Difference between revisions of "Helplessness"

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[[Category:Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Negative Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Negative Patterns]]
[[Category:Needs work]]
 
 
[[Category:Needs revision]]
 
[[Category:Needs revision]]
 
[[Category:Needs examples]]
 
[[Category:Needs examples]]
 
[[Category:Needs references]]
 
[[Category:Needs references]]
 +
[[Category:Dynamic Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]]
 
[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]]
[[Category:Stub]]
 
[[Category:Staffan's current workpage]]
 
 
''Gameplay situations where players cannot themselves affect their situation.''
 
''Gameplay situations where players cannot themselves affect their situation.''
  
This pattern is a still a stub.
+
Games may be about putting players in positions where they can make interesting choices but sometimes games takes this away from them. By doing so, they put them in a state of [[Helplessness]] where even if they can notice how the gameplay progresses they are unable to do anything about it.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
 
Player in the [[Left 4 Dead series]] can become incapacitated by falling off ledges, being pinned by infected with special powers, or by simply receiving enough damage. When this occurs players cannot by themselves affect their fate, they have to be saved by other players.
 
Player in the [[Left 4 Dead series]] can become incapacitated by falling off ledges, being pinned by infected with special powers, or by simply receiving enough damage. When this occurs players cannot by themselves affect their fate, they have to be saved by other players.
 +
 +
A weak example of the pattern can be found in how players can try to get out of the brig in [[Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game]] - players may initiate actions to get themselves out but can only affect the success by adding one skill card while all other players can add more.
  
 
== Using the pattern ==
 
== Using the pattern ==
 +
The main concern with using [[Helplessness]] is to consider when it should be applied and what is required for it to end. The most common reason for applying it is as a form of [[Penalties|Penalty]]. [[Helplessness]] might not be able to get out of by the players themselves, but can expire by itself after a certain [[Time Limits|Time Limit]].
  
[[Ultra-Powerful Events]]
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Although [[Resources]] do not in themselves create [[Helplessness]], a lack of needed [[Resources]] can do this, including a lack of [[Budgeted Action Points]] or [[Neighbors]].
  
[[Extended Actions]]
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[[Multiplayer Games]] open up another possibility in that it allows for other players to intervene on the behalf of helpless players, as for example done in the [[Left 4 Dead series]]. This can further be modulated by letting players have the possibility to request help - this is possible by default in games with [[Unmediated Social Interaction]] but may require [[Communication Channels]] in others. In theory help could also come from [[Helpers]] or [[Companions]] but this is not a common design solution - probably because it is also difficult to regulate but without the emotional aspects of having to rely on other players. The [[Mario Kart series]] is an exception since in some [[Levels]] players that have driven their vehicles into oceans are shown being towed out of them by [[Helpers]].
[[Multiplayer Games]]
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[[Delayed Reciprocity]]
+
  
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]
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Entering into [[Helplessness]] may be an active choice by players, e.g. [[Extended Actions]] may be balanced so that a powerful effect requires that one becomes unable to defend oneself until the action is completed.
  
[[Privileged Abilities]]
+
Adding [[Helplessness]] to [[Multiplayer Games]] with [[FUBAR Enjoyment]] creates [[Mutual FUBAR Enjoyment]] since the helpless players will focus their attention on those players that can help them.
 +
 +
== Consequences ==
 +
[[Helplessness]] removes [[Player Agency]]. Since it stops players from affecting the outcome of the game, it enforces [[Downtime]] but with the important distinction that the gameplay progresses and that other players may still be able to act. It generally works against [[Empowerment]], [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], and [[Freedom of Choice]]. It opens up for other players to take on [[Social Roles]] as helpers of the player that is helpless (as well as letting the one suffering from [[Helplessness]] take on the role of a victim).
  
[[No-Ops]]
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[[Helplessness]] may not be something players perceived as a positive state, and this makes it suitable to use as [[Penalties]]. It can be seen as a way to create [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] which in turn quite easily creates [[Tension]] in the players, and possibly [[Anticipation]] as they notice that effort is being made to help them or that they their fate is being sealed. It makes it impossible for players affected to have [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], but in [[Multiplayer Games]] players can instead be made to feel it if they can save incapacitated players, i.e. if the [[Helplessness]] naturally gives rise to [[Rescue]] goals. When this occurs, they can contextually be seen as having [[Privileged Abilities]], and saving others can easily create expectations of [[Delayed Reciprocity]].
  
[[Cut Scenes]]
+
For games where players can ask for help through [[Unmediated Social Interaction]] or [[Communication Channels]], [[Helplessness]] may easily give rise to [[Negotiation]] and [[Guilting]].
  
=== Diegetic Aspects ===
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When [[Helplessness]] is self-inflicted through engaging in [[Extended Actions]], they provide additional [[Tension]] and evoke [[Risk/Reward]] considerations.
  
=== Interface Aspects ===
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== Relations ==
 +
=== Can Instantiate ===
 +
[[Anticipation]],
 +
[[Downtime]],
 +
[[No-Ops]],
 +
[[Penalties]],
 +
[[Rescue]],
 +
[[Social Roles]],
 +
[[Tension]],
 +
[[Ultra-Powerful Events]]
  
=== Narrative Aspects ===
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==== with [[Communication Channels]] or [[Unmediated Social Interaction]] ====
 +
[[Guilting]],
 +
[[Negotiation]]
  
== Consequences ==
+
==== with [[Extended Actions]] ====
[[Helplessness]] quite easily creates [[Tension]] in players, and [[Anticipation]] either of being saved or in meeting ones fate.
+
[[Risk/Reward]]
  
It makes it impossible for players affected to have [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], but may give it to other players if they have the [[Privileged Abilities]] to save incapacitated players.
+
==== with [[FUBAR Enjoyment]] and [[Multiplayer Games]] ====
 +
[[Mutual FUBAR Enjoyment]]
  
== Relations ==
+
==== with [[Multiplayer Games]] ====
=== Can Instantiate ===
+
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]],  
[[Anticipation]],  
+
[[Delayed Reciprocity]],
[[Tension]]
+
[[Privileged Abilities]]
 
+
==== with [[Multiplayer Games]] and [[Privileged Abilities]] ====
+
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]
+
  
 
=== Can Modulate ===
 
=== Can Modulate ===
-
+
[[Extended Actions]]
  
 
=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
 
=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
-
+
[[Budgeted Action Points]],
 +
[[Loss of Control]],
 +
[[Neighbors]],
 +
[[Resources]]
  
 
=== Can Be Modulated By ===
 
=== Can Be Modulated By ===
-
+
[[Companions]],
 +
[[Helpers]],
 +
[[Multiplayer Games]],
 +
[[Time Limits]]
 +
 
 +
[[Communication Channels]] or [[Unmediated Social Interaction]] in [[Multiplayer Games]]
  
 
=== Possible Closure Effects ===
 
=== Possible Closure Effects ===
Line 63: Line 82:
  
 
=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
 
=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]]
+
[[Empowerment]],
 +
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]],
 +
[[Freedom of Choice]],
 +
[[Player Agency]]  
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==

Latest revision as of 13:24, 27 August 2015

Gameplay situations where players cannot themselves affect their situation.

Games may be about putting players in positions where they can make interesting choices but sometimes games takes this away from them. By doing so, they put them in a state of Helplessness where even if they can notice how the gameplay progresses they are unable to do anything about it.

Examples

Player in the Left 4 Dead series can become incapacitated by falling off ledges, being pinned by infected with special powers, or by simply receiving enough damage. When this occurs players cannot by themselves affect their fate, they have to be saved by other players.

A weak example of the pattern can be found in how players can try to get out of the brig in Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game - players may initiate actions to get themselves out but can only affect the success by adding one skill card while all other players can add more.

Using the pattern

The main concern with using Helplessness is to consider when it should be applied and what is required for it to end. The most common reason for applying it is as a form of Penalty. Helplessness might not be able to get out of by the players themselves, but can expire by itself after a certain Time Limit.

Although Resources do not in themselves create Helplessness, a lack of needed Resources can do this, including a lack of Budgeted Action Points or Neighbors.

Multiplayer Games open up another possibility in that it allows for other players to intervene on the behalf of helpless players, as for example done in the Left 4 Dead series. This can further be modulated by letting players have the possibility to request help - this is possible by default in games with Unmediated Social Interaction but may require Communication Channels in others. In theory help could also come from Helpers or Companions but this is not a common design solution - probably because it is also difficult to regulate but without the emotional aspects of having to rely on other players. The Mario Kart series is an exception since in some Levels players that have driven their vehicles into oceans are shown being towed out of them by Helpers.

Entering into Helplessness may be an active choice by players, e.g. Extended Actions may be balanced so that a powerful effect requires that one becomes unable to defend oneself until the action is completed.

Adding Helplessness to Multiplayer Games with FUBAR Enjoyment creates Mutual FUBAR Enjoyment since the helpless players will focus their attention on those players that can help them.

Consequences

Helplessness removes Player Agency. Since it stops players from affecting the outcome of the game, it enforces Downtime but with the important distinction that the gameplay progresses and that other players may still be able to act. It generally works against Empowerment, Exaggerated Perception of Influence, and Freedom of Choice. It opens up for other players to take on Social Roles as helpers of the player that is helpless (as well as letting the one suffering from Helplessness take on the role of a victim).

Helplessness may not be something players perceived as a positive state, and this makes it suitable to use as Penalties. It can be seen as a way to create Ultra-Powerful Events which in turn quite easily creates Tension in the players, and possibly Anticipation as they notice that effort is being made to help them or that they their fate is being sealed. It makes it impossible for players affected to have Exaggerated Perception of Influence, but in Multiplayer Games players can instead be made to feel it if they can save incapacitated players, i.e. if the Helplessness naturally gives rise to Rescue goals. When this occurs, they can contextually be seen as having Privileged Abilities, and saving others can easily create expectations of Delayed Reciprocity.

For games where players can ask for help through Unmediated Social Interaction or Communication Channels, Helplessness may easily give rise to Negotiation and Guilting.

When Helplessness is self-inflicted through engaging in Extended Actions, they provide additional Tension and evoke Risk/Reward considerations.

Relations

Can Instantiate

Anticipation, Downtime, No-Ops, Penalties, Rescue, Social Roles, Tension, Ultra-Powerful Events

with Communication Channels or Unmediated Social Interaction

Guilting, Negotiation

with Extended Actions

Risk/Reward

with FUBAR Enjoyment and Multiplayer Games

Mutual FUBAR Enjoyment

with Multiplayer Games

Exaggerated Perception of Influence, Delayed Reciprocity, Privileged Abilities

Can Modulate

Extended Actions

Can Be Instantiated By

Budgeted Action Points, Loss of Control, Neighbors, Resources

Can Be Modulated By

Companions, Helpers, Multiplayer Games, Time Limits

Communication Channels or Unmediated Social Interaction in Multiplayer Games

Possible Closure Effects

-

Potentially Conflicting With

Empowerment, Exaggerated Perception of Influence, Freedom of Choice, Player Agency

History

An updated version of the pattern Helplessness first identified in the paper Exploring Aesthetic Gameplay Design Patterns – Camaraderie in Four Games[1].

References

  1. Bergström, K., Björk, S. & Lundgren, S. (2010). Exploring Aesthetic Gameplay Design Patterns – Camaraderie in Four Games. Paper presentation at Mindtrek 2010. Tampere, Finland.

Acknowledgements

-