Exceptional Events

The one-sentence "definition" that should be in italics.

This pattern is a still a stub.

events that very rarely occur and do so unpredictably, fumbles and rare effect of these, open ended die rolls, etc.

Using the pattern

The main issue with designing for Exceptional Events in a game is rather obviously to choose what uncommon or rare events, and actions that can cause those events, should be possible in the game. One common requirement is however that they are Irreversible Events, at least in the sense that the consequences cannot immediately reversed.

The use of Randomness is solution that can cause Exceptional Events in itself (e.g. through making people feel Luck) of through more specific patterns that more guarantee remarkable events through having effects that otherwise would not be possible. Critical Results is the pattern that catches most of these patterns, with Critical Failures and Critical Successes as more specific case; still more specific and related to Combat is Critical Hits and Critical Misses.

Can Be Instantiated By

Betrayal, Character Defining Actions, Open-Ended Die Rolls, Spectacular Failure Enjoyment, Surprises

Narration Aspects

Since Exceptional Events may be memorable and be the starting point for Game Instance Stories, it can be considered a Narration Pattern.

Consequences

Exceptional Events provide potential starting points for Game Instance Stories, and can in themselves or through the stories people create about them cause Emotional Engrossment. Since they are by definition uncommon and thereby unexpected, the possibility of having Exceptional Events in a game lessens the Predictable Consequences of that game.

Relations

Leaps of Faith Imperfect Information

Can Instantiate

Emotional Engrossment, Game Instance Stories

Can Modulate

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Can Be Instantiated By

Betrayal, Character Defining Actions, Critical Failures, Critical Hits, Critical Misses, Critical Successes, Critical Results, Irreversible Events, Luck, Open-Ended Die Rolls, Randomness, Spectacular Failure Enjoyment, Surprises

Can Be Modulated By

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Possible Closure Effects

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Potentially Conflicting With

Predictable Consequences

History

New pattern created in this wiki.

References

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Acknowledgements

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