Difference between revisions of "Game Masters"
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[[Dungeons & Dragons]] was the first commercially successful tabletop roleplaying game and made use of [[Game Masters]] under the name of ''Dungeon Masters''. This was soon quickly followed by many other systems | [[Dungeons & Dragons]] was the first commercially successful tabletop roleplaying game and made use of [[Game Masters]] under the name of ''Dungeon Masters''. This was soon quickly followed by many other systems | ||
such as [[Basic Roleplaying]] (including offspring such as [[Call of Cthulhu]] and [[Hârnmaster]]) and [[GURPS]]. The use of [[Game Masters]] have continued to be a standard design component in many of the releases which have followed since then, including [[Paranoia]], the various games using the [[Storytelling System]], and [[Fallen Reich]]. | such as [[Basic Roleplaying]] (including offspring such as [[Call of Cthulhu]] and [[Hârnmaster]]) and [[GURPS]]. The use of [[Game Masters]] have continued to be a standard design component in many of the releases which have followed since then, including [[Paranoia]], the various games using the [[Storytelling System]], and [[Fallen Reich]]. | ||
| − | [[Kingdoms]] | + | The creation of MUDs, computer-based multiplayer roleplaying games using text, such as [[DragonMud]] and [[Kingdoms]] automated the mundane responsibilities of [[Game Masters]] as code but maintained [[Game Masters]] under the name of ''wizards'' to create new code and revise it as well as solve social conflicts. These [[Game Masters]] were recruited from the player base and could still continue as players if they wanted. The commercial [[:Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games|massively multiplayer online games] that followed (e.g. [[Ultima Online]] and [[World of Warcraft]]) kept the [[Game Masters|Game Master]] position but reserved it for employees. |
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| − | [[ | + | The computer game [[Sleep is Death]] shows a somewhat uncommon use of [[Game Masters]] in that it has one even if it only has one player. |
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== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
Revision as of 16:35, 15 January 2011
Facilitators of game worlds, and players interactions with them.
Games containing complex game worlds so complex that not all can be presented at once still need ways of letting players interact with them. This first became an issue for tabletop roleplaying games. These had evolved out of wargames and miniature games which had often dedicated game facilitators keeping track of hidden information. This role evolved into Game Masters (also called Dungeon Masters and Storytellers) responsible for improvising effects of players' actions and creating adventures, campaigns, and whole game worlds. With the appearance of computer-based roleplaying games, programs could replace people in the role of Game Masters at the expense of being able to improvise in response to player actions. To compensate for this, solutions where people and programs share the responsibility of being Game Masters have appeared.
Contents
Examples
Dungeons & Dragons was the first commercially successful tabletop roleplaying game and made use of Game Masters under the name of Dungeon Masters. This was soon quickly followed by many other systems such as Basic Roleplaying (including offspring such as Call of Cthulhu and Hârnmaster) and GURPS. The use of Game Masters have continued to be a standard design component in many of the releases which have followed since then, including Paranoia, the various games using the Storytelling System, and Fallen Reich.
The creation of MUDs, computer-based multiplayer roleplaying games using text, such as DragonMud and Kingdoms automated the mundane responsibilities of Game Masters as code but maintained Game Masters under the name of wizards to create new code and revise it as well as solve social conflicts. These Game Masters were recruited from the player base and could still continue as players if they wanted. The commercial [[Category:Massively Multiplayer Online Games|massively multiplayer online games] that followed (e.g. Ultima Online and World of Warcraft) kept the Game Master position but reserved it for employees.
The computer game Sleep is Death shows a somewhat uncommon use of Game Masters in that it has one even if it only has one player.
Using the pattern
Roleplaying Randomness Dedicated Game Facilitators Challenging Gameplay Exaggerated Perception of Influence Agents Units Open Destiny Non-Player Characters Characters Stimulated Planning Enemies Fudged Results Freedom of Choice Multiplayer Games Late Arriving Players Companions Zero-Player Games Character Defining Actions Enforced Agent Behavior Single-Player Games Underlying Assumptions and Concepts Self-Facilitated Games
Diegetic Aspects
Interface Aspects
Narrative Aspects
Consequences
Relations
Can Instantiate
with ...
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Possible Closure Effects
Potentially Conflicting With
History
An updated version of the pattern Game Masters 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.
Acknowledgements
Marcus Brissman, Martin Fredriksson, Carl Heath, John-Philip Johansson, Johan Peitz, Annika Waern
