Difference between revisions of "Enactment"

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[[Category:Interface Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Interface Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Patterns]]
[[Category:Needs work]]
 
 
[[Category:Needs revision]]
 
[[Category:Needs revision]]
[[Category:Needs examples]]
 
 
[[Category:Needs references]]
 
[[Category:Needs references]]
[[Category:Stub]]
 
 
[[Category:To be Published]]
 
[[Category:To be Published]]
[[Category:Staffan's current workpage]]
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''The performance of actions or utterances of one's character.''
''The performance of actions or uttrances of ones character.''
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Players in games are often given characters to control and can through these perform actions in the game. [[Enactment]] occurs when players are actually performing the actions that their characters are doing.
 
Players in games are often given characters to control and can through these perform actions in the game. [[Enactment]] occurs when players are actually performing the actions that their characters are doing.
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=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
 
[[Enactment]] is one of the sought after player activities in [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] such as [[Dungeons & Dragons]], [[Fiasco]], and [[Paranoia]]. It occurs less frequently in [[:Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games|Massively Multiplayer Online Games]] but some servers for games such as [[World of Warcraft]] are dedicated to roleplaying and [[:Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games|MUDs]] such as [[DragonMud]] focus upon it.  
 
[[Enactment]] is one of the sought after player activities in [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] such as [[Dungeons & Dragons]], [[Fiasco]], and [[Paranoia]]. It occurs less frequently in [[:Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games|Massively Multiplayer Online Games]] but some servers for games such as [[World of Warcraft]] are dedicated to roleplaying and [[:Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games|MUDs]] such as [[DragonMud]] focus upon it.  
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The [[Guitar Hero series|Guitar Hero]] and [[Rock Band series]] let players enact playing musical instruments.
  
 
==== Anti-Examples ====
 
==== Anti-Examples ====
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== Using the pattern ==
 
== Using the pattern ==
[[Enactment]] requires the presence of [[Characters]], either those controlled by players or by [[Game Masters]], and players may be inspired to perform [[Enactment]] simply because these [[Characters]] exist or because they are engaging in [[Roleplaying]]. However, [[Enactment]] is not something required in most games, with the exception of [[Category:Live Action Roleplaying Games|Live Action Roleplaying Games]]. It is something typically strived for by players and game masters in [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]].
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Unless using [[Mimetic Interfaces]], [[Enactment]] requires the presence of [[Characters]] - either those controlled by players or by [[Game Masters]] - and players may be inspired to perform [[Enactment]] simply because these [[Characters]] exist or because they are engaging in [[Roleplaying]]. However, [[Enactment]] is not something required in most games with [[Characters]], with the exception of [[:Category:Live Action Roleplaying Games|Live Action Roleplaying Games]]. It is something typically strived for by players and game masters in [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]]. [[Warming-Up Roleplay Exercises]] are various activities developed for [[:Category:Live Action Roleplaying Games|Live Action Roleplaying Games]] that help players prepare and train for [[Enactment]].
  
[[Enactment]] can be done by small means. In [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]], players can say what their [[Characters]] say and look, point, etc. at the other players to indicate that their [[Characters]] are doing these actions. [[Physical Enactment]] is the [[Enactment]] of actions that require larger movement or more demanding skills, and when combined with [[Roleplaying]] this gives rise to [[Live Action Roleplaying]]. This type of [[Enactment]] can be augmented in various ways since these games many times want to be able to convey information between players while they are enacting actions. Examples include using [[Meta-Postures]], [[Prompting Techniques]], and [[Substitute Actions]] (the latter which weakens the [[Enactment]] but makes it possible).
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[[Enactment]] can be done by small means. In [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]], players can say what their [[Characters]] say and look, point, etc. at the other players to indicate that their [[Characters]] are doing these actions. [[Physical Enactment]] is the [[Enactment]] of actions that require larger movement or more demanding skills (one common difference is that non-physical [[Enactment]] does not require [[Dexterity-Based Actions]]), and when combined with [[Roleplaying]] this gives rise to [[Live Action Roleplaying]].  
  
A weak form of [[Enactment]] is when players describe what their [[Characters]] do. This is often interwoven with the previous form of [[Enactment] in [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] but in games with [[Illocutionary Interfaces]] or [[Mediated Gameplay]] this may be the only way actions are presented, i.e. [[Chat Channels]] or [[Communication Channels]] are the media through which these actions are presented. [[Emotes]] can be an important tool in these situations and blurs the lines of what is [[Enactment]] since some of these activate animated sequences for [[Avatars]].  
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A weak form of [[Enactment]] is when players describe what their [[Characters]] do. This is often interwoven with the previous form of [[Enactment]] in [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] but in games with [[Illocutionary Interfaces]] or [[Mediated Gameplay]] this may be the only way actions are presented, i.e. [[Chat Channels]] or [[Communication Channels]] are the media through which these actions are presented. [[Emotes]] can be an important tool in these situations and blurs the lines of what is [[Enactment]] since some of these activate animated sequences for [[Avatars]].  
  
[[Contextualization]] is an option for games with [[Enactment]] so that [[Scenes]] can be inserted where players can enact backstories or glimpses of futures.
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[[Contextualization]] is an option for games with [[Enactment]] so that [[Scenes]] can be inserted where players can enact backstories or glimpses of futures. [[Prompting Techniques]] can be used in [[Enactment]] to help players negotiate or signal changes in [[Scenes]] but is primarily used in games with [[Physical Enactment]].
  
 
=== Diegetic Aspects ===
 
=== Diegetic Aspects ===
There is a risk of breaking [[Diegetic Consistency]] whenever players have the chance of including non-diegetic concepts into [[Enactment]].
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[[Diegetic Consistency]] can be created from having players enact their [[Characters]] actions. However, there is a risk of breaking [[Diegetic Consistency]] whenever players have the chance of including non-diegetic concepts into [[Enactment]].
  
 
=== Interface Aspects ===
 
=== Interface Aspects ===
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=== Narrative Aspects ===
 
=== Narrative Aspects ===
The combination of [[Enactment]] and [[Roleplaying]] typically gives rise to [[Storytelling]].
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The combination of [[Enactment]] and [[Roleplaying]] typically gives rise to [[Storytelling]]. As gameplay based on [[Enactment]] provides performances by players, the use of it motivates the presence of ways to make recordings of these, i.e. [[Replays]], to view or present later; this is however most likely the case if the [[Enactment]] is actually [[Physical Enactment]].  
  
 
== Consequences ==
 
== Consequences ==
 +
[[Enactment]] allows actions to be slightly different from each other, and since this can depend on the surroundings in which the actions are performed, the pattern allows for [[Performance Uncertainty]] and [[Context Dependent Reactions]]. Successfully performing the required actions can provide players with a sense of [[Role Fulfillment]]. While not all [[Enactment]] requires [[Social Skills]], those that include interacting with other people typically do.
  
By having performed the actions themselves, players may identify more with their [[Characters]] and through this gain an [[Emotional Attachment]] to them.  
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All effects of [[Enactment]] which does not affect the game state is [[Extra-Game Consequences]] that in many cases also can provide [[Social Rewards]] as others can appreciate the performances. However, [[Enactment]] can give rise to [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] when the [[Enactment]] of players can affect other players' behavior or the opinion of [[Game Masters]]. That said, players may identify more with their [[Characters]] by having performed their actions themselves, and through this gain an [[Emotional Attachment]] to them.  
  
[[Enactment]] can give rise to [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] when the [[Enactment]] of players can affect other players behavior or the opinion of [[Game Masters]].  
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[[Enactment]] is often a form of [[Social Interaction]], especially when two or more players are engaged in it at the same time. This can lead to players [[Competing for Attention]], especially in games with [[Game Masters]]. Further, [[Enactment]] is a skill and becoming good at it is a form of [[Gameplay Mastery]]. The two points, and the fact that [[Enactment]] draws attention argues why [[Enactment]] support the "exhibitionist" [[Social Roles|Social Role]].
  
 
As has been mentioned above, [[Enactment]] risks breaking [[Diegetic Consistency]] and is likely to produce [[Storytelling]] when used together with [[Roleplaying]].
 
As has been mentioned above, [[Enactment]] risks breaking [[Diegetic Consistency]] and is likely to produce [[Storytelling]] when used together with [[Roleplaying]].
 
=== Can Instantiate ===
 
[[Extra-Game Consequences]],
 
[[Social Roles]]
 
  
 
== Relations ==
 
== Relations ==
[[Focus Loci]]?
 
[[Mimetic Interfaces]]
 
[[Game Mastery]]
 
[[Social Interaction]]
 
 
 
=== Can Instantiate ===
 
=== Can Instantiate ===
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[[Competing for Attention]],
 +
[[Context Dependent Reactions]],
 +
[[Diegetic Consistency]],
 
[[Emotional Attachment]],  
 
[[Emotional Attachment]],  
 
[[Extra-Game Consequences]],  
 
[[Extra-Game Consequences]],  
 +
[[Gameplay Mastery]],
 +
[[Performance Uncertainty]],
 
[[Player/Character Skill Composites]],  
 
[[Player/Character Skill Composites]],  
[[Social Roles]]  
+
[[Role Fulfillment]],
 +
[[Social Interaction]],
 +
[[Social Rewards]], 
 +
[[Social Roles]], 
 +
[[Social Skills]]  
  
 
==== with [[Roleplaying]] ====
 
==== with [[Roleplaying]] ====
[[Live Action Roleplaying]],
 
 
[[Storytelling]]
 
[[Storytelling]]
  
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[[Game Masters]],  
 
[[Game Masters]],  
 
[[Illocutionary Interfaces]],  
 
[[Illocutionary Interfaces]],  
 +
[[Mimetic Interfaces]],
 
[[Physical Enactment]],  
 
[[Physical Enactment]],  
 
[[Roleplaying]]  
 
[[Roleplaying]]  
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[[Contextualization]],  
 
[[Contextualization]],  
 
[[Mediated Gameplay]],  
 
[[Mediated Gameplay]],  
[[Meta-Postures]],
 
 
[[Prompting Techniques]],  
 
[[Prompting Techniques]],  
[[Substitute Actions]]  
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[[Replays]],
 +
[[Warming-Up Roleplay Exercises]]
  
 
=== Possible Closure Effects ===
 
=== Possible Closure Effects ===

Latest revision as of 08:09, 8 August 2015

The performance of actions or utterances of one's character.

Players in games are often given characters to control and can through these perform actions in the game. Enactment occurs when players are actually performing the actions that their characters are doing.

Examples

Enactment is one of the sought after player activities in Tabletop Roleplaying Games such as Dungeons & Dragons, Fiasco, and Paranoia. It occurs less frequently in Massively Multiplayer Online Games but some servers for games such as World of Warcraft are dedicated to roleplaying and MUDs such as DragonMud focus upon it.

The Guitar Hero and Rock Band series let players enact playing musical instruments.

Anti-Examples

While a player that pressed the jump button in a Super Mario game can make Mario jump, that player is activating and not performing a jump.

Using the pattern

Unless using Mimetic Interfaces, Enactment requires the presence of Characters - either those controlled by players or by Game Masters - and players may be inspired to perform Enactment simply because these Characters exist or because they are engaging in Roleplaying. However, Enactment is not something required in most games with Characters, with the exception of Live Action Roleplaying Games. It is something typically strived for by players and game masters in Tabletop Roleplaying Games. Warming-Up Roleplay Exercises are various activities developed for Live Action Roleplaying Games that help players prepare and train for Enactment.

Enactment can be done by small means. In Tabletop Roleplaying Games, players can say what their Characters say and look, point, etc. at the other players to indicate that their Characters are doing these actions. Physical Enactment is the Enactment of actions that require larger movement or more demanding skills (one common difference is that non-physical Enactment does not require Dexterity-Based Actions), and when combined with Roleplaying this gives rise to Live Action Roleplaying.

A weak form of Enactment is when players describe what their Characters do. This is often interwoven with the previous form of Enactment in Tabletop Roleplaying Games but in games with Illocutionary Interfaces or Mediated Gameplay this may be the only way actions are presented, i.e. Chat Channels or Communication Channels are the media through which these actions are presented. Emotes can be an important tool in these situations and blurs the lines of what is Enactment since some of these activate animated sequences for Avatars.

Contextualization is an option for games with Enactment so that Scenes can be inserted where players can enact backstories or glimpses of futures. Prompting Techniques can be used in Enactment to help players negotiate or signal changes in Scenes but is primarily used in games with Physical Enactment.

Diegetic Aspects

Diegetic Consistency can be created from having players enact their Characters actions. However, there is a risk of breaking Diegetic Consistency whenever players have the chance of including non-diegetic concepts into Enactment.

Interface Aspects

Enactment is an Interface Pattern.

Narrative Aspects

The combination of Enactment and Roleplaying typically gives rise to Storytelling. As gameplay based on Enactment provides performances by players, the use of it motivates the presence of ways to make recordings of these, i.e. Replays, to view or present later; this is however most likely the case if the Enactment is actually Physical Enactment.

Consequences

Enactment allows actions to be slightly different from each other, and since this can depend on the surroundings in which the actions are performed, the pattern allows for Performance Uncertainty and Context Dependent Reactions. Successfully performing the required actions can provide players with a sense of Role Fulfillment. While not all Enactment requires Social Skills, those that include interacting with other people typically do.

All effects of Enactment which does not affect the game state is Extra-Game Consequences that in many cases also can provide Social Rewards as others can appreciate the performances. However, Enactment can give rise to Player/Character Skill Composites when the Enactment of players can affect other players' behavior or the opinion of Game Masters. That said, players may identify more with their Characters by having performed their actions themselves, and through this gain an Emotional Attachment to them.

Enactment is often a form of Social Interaction, especially when two or more players are engaged in it at the same time. This can lead to players Competing for Attention, especially in games with Game Masters. Further, Enactment is a skill and becoming good at it is a form of Gameplay Mastery. The two points, and the fact that Enactment draws attention argues why Enactment support the "exhibitionist" Social Role.

As has been mentioned above, Enactment risks breaking Diegetic Consistency and is likely to produce Storytelling when used together with Roleplaying.

Relations

Can Instantiate

Competing for Attention, Context Dependent Reactions, Diegetic Consistency, Emotional Attachment, Extra-Game Consequences, Gameplay Mastery, Performance Uncertainty, Player/Character Skill Composites, Role Fulfillment, Social Interaction, Social Rewards, Social Roles, Social Skills

with Roleplaying

Storytelling

Can Modulate

-

Can Be Instantiated By

Chat Channels, Characters, Communication Channels, Emotes, Game Masters, Illocutionary Interfaces, Mimetic Interfaces, Physical Enactment, Roleplaying

Can Be Modulated By

Contextualization, Mediated Gameplay, Prompting Techniques, Replays, Warming-Up Roleplay Exercises

Possible Closure Effects

-

Potentially Conflicting With

Diegetic Consistency

History

New pattern created in this wiki.

References

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Acknowledgements

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