Events Timed to the Real World

Gameplay events are initiated by specific real time events occurring.

Games that update in direct relation to the passage of time can use this to start and stop specific events so there is a clear relation to identifiable events in the real world. By having the game Events Timed to the Real World in this way, players can have reminders of when extra-ordinary events happen in the game and thereby be encouraged to play then.

Examples

World of Warcraft has quests and items that are only available at times matching well-known real world events, e.g. New Year's Eve, Oktoberfest, and the Day of the Dead. This encourages players play during those times and it is easy for them to keep track of when this is. While these are re-occurring events, it can also be done for specific cases - Mafia Wars had a special challenge mission during the world championship in Soccer 2010.

Live Action Roleplaying Games that take place at least outdoors over several days (e.g. 1942 – Noen å stole på, Dragonbane, and Prosopopeia) must of course consider the change between day and night during the game. In addition, the organizers must consider when to set up the events so the season fits the thematic and practical requirements (it is not too surprising that Live Action Roleplaying Games taking place outdoors typically do not do so during the winter).

Using the pattern

Enablers: Tick-Based Games; Con: Evolving Gameplay Design, Encouraged Return Visits)

Evolving Rule Sets Ephemeral Events

Real-Time Games Tick-Based Games

Extra-Game Input

Consequences

Having Events Timed to the Real World is an easy way to have Ephemeral Events since they easily can start and stop as the real world event does. They can easily also provide Encouraged Return Visits since as long as the events are well-known and when they occur decided well in advance, as is the case for example for holidays and major sports events, players can have easy-to-remember times when they should be play and they can be reminded of this by various sources not related to the game.

Relations

Can Instantiate

Encouraged Return Visits, Ephemeral Events

History

New pattern created in this wiki.

References

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Acknowledgements

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