Difference between revisions of "Diegetically Outstanding Features"
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=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
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The rivers in the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]] indicate that cities that are located near them will have better production rates. | The rivers in the [[Civilization (video game) series|Civilization series]] indicate that cities that are located near them will have better production rates. | ||
| − | + | In [[The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion]] the White Gold Tower of the Imperial City of Cyrodiil is a unique feature that can be seen from many parts of the game world. On a much more mundane level, bird droppings convey to players of [[Assassin's Creed 2]] where one can fall from buildings and safely land in piles of leafs or carts filled with hay. The [[Assassin's Creed series]] however also let players use the supernatural ''eagle vision'' ability to have certain aspects of the game world be highlighted. | |
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== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
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Dedicated Game Facilitators (← links) | Dedicated Game Facilitators (← links) | ||
Units (← links) | Units (← links) | ||
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Non-Player Characters (← links) | Non-Player Characters (← links) | ||
Characters (← links) | Characters (← links) | ||
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[[Red Herrings]] | [[Red Herrings]] | ||
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| + | Some [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]] can only be seen by those with [[Privileged Abilities]]; For example, in the [[Assassin's Creed series]] players can activate an ''eagle vision'' to see ''glyphs'', memory-encoded messages, as well as more clearly see important features of the environment. | ||
Relate to affordance | Relate to affordance | ||
Revision as of 18:38, 28 March 2011
Parts of a Game World that by their shape, color, or texture convey to players specific information or interaction possibilities.
This pattern is a still a stub.
Contents
Examples
The rivers in the Civilization series indicate that cities that are located near them will have better production rates.
In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion the White Gold Tower of the Imperial City of Cyrodiil is a unique feature that can be seen from many parts of the game world. On a much more mundane level, bird droppings convey to players of Assassin's Creed 2 where one can fall from buildings and safely land in piles of leafs or carts filled with hay. The Assassin's Creed series however also let players use the supernatural eagle vision ability to have certain aspects of the game world be highlighted.
Using the pattern
Alarms (← links) Dedicated Game Facilitators (← links) Units (← links) Non-Player Characters (← links) Characters (← links) Game State Indicators (← links) Enemies (← links) Freedom of Choice (← links) Multiplayer Games (← links) Detective Structure (← links) Gossip (← links) Single-Player Games (← links) Renamed Patterns (← links) Game Masters (← links) Safe Havens (← links) MacGuffins (← links) Big Dumb Objects (← links) Environmental Effects Environmental Storytelling
Some Diegetically Outstanding Features can only be seen by those with Privileged Abilities; For example, in the Assassin's Creed series players can activate an eagle vision to see glyphs, memory-encoded messages, as well as more clearly see important features of the environment.
Relate to affordance
For players to be able to position themselves in Game Worlds, there needs to be distinguishing features, those that more strongly attract players' attention to Outstanding Features and can make players aware of where game elements exist or how to navigate the Game World.
Outstanding Features can be achieved in many forms, from the barely noticeable to that of explicit Extra-Game Information describing to the players the game effects of game elements. When not using explicit Outstanding Features, the two main design choices can be categorized into first whether the feature should lure or dissuade, and second if the feature should be understandable before any consequences of nearby game elements are noticeable, or after those game elements (e. g., Deadly Traps) have taken effect. The former may make Surprises more difficult, while the second allows for Strategic Knowledge if the same Outstanding Features are used again in the game. Traces and Clues that cannot be manipulated are other examples of Outstanding Features.
The actual design of Outstanding Features can range from simple variations in the appearance of the Game World to Obstacles that give players' Movement Limitations due to their placement. An easy way to create Outstanding Features is to introduce local Symmetry in an otherwise unsymmetrical environment. If the Outstanding Features have dynamic appearance or can change between different appearances, they can be used as Status Indicators, for example, to show the status of Alarms.
Another typical use of Diegetically Outstanding Features is to provide information where game elements, such as Chargers, Resource Locations, and Resource Generators are located within Game Worlds. Strategic Locations that do not depend on physical game elements are usually also marked by Diegetically Outstanding Features in the immediate environment, e.g. Goal Points in Races. In a similar fashion, Diegetically Outstanding Features can be used to let players know or guess the presence of Traps but might then limit the chances of Surprises working.
Diegetic Aspects
Diegetically Outstanding Features is a diegetic pattern.
Interface Aspects
The main use of Diegetically Outstanding Features is to make it easier to players to identify interesting parts of Game Worlds, and this is related to interface as it gives information to them. However, this can have the adverse effect if it is overused since they may then instead begin to suffer from information overload.
Narrative Aspects
Consequences
Diegetically Outstanding Features give players landmarks to support Game World Navigation in Game Worlds or Levels, thereby making Exploration (and possibly Traverse) goals easier to complete.
When marking Chargers, Resource Locations, Resource Generators, and Traps, Diegetically Outstanding Features work as Clues and noticing them is usually Illusionary Rewards, since they may not necessarily aid the players.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Can Modulate
Chargers, Exploration, Game World Navigation, Game Worlds, Goal Points, Levels, Resource Generators, Resource Locations, Strategic Locations, Traps, Traverse
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Possible Closure Effects
Potentially Conflicting With
History
An updated version of the pattern Outstanding Features that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[1].
References
- ↑ Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.
