Unpredictable Behavior

The ability of agents to make actions that are unexpected.

This pattern is still a stub.

Examples

ELIZA

Using the pattern

Unpredictable Behavior is a pattern for modifying how Agents behave. The easiest way to create the possibility for this is simply to let players control the agents but Game Masters can be more appropriate for Non-Player Characters.

Algorithmic Agents can be modified to exhibit this behavior also, in this case typically through Randomness but sufficiently complex rule-based behaviors can also produce this result as can vagueness which ELIZA shows.

Consequences

The use of Unpredictable Behavior can give the illusion of Agents having Own Agendas which indirectly can support Thematic Consistency in Game Worlds. Rather obvious, Unpredictable Behavior can work against a game having Predictable Consequences.

Relations

Game Masters Surprises Predictable Consequences

Can Instantiate

Own Agenda, Thematic Consistency

Can Modulate

Agents, Algorithmic Agents, Non-Player Characters

Can Be Instantiated By

Game Masters, Players, Randomness

Can Be Modulated By

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Possible Closure Effects

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Potentially Conflicting With

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History

A rewrite of a pattern that was part of the original collection in the paper Gameplay Design Patterns for Believable Non-Player Characters.

Acknowledgments

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