Unlocking

The act of getting access to additional abilities or game-related content.

See the Gamasutra article Aesthetics of Social Games for more details.

Using the pattern

Development Trees, linked for example to Powers, Skills, or Technologies,

Can Be Instantiated By

Abstract Player Construct Development, Achievements, Character Development, Character Levels, Development Trees, Neighbors, Purchasable Game Advantages

Consequences

Value of Effort (except as Purchasable Game Advantages)

Can Instantiate

Since Unlocking is the act of gaining access to something preordained, this can easily be felt as a Reward than gives Value of Effort to the actions leading up to the Unlocking. Knowing about the possibility of Unlocking something makes it possible to Anticipation about this and can motivate both Grinding and Player-Planned Development.

Sidegrades is a specific type of game content acquired by Unlocking that instead of directly improving players abilities give them a greater Freedom of Choice.

Can Modulate

Levels, Powers, Privileged Abilities, Vehicles, Weapons

Relations

Can Instantiate

Anticipation, Grinding, Player-Planned Development, Rewards, Sidegrades, Value of Effort

Can Modulate

Levels, Powers, Privileged Abilities, Vehicles, Weapons

Can Be Instantiated By

Abstract Player Construct Development, Achievements, Character Development, Character Levels, Development Trees, Neighbors, Purchasable Game Advantages

Can Be Modulated By

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Possible Closure Effects

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Potentially Conflicting With

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History

New pattern created in this wiki. However the concept was first described in the Gamasutra article Aesthetics of Social Games by Aki Järvinen.

Acknowledgements

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