplified by game elements such as crushers, flame dischargers, and so on that follow a certain pattern in activation, allows players to bypass or deactivate them as long as they successful with [[Timing]] or [[Rhythm-Based Actions]]. The second type, which can be exemplified by (badly) camouflaged pits, require players to be observant of [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] in [[Game Worlds]]. The last type, exemplified by traps activated by counter-weights when picking up [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]], creates [[Surprises]] but also promotes [[Memorizing]] to remember the location of the trap. Triggering the [[Traps]] typically lead to [[Ability Losses]], [[Decreased Abilities]], or [[Damage]]. The [[Damage]] may lead to instant deaths, i.e. losses of [[Lives]] or [[Units]], or reductions of [[Health]] which only kills those already wounded. While instantly killing players with [[Traps]] not possible to notice before they are sprung may seem harsh, this has been under in games that require players to [[Memorizing|Memorize]] how to solve problems, e.g. [[Another World]]. | ||
| − | Either [[Game Items]] or [[Environmental Effects]] can be used to all of the categories, but [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]] are noteworthy in that they can allow players to construct [[Traps]] during gameplay using a game's rules for physics. | + | Either [[Game Items]] or [[Environmental Effects]] can be used to all of the categories, but [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]] are noteworthy in that they can allow players to construct [[Traps]] during gameplay using a game's rules for physics. [[Destructible Objects]] are also interesting since they can be [[Traps]] because they are destructible, e.g. [[Game Items]] hiding pits, but also be other types of [[Game Items]] that happen to be [[Destructible Objects]] and in the latter case this can be used to spring the traps on others. |
| − | + | ||
Deadly Traps can be used to limit the players' accessible area, either by acting as a barrier to an area or by setting the entire Inaccessible Area as a Deadly Trap, for example, a lake of acid. When accessible routes are hidden among Deadly Traps and players cannot distinguish between the two, they force players into making Leap of Faith actions. Shrinking Game Worlds can take the form of Deadly Traps, which seal off game areas, e. g., collapsing bridges or cave-ins. Less commonly, Deadly Traps can be used to open up game areas, e. g., a fallen rock exposes a tunnel. This can be used to enforce the Narrative Structure of the game and to create or open up Inaccessible Areas. | Deadly Traps can be used to limit the players' accessible area, either by acting as a barrier to an area or by setting the entire Inaccessible Area as a Deadly Trap, for example, a lake of acid. When accessible routes are hidden among Deadly Traps and players cannot distinguish between the two, they force players into making Leap of Faith actions. Shrinking Game Worlds can take the form of Deadly Traps, which seal off game areas, e. g., collapsing bridges or cave-ins. Less commonly, Deadly Traps can be used to open up game areas, e. g., a fallen rock exposes a tunnel. This can be used to enforce the Narrative Structure of the game and to create or open up Inaccessible Areas. | ||
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Depending on whether the trap is known to the player, [[Traps]] can cause [[Tension]] or [[Surprises]], and those that are triggered but have [[Delayed Effects]] can cause [[Anticipation]]. [[Traps]] that mask themselves as useful [[Game Items]] or beneficial [[Environmental Effects]] are [[Red Herrings]]. Triggered [[Traps]] are examples of [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] when the activation of the effect is not an [[Interruptible Actions|Interruptible Action]] nor is it possible to [[Evade]] their effects. | Depending on whether the trap is known to the player, [[Traps]] can cause [[Tension]] or [[Surprises]], and those that are triggered but have [[Delayed Effects]] can cause [[Anticipation]]. [[Traps]] that mask themselves as useful [[Game Items]] or beneficial [[Environmental Effects]] are [[Red Herrings]]. Triggered [[Traps]] are examples of [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] when the activation of the effect is not an [[Interruptible Actions|Interruptible Action]] nor is it possible to [[Evade]] their effects. | ||
| − | When [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]] can be used to construct [[Traps]], this provides [[Creative Control]] for players. | + | When [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]] can be used to construct [[Traps]], this provides [[Creative Control]] for players. [[Traps]] that are [[Destructible Objects]] may not provide as much [[Creative Control]] but can offer gameplay options to those engaging in [[Tactical Planning]]. |
[[Safe Havens]] cannot be combined with [[Traps]], since the presence of the [[Traps]] would make the locations unsafe. | [[Safe Havens]] cannot be combined with [[Traps]], since the presence of the [[Traps]] would make the locations unsafe. | ||
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[[Decreased Abilities]], | [[Decreased Abilities]], | ||
[[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]], | [[Diegetically Tangible Game Items]], | ||
| + | [[Destructible Objects]], | ||
[[Environmental Effects]], | [[Environmental Effects]], | ||
[[Game Items]] | [[Game Items]] | ||
Revision as of 21:32, 2 May 2011
Game Elements or game events that kill or damage avatars and units.
Traps are hidden dangers in game environments that can damage people and items, potentially killing or destroying them. Some are diegetically explained as being constructed with the intention of being traps while others are simply dangerous environments. Examples of Traps include pits, falling blocks, lava, fire, acid, steam, machinery, crushing presses, fast-moving vehicles, and collapsing bridges, but many more are possible.
Contents
Examples
Example: Platform games such as Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker are filled with a wide variety of deadly traps.
Example: The tracks in Super Monkey Ball are hovering high above the ground, effectively surrounding the tracks with a Deadly Trap.
Left 4 Dead series Torchlight Ghost Stories
Using the pattern
Traps can be divided into three categories: those that are visible and whose effects are clear, those that can be found by noticing differences from the surrounding environment of the trap, and those that cannot be noticed before they are activated. The first type, exemplified by game elements such as crushers, flame dischargers, and so on that follow a certain pattern in activation, allows players to bypass or deactivate them as long as they successful with Timing or Rhythm-Based Actions. The second type, which can be exemplified by (badly) camouflaged pits, require players to be observant of Diegetically Outstanding Features in Game Worlds. The last type, exemplified by traps activated by counter-weights when picking up Diegetically Tangible Game Items, creates Surprises but also promotes Memorizing to remember the location of the trap. Triggering the Traps typically lead to Ability Losses, Decreased Abilities, or Damage. The Damage may lead to instant deaths, i.e. losses of Lives or Units, or reductions of Health which only kills those already wounded. While instantly killing players with Traps not possible to notice before they are sprung may seem harsh, this has been under in games that require players to Memorize how to solve problems, e.g. Another World.
Either Game Items or Environmental Effects can be used to all of the categories, but Diegetically Tangible Game Items are noteworthy in that they can allow players to construct Traps during gameplay using a game's rules for physics. Destructible Objects are also interesting since they can be Traps because they are destructible, e.g. Game Items hiding pits, but also be other types of Game Items that happen to be Destructible Objects and in the latter case this can be used to spring the traps on others.
Deadly Traps can be used to limit the players' accessible area, either by acting as a barrier to an area or by setting the entire Inaccessible Area as a Deadly Trap, for example, a lake of acid. When accessible routes are hidden among Deadly Traps and players cannot distinguish between the two, they force players into making Leap of Faith actions. Shrinking Game Worlds can take the form of Deadly Traps, which seal off game areas, e. g., collapsing bridges or cave-ins. Less commonly, Deadly Traps can be used to open up game areas, e. g., a fallen rock exposes a tunnel. This can be used to enforce the Narrative Structure of the game and to create or open up Inaccessible Areas.
Deadly Traps can be used to help Guard goals and can make it possible to achieve Eliminate goals without directly attacking opponents.
Can Modulate
Can Be Modulated By
Delayed Effects, Destructible Objects, Line of Sight, Time Limits,
Diegetic Aspects
While some Traps require Rhythm-Based Actions to avoid, games built around Rhythm-Based Actions sometimes instead explain failures of performing these actions as the triggering of Traps.
Consequences
Traps add game elements to Game Worlds that threaten players with Penalties of Ability Losses, Decreased Abilities, or Damage that can lead to the loss of Health, Lives and Units. Common objects of Evade goals, Traps give players restricted Movement Limitations within their immediate surrounding and can force players into Maneuvering. Traps that can be activated again and again introduce game elements that are Consumers into Game Worlds and promotes Memorizing of their locations.
Depending on whether the trap is known to the player, Traps can cause Tension or Surprises, and those that are triggered but have Delayed Effects can cause Anticipation. Traps that mask themselves as useful Game Items or beneficial Environmental Effects are Red Herrings. Triggered Traps are examples of Ultra-Powerful Events when the activation of the effect is not an Interruptible Action nor is it possible to Evade their effects.
When Diegetically Tangible Game Items can be used to construct Traps, this provides Creative Control for players. Traps that are Destructible Objects may not provide as much Creative Control but can offer gameplay options to those engaging in Tactical Planning.
Safe Havens cannot be combined with Traps, since the presence of the Traps would make the locations unsafe.
Can Instantiate
Consumers, Freedom of Choice, Maneuvering, Memorizing, Movement Limitations, Red Herrings, Stimulated Planning, Surprises, Tension, Time Limits, Ultra-Powerful Events
with Destructible Objects
Relations
Can Instantiate
Diegetically Tangible Game Items, Freedom of Choice, Penalties, Stimulated Planning, Time Limits
with Delayed Effects
with Destructible Objects
with Diegetically Tangible Game Items
Can Modulate
Enemies, Game Worlds, Health, Lives, Power-Ups, Rhythm-Based Actions, Units
Can Be Instantiated By
Ability Losses, Damage, Decreased Abilities, Diegetically Tangible Game Items, Destructible Objects, Environmental Effects, Game Items
Can Be Modulated By
Delayed Effects, Destructible Objects, Diegetically Outstanding Features, Line of Sight, Rhythm-Based Actions, Time Limits, Timing
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
History
An updated version of the pattern Deadly Traps 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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