Development Time
Fixed amounts of game time needed for an event to have its main effect.
Some actions performed in games do not have immediate effects. Instead, they start processes that after some given time, its Development Time, has it effect.
Contents
Examples
The construction of buildings or units in the Civilization series always takes at least one turn but most often more depending on what is built and how developed the city where the construction takes place.
The plants grown in FarmVille take variable amount of time to mature depending on which type it is.
Calling air strikes in the Battlefield series can be done quickly but it then takes some time for the actual attack to occur.
Using the pattern
The prime choice for Development Time is what event or event caused by an action should be affected. Most actions are eligible to have Development Time but those often modulated by the pattern include Construction.
Development Time is related to both Extended Actions and Time Limits but are not the same. If the Development Time blocks players from making other actions (as for example in the Civilization series) this makes the actions into Extended Actions, but if players cannot make use of the actions anyway (e.g. by them being Installations spread out in the Game World) this becomes a non-issue. Development Time does not by itself create Time Limits but when the actions modified by the pattern are also Interruptible Actions this creates Time Limits for those that wish to stop them from being completed.
Interface Aspects
Progress Indicators are often used in conjunction with Development Time so that players can plan future actions, and feel Anticipation.
Consequences
Development Time is basically a way to create Delayed Effects with known parameters, and as such they promote Stimulated Planning since players need to consider the effect of the actions will affect a future game state rather than the current one. It may also led to Extended Actions if players cannot initiate the same action again before it is finished, and Downtime if no other actions are available either. When players are kept informed of the statuses of Development Time, for example through Progress Indicators, this leads to Anticipation.
When combine with Interruptible Actions, they require Risk/Reward considerations to start and present Time Limits to those that wish to make the actions fail.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Delayed Effects, Downtime, Extended Actions, Stimulated Planning
with Interruptible Actions
with Progress Indicators
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Possible Closure Effects
Potentially Conflicting With
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
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Acknowledgements
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