Difference between revisions of "Replays"

From gdp3
Jump to: navigation, search
(Using the pattern)
 
(25 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Category:Staffan's current workpage]]
+
[[Category:Narration Patterns]]
 +
[[Category:Mechanical Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Patterns]]
 
[[Category:Patterns]]
[[Category:Needs work]]
 
 
[[Category:Needs revision]]
 
[[Category:Needs revision]]
[[Category:Needs examples]]
 
 
[[Category:Needs references]]
 
[[Category:Needs references]]
 
[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]]
 
[[Category:Patterns created on the Wiki]]
[[Category:Stub]]
 
 
''Stored recordings of gameplay.''
 
''Stored recordings of gameplay.''
  
Line 12: Line 10:
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
Regardless of if they are supported by the game designs themselves, players can usually create [[Replays]]. Screen recording programs running simultaneously as games can do this on computers while it can be done for nearly all types of with the use of regular video cameras. One exception is games providing 3D projections since these are difficult to capture correctly and another one is [[:Category:Live Action Roleplaying Games|Live Action Roleplaying Games]] since video recording equipment is usually not consistent with the diegesis nor easy to hide.
+
Regardless of if they are supported by the game designs themselves, players can usually create [[Replays]]. Screen recording programs running simultaneously as games can do this on computers while it can be done for nearly all types of with the use of regular video cameras. One exception is games providing 3D projections since these are difficult to capture correctly and another one is [[:Category:Live Action Roleplaying Games|Live Action Roleplaying Games]] since video recording equipment is usually not consistent with the diegesis nor easy to hide. [[Pelageya]], a two part Finnish [[:Category:Live Action Roleplaying Games|LARP]], shows a case where [[Replays]] can be used effectively: players of the first part recorded events in a spaceship as they took place and players of the second part later had to try and figure out what had happen on the ship by viewing the recordings. The design of [[En Stilla Middag]] also motivates the present of cameras at some occasions by being the staging of a 60-year celebration in modern time.
  
Examples of games that have built-in systems to create [[Replays]] include [[America's Army]], [[Battlefield 2]] and later installments of the [[Battlefield series]]. These [Replays]] can take much less space than other [[Replays]] since they only need to contain the game state updates; the downside to this is that they need game engines to play or export the [[Replays]] later.
+
Examples of games that have built-in systems to create [[Replays]] include [[America's Army]], [[Battlefield 2]] and later installments of the [[Battlefield series]]. These [[Replays]] can take much less space than other [[Replays]] since they only need to contain the game state updates; the downside to this is that they need game engines to play or export the [[Replays]] later. [[Clash of Clans]] is another example, which supports players to replays of the fights they have been part of from within the game itself.
  
 
[[:Category:Racing Games|Racing Games]] such as the [[F-Zero series]], the [[Gran Turismo series]], and the [[Mario Kart series]] make use of [[Replays]] in another fashion. Here, the [[Replays]] are shown during other play sessions to provide incorporeal racing opponents that lets players compete against non-present players or even themselves. The cooperative two-player game the [[ESP Game]] takes this one step further in that players do not know if they are playing with other humans or [[Replays]] of these humans previous game sessions.
 
[[:Category:Racing Games|Racing Games]] such as the [[F-Zero series]], the [[Gran Turismo series]], and the [[Mario Kart series]] make use of [[Replays]] in another fashion. Here, the [[Replays]] are shown during other play sessions to provide incorporeal racing opponents that lets players compete against non-present players or even themselves. The cooperative two-player game the [[ESP Game]] takes this one step further in that players do not know if they are playing with other humans or [[Replays]] of these humans previous game sessions.
  
 
== Using the pattern ==
 
== Using the pattern ==
[[Replays]] are from a gameplay perspective trivial to design. They do however need [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], not only to generate the actual footage but also to be able and store the [[Replays]] and later play them. They also require consideration on how controlling the creation of [[Replays]] can be done through the game interface without distracting from playing the games.  
+
[[Replays]] are typically added to a game design to allow the storing of players' [[Enactment]] or other actions where there exists [[Performance Uncertainty]]. This [[Enactment]] is typical a form of [[Real-Time Performance]] and may be more motivated for [[Physical Enactment]] than other types of [[Enactment]]. While [[Replays]] can be displayed back to players as part of the game experience or directly afterwards, another use of [[Replays]] are to support [[Extra-Game Broadcasting]].  
  
One design option that does exist for [[Replays]] is whether it is players or the game system that initiates the recording and presentations of [[Replays]]. An example of the latter is [[Killcams]], which affect gameplay since they are shown directly after kills and can reveal the location of enemy players.
+
[[Replays]] are from a gameplay perspective trivial to design. They do however need [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], not only to generate the actual footage but also to be able and store the [[Replays]] and later play them. They also require consideration on how controlling the creation of [[Replays]] can be done through the game interface without distracting from playing the games. One design option that does exist for [[Replays]] is whether it is players or the game system that initiates the recording and presentations of [[Replays]]. An example of the latter is [[Killcams]], which affect gameplay since they are shown directly after kills and can reveal the location of enemy players.
 +
 
 +
The above has assumed computer-based games. [[Replays]] may however may possible in some other types of games. [[Contract Bridge]] is an example of a [[:Category:Card Games|Card Game]] where providing a separate [[Discard Piles|Discard Pile]] for each trick allows players to rather easily reconstruct the gameplay afterwards if they wish to.
  
 
=== Interface Aspects ===
 
=== Interface Aspects ===
Even if starting and stopping the recordings of [[Replays]] are [[Extra-Game Actions]], the interface for doing so is typically accessible through key presses rather than [[Secondary Interface Screens]]. This is to not distract players from the often challenging gameplay they wish to save for posterity.
+
Even if starting and stopping the recordings of [[Replays]] are [[Extra-Game Actions]], the interface for doing so is typically accessible through key presses rather than [[Secondary Interface Screens]]. This is to avoid distracting players from the often challenging gameplay they wish to save for posterity.
  
 
=== Narrative Aspects ===
 
=== Narrative Aspects ===
[[Replays]] let players record gameplay sequences which can become narratives of their own gameplay experience or the narratives contained within the [[Predetermined Story Structures]] of games (or both). They can support [[Player-Generated Narratives]] even if games have [[Predetermined Story Structures]] since players can manipulate the footage in post-production through cutting, voice-overs, special effects, etc.
+
[[Replays]] let players record gameplay sequences which can become narratives of their own gameplay experience or the narratives contained within the [[Predetermined Story Structures]] of games (or both). They can support [[Player-Generated Narratives]] even if games have [[Predetermined Story Structures]] since players can manipulate the footage in post-production through cutting, voice-overs, special effects, etc. As such, [[Replays]] is a [[:Category:Narration Patterns|Narration Pattern]].
  
 
== Consequences ==
 
== Consequences ==
Player
+
[[Replays]] are a form of [[Extra-Game Consequences]] of gameplay and can be seen as a way to display [[Gameplay Statistics]] from a specific game instance. When players can control the creation of [[Replays]] this gives them a [[Freedom of Choice]] to engage in [[Extra-Game Actions]], possibly to create [[Game Instance Stories]]. These can be used later to allow others to be [[Spectators]] to game sessions. This in turn can support [[Meta Games]] in the form of [[Speedruns]].
  
[[Spectators]]
+
[[Replays]] can be the basis for [[Bragging]] and [[Game-Based Social Statuses]]. For [[Single-Player Games]], this can modulate them so they support [[Social Interaction]] even if not during gameplay itself.
  
 
+
System-created [[Replays]] can be used to create [[AI Players]] and [[Ghosts]] through letting the actions of game entities be based upon those contained within the [[Replays]]. One use of these is to show opponents during [[Speedruns]].
[[Replays]] can be the basis for [[Bragging]] and [[Game-Induced Player Social Status]]. For [[Single-Player Games]], this can modulate them so they support [[Social Interaction]] even if not during gameplay itself.
+
 
+
=== Can Instantiate ===
+
[[AI Players]],
+
[[Extra-Game Actions]],
+
[[Extra-Game Consequences]],
+
[[Freedom of Choice]],
+
[[Gameplay Statistics]],
+
[[Ghosts]],
+
[[Meta Games]],
+
[[Speed Runs]]
+
 
+
=== Can Modulate ===
+
[[Speed Runs]]
+
  
 
== Relations ==
 
== Relations ==
Line 58: Line 44:
 
[[Freedom of Choice]],  
 
[[Freedom of Choice]],  
 
[[Gameplay Statistics]],  
 
[[Gameplay Statistics]],  
[[Game-Induced Player Social Status]],  
+
[[Game-Based Social Statuses]],
 +
[[Game Instance Stories]],  
 
[[Ghosts]],  
 
[[Ghosts]],  
[[Meta Games]],
 
 
[[Player-Generated Narratives]],  
 
[[Player-Generated Narratives]],  
 
[[Spectators]],  
 
[[Spectators]],  
[[Speed Runs]]
+
[[Speedruns]]
  
 
==== with [[Single-Player Games]] ====
 
==== with [[Single-Player Games]] ====
Line 69: Line 55:
  
 
=== Can Modulate ===
 
=== Can Modulate ===
 +
[[Enactment]],
 +
[[Extra-Game Broadcasting]],
 +
[[Physical Enactment]],
 +
[[Performance Uncertainty]],
 +
[[Real-Time Performance]],
 
[[Single-Player Games]],  
 
[[Single-Player Games]],  
[[Speed Runs]]
+
[[Speedruns]]
  
 
=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
 
=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
 
[[Dedicated Game Facilitators]],  
 
[[Dedicated Game Facilitators]],  
 
[[Killcams]]
 
[[Killcams]]
 +
 +
[[Discard Piles]] together with [[Trick Taking]]
  
 
=== Can Be Modulated By ===
 
=== Can Be Modulated By ===
Line 92: Line 85:
  
 
== Acknowledgements ==
 
== Acknowledgements ==
-
+
Samuel Gyllenberg,
 +
Jonas Linderoth,
 +
Jaakko Stenros,
 +
Annika Waern,
 +
Maria Åresund

Latest revision as of 19:23, 5 January 2015

Stored recordings of gameplay.

Replays are recordings of what have happened during a game session. It can either be done by a player following his or her gameplay or an independent presentation of the overall gameplay. The actual recording may be playable as other videos, be records of game state updates that only can be shown in game engines, or be used as input to entities in future game instances.

Examples

Regardless of if they are supported by the game designs themselves, players can usually create Replays. Screen recording programs running simultaneously as games can do this on computers while it can be done for nearly all types of with the use of regular video cameras. One exception is games providing 3D projections since these are difficult to capture correctly and another one is Live Action Roleplaying Games since video recording equipment is usually not consistent with the diegesis nor easy to hide. Pelageya, a two part Finnish LARP, shows a case where Replays can be used effectively: players of the first part recorded events in a spaceship as they took place and players of the second part later had to try and figure out what had happen on the ship by viewing the recordings. The design of En Stilla Middag also motivates the present of cameras at some occasions by being the staging of a 60-year celebration in modern time.

Examples of games that have built-in systems to create Replays include America's Army, Battlefield 2 and later installments of the Battlefield series. These Replays can take much less space than other Replays since they only need to contain the game state updates; the downside to this is that they need game engines to play or export the Replays later. Clash of Clans is another example, which supports players to replays of the fights they have been part of from within the game itself.

Racing Games such as the F-Zero series, the Gran Turismo series, and the Mario Kart series make use of Replays in another fashion. Here, the Replays are shown during other play sessions to provide incorporeal racing opponents that lets players compete against non-present players or even themselves. The cooperative two-player game the ESP Game takes this one step further in that players do not know if they are playing with other humans or Replays of these humans previous game sessions.

Using the pattern

Replays are typically added to a game design to allow the storing of players' Enactment or other actions where there exists Performance Uncertainty. This Enactment is typical a form of Real-Time Performance and may be more motivated for Physical Enactment than other types of Enactment. While Replays can be displayed back to players as part of the game experience or directly afterwards, another use of Replays are to support Extra-Game Broadcasting.

Replays are from a gameplay perspective trivial to design. They do however need Dedicated Game Facilitators, not only to generate the actual footage but also to be able and store the Replays and later play them. They also require consideration on how controlling the creation of Replays can be done through the game interface without distracting from playing the games. One design option that does exist for Replays is whether it is players or the game system that initiates the recording and presentations of Replays. An example of the latter is Killcams, which affect gameplay since they are shown directly after kills and can reveal the location of enemy players.

The above has assumed computer-based games. Replays may however may possible in some other types of games. Contract Bridge is an example of a Card Game where providing a separate Discard Pile for each trick allows players to rather easily reconstruct the gameplay afterwards if they wish to.

Interface Aspects

Even if starting and stopping the recordings of Replays are Extra-Game Actions, the interface for doing so is typically accessible through key presses rather than Secondary Interface Screens. This is to avoid distracting players from the often challenging gameplay they wish to save for posterity.

Narrative Aspects

Replays let players record gameplay sequences which can become narratives of their own gameplay experience or the narratives contained within the Predetermined Story Structures of games (or both). They can support Player-Generated Narratives even if games have Predetermined Story Structures since players can manipulate the footage in post-production through cutting, voice-overs, special effects, etc. As such, Replays is a Narration Pattern.

Consequences

Replays are a form of Extra-Game Consequences of gameplay and can be seen as a way to display Gameplay Statistics from a specific game instance. When players can control the creation of Replays this gives them a Freedom of Choice to engage in Extra-Game Actions, possibly to create Game Instance Stories. These can be used later to allow others to be Spectators to game sessions. This in turn can support Meta Games in the form of Speedruns.

Replays can be the basis for Bragging and Game-Based Social Statuses. For Single-Player Games, this can modulate them so they support Social Interaction even if not during gameplay itself.

System-created Replays can be used to create AI Players and Ghosts through letting the actions of game entities be based upon those contained within the Replays. One use of these is to show opponents during Speedruns.

Relations

Can Instantiate

AI Players, Bragging, Extra-Game Actions, Extra-Game Consequences, Freedom of Choice, Gameplay Statistics, Game-Based Social Statuses, Game Instance Stories, Ghosts, Player-Generated Narratives, Spectators, Speedruns

with Single-Player Games

Social Interaction

Can Modulate

Enactment, Extra-Game Broadcasting, Physical Enactment, Performance Uncertainty, Real-Time Performance, Single-Player Games, Speedruns

Can Be Instantiated By

Dedicated Game Facilitators, Killcams

Discard Piles together with Trick Taking

Can Be Modulated By

-

Possible Closure Effects

-

Potentially Conflicting With

-

History

New pattern created in this wiki.

References

-

Acknowledgements

Samuel Gyllenberg, Jonas Linderoth, Jaakko Stenros, Annika Waern, Maria Åresund