Difference between revisions of "Game World Exploration"

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(Consequences)
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[[Left 4 Dead series]]
 
[[Left 4 Dead series]]
 
[[Assassin's Creed series]]
 
[[Assassin's Creed series]]
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[[Grand Theft Auto series]]
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[[Minecraft]]
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[[Elder Scrolls series]]
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[[Just Cause series]]
  
 
== Using the pattern ==
 
== Using the pattern ==
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== Consequences ==
 
== Consequences ==
[[Game World Exploration]] is in essence the aim of finding game elements or charting [[Game Worlds]]. While this is typically done through [[Movement]], the actual traversal done while doing this is not so important as the exploratory action this provides (see Linderoth 2010<ref name="Linderoth"/> for a discussion on performative and exploratory actions in games). The activity requires [[Game World Navigation]] and [[Memorizing]] of the layout unless some [[Game State Overviews]], e.g. [[Mini-maps]], shows the already-explored areas.  
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[[Game World Exploration]] is in essence the aim of finding game elements or charting [[Game Worlds]]. While this is typically done through [[Movement]], the actual traversal done while doing this is not so important as the exploratory action this provides (see Linderoth 2010<ref name="Linderoth"/> for a discussion on performative and exploratory actions in games). The activity requires [[Game World Navigation]] and [[Memorizing]] of the layout unless some [[Game State Overviews]], e.g. [[Mini-maps]], shows the already-explored areas. The use of [[Mini-maps]] can through this modulate [[Game World Exploration]] but when they show the layout of parts of [[Game Worlds]] that have not yet been visited it instead works against the purpose of having exploration goals.
  
As Exploration relies upon the environment being unknown to players, it gives players Limited Foresight and can be used to create Surprises. The possibility of Surprises, the feeling of discovering new places, and Illusionary Rewards in the form of aesthetically pleasing Outstanding Features can all give players Emotional Immersion.
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As [[Game World Exploration]] relies upon the environment being unknown to players, the presence of goals related to this ensure that players have [[Limited Foresight]] and may experience [[Surprises]]. The possibility of Surprises, the feeling of discovering new places, and Illusionary Rewards in the form of aesthetically pleasing Outstanding Features can all give players Emotional Immersion.
  
 
Exploration is a special case of combining Traverse and Gain Information and, like the latter, requires either Imperfect Information or Uncertainty of Information. Exploration differs from Reconnaissance in that the places, areas, and area boundaries are not known and the player has to get more information about them when there is Fog of War. Exploration can be used to move players into new game spaces, either to provide Varied Gameplay by the novelty of the area or provide Surprises to put the player at a disadvantage, e. g., by the lack of knowledge of Strategic Location s.
 
Exploration is a special case of combining Traverse and Gain Information and, like the latter, requires either Imperfect Information or Uncertainty of Information. Exploration differs from Reconnaissance in that the places, areas, and area boundaries are not known and the player has to get more information about them when there is Fog of War. Exploration can be used to move players into new game spaces, either to provide Varied Gameplay by the novelty of the area or provide Surprises to put the player at a disadvantage, e. g., by the lack of knowledge of Strategic Location s.
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=== Can Instantiate ===
 
=== Can Instantiate ===
 
[[Game World Navigation]],  
 
[[Game World Navigation]],  
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[[Limited Foresight]],
 
[[Memorizing]],  
 
[[Memorizing]],  
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[[Surprises]],
 
[[Quests]]
 
[[Quests]]
  
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=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
 
=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
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[[Mini-maps]],
 
[[Quests]]
 
[[Quests]]
  

Revision as of 12:28, 5 September 2011

The goal of learning the layout of a game world, or locating specific parts or objects within it.

This pattern is a still a stub.

In games where the whole Game World is not know at the beginning of the game, it is often advantageous to try and acquire this knowledge during gameplay. Typically examples of this use of Exploration can be found in real-time strategy games, first-person shooters, and roleplaying games.

Examples

Example: Games in the Civilization series start with the players knowing very little about the Game World. A prerequisite for being able to plan on a higher level against the other players or how to expand one's civilization depends on completing as much Exploration of the world as possible.

Left 4 Dead series Assassin's Creed series

Grand Theft Auto series

Minecraft

Elder Scrolls series

Just Cause series

Using the pattern

The definition of an Exploration goal is by its nature fuzzy. The player is given the task that there is something important to find in an unknown territory in the Game World, either specific game elements or Strategic Locations, but the exact locations of the Goal Points are not known. However, the exact nature of what is to be found does not have to be explicitly known either, giving game designers two different options for Surprises. Exploration often makes use of Supporting Goals that provide partial information of how to find the main goal of the search.

For Exploration to be used, games need to provide a form of Movement in the game space that in non-linear, so that a player has to decide in which direction to explore. That said, the area to be explored may be predetermined or be created using Randomness or a game board constructed by another player. The latter supports Replayability while the former can more easily provide a Narrative Structure or Surprises.

Resources, Outstanding Features, Obstacles,Traces, and Clues are typically used in designing the Game World to support Exploration and give points of reference. Enemies and Deadly Traps are also commonly used to provide Optional Goals or increase the Tension at certain points. Easter Eggs are special cases that provide extra-game rewardsfor Exploration. The design of the area in which the Exploration goal is situated can be postponed by using Tile-Laying to create the Game World as it is being explored.

Common reasons for Exploration besides explicitly given goals are the known existences of Secret Resources, for example, Resources needed to perform Construction actions. When these Resources are also Shared Resources, they put players in Races against each other. The use of Levels guarantees a form of Exploration goal, since the unvisited Levels are unexplored areas. The knowledge that Resource Generators exist is a motivation for Exploration in real-time strategy games.

Can Be Instantiated By

Avatars, Detective Structures, Game Worlds, Grind Achievements, Levels, Movement Pick-Ups, Procedurally Generated Game Worlds, Props, Reconfigurable Game Worlds, Secret Areas, Strategic Locations, Tile-Laying

Persistent Game Worlds together with Evolving Rule Sets or Expansions

Can Be Modulated By

Clues, Diegetically Outstanding Features, Enemies, Landmarks, Props, Traces

Mini-maps

Diegetic Aspects

Interface Aspects

Narrative Aspects

Consequences

Game World Exploration is in essence the aim of finding game elements or charting Game Worlds. While this is typically done through Movement, the actual traversal done while doing this is not so important as the exploratory action this provides (see Linderoth 2010[1] for a discussion on performative and exploratory actions in games). The activity requires Game World Navigation and Memorizing of the layout unless some Game State Overviews, e.g. Mini-maps, shows the already-explored areas. The use of Mini-maps can through this modulate Game World Exploration but when they show the layout of parts of Game Worlds that have not yet been visited it instead works against the purpose of having exploration goals.

As Game World Exploration relies upon the environment being unknown to players, the presence of goals related to this ensure that players have Limited Foresight and may experience Surprises. The possibility of Surprises, the feeling of discovering new places, and Illusionary Rewards in the form of aesthetically pleasing Outstanding Features can all give players Emotional Immersion.

Exploration is a special case of combining Traverse and Gain Information and, like the latter, requires either Imperfect Information or Uncertainty of Information. Exploration differs from Reconnaissance in that the places, areas, and area boundaries are not known and the player has to get more information about them when there is Fog of War. Exploration can be used to move players into new game spaces, either to provide Varied Gameplay by the novelty of the area or provide Surprises to put the player at a disadvantage, e. g., by the lack of knowledge of Strategic Location s.

Single-Player Games that support Exploration through Easter Eggs and other Optional Goals offers players the opportunity to trade knowledge between game instances.

Can Instantiate

Quests


with Minigames

Easter Eggs

with Strategic Locations

Smooth Learning Curves

Potentially Conflicting With

Quests

Relations

Can Instantiate

Game World Navigation, Limited Foresight, Memorizing, Surprises, Quests

with Minigames

Easter Eggs

with Strategic Locations

Smooth Learning Curves

Can Modulate

Game Worlds

Can Be Instantiated By

Avatars, Detective Structures, Game Worlds, Grind Achievements, Levels, Movement, Pick-Ups, Procedurally Generated Game Worlds, Props, Reconfigurable Game Worlds, Secret Areas, Strategic Locations, Tile-Laying

Persistent Game Worlds together with Evolving Rule Sets or Expansions

Can Be Modulated By

Clues, Diegetically Outstanding Features, Enemies, Game State Overviews, Landmarks, Mini-maps, Props, Traces

Possible Closure Effects

-

Potentially Conflicting With

Mini-maps, Quests

History

An updated version of the pattern Exploration that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[2].

References

  1. Linderoth, J. (2010). Why gamers donʼt learn more - An ecological approach to games as learning environment, in Nordic DiGRA 2010.
  2. Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.

Acknowledgements

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