Save Files
The one-sentence "definition" that should be in italics.
This pattern is a still a stub.
Wikipedia has an entry Saved Game[1] that related to Save Files.
Contents
Examples
Most Computer Games provide support for Save Files, e.g. the Doom series, the Tomb Raider series, the Mass Effect series, and the Europa Universalis series.
Using the pattern
Supporting Save Files in games consist creating the technical infrastructure that stores the game states and allows the game to take previously created Save Files and load these game states into games. From considering players' experiences, creating Save Files mainly consist of if they are created through Extra-Game Actions, Save Points, automatic saving, or all three. Care also needs to be taken supporting the Extra-Game Actions related to destroy and loading Save Files. Resource Caps can be put on Save Files to limit either the number of simultaneous files that can be used, making them into a form of Resource.
While there is typically a need or wish to have Save Files store complete game states, these can sometimes be quite small due to gameplay being partitioned into Levels or other smaller units. A special case of this is when the only information that needs to be saved is how long players have progressed and in this case Password Save Files can be sufficient.
The presence of Unwinnable Game States can cause players to create Save Files from which they will always lose Lives, fail Quests, or lose entire game instances.
Consequences
The possibility of creating Save Files can lead to Save-Load Cycles and Save Scumming, which both lead to gameplay when intended Surprises no longer work. While creating and loading Save Files are Extra-Game Actions, the presence of Save Files can give rise to additional Extra-Game Actions in the form of Game Element Trading and Game State Editing.
When the number of Save Files are limited, i.e. when Resource Caps are applied on them, they become Resources that players need to consider for gameplay reasons.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Extra-Game Actions, Game Element Trading, Game State Editing, Save Scumming, Save-Load Cycles
with Resource Caps
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Extra-Game Actions, Password Save Files, Save Points
Can Be Modulated By
Resource Caps, Unwinnable Game States
Possible Closure Effects
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Potentially Conflicting With
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
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