Difference between revisions of "Save Points"

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(References)
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This pattern is a still a stub.
 
This pattern is a still a stub.
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TV Tropes has an entry for [[Save Points]]<ref name="tvtropes"/>.
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=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
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[[Dead Rising]]
 
[[Dead Rising]]
  
TV Tropes has an entry for [[Save Points]]<ref name="tvtropes"/>.
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[[Tomb Raider series]] in console versions
  
 
== Using the pattern ==
 
== Using the pattern ==
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[[Collections]],  
 
[[Collections]],  
  
A large part of designing [[Save Points]] is to choose when they exist. This may be as physical locations &ndash; in which case they either modulate or create [[Check Points]] &ndash; in [[Levels]], or they can exist between [[Levels]]. When they do exist as physical locations they tend to exist in [[Safe Havens]] since this prevents players  
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[[Multiplayer Games]]
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A large part of designing [[Save Points]] is to choose when they exist. This may be as physical locations &ndash; in which case they either modulate or create [[Check Points]] &ndash; in [[Levels]], or they can exist between [[Levels]]. When they do exist as physical locations they tend to exist in [[Safe Havens]] since this prevents players from creating [[Unwinnable Game States]] of the form where they will automatically die directly after loading the game state saved by a [[Save Points|Save Point]].
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[[Save Points]] need to make use of [[Save Files]] in some sense.
  
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A general question for [[Save Points]] used in a game is it they simply save that a player has reached that point, only a part of the overall game state, or the complete game state. In the first case, the [[Save Files]] may simply only be [[Password Save Files]].
 
[[Permadeath]],  
 
[[Permadeath]],  
  
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== Relations ==
 
== Relations ==
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[[Multiplayer Games]]
 
=== Can Instantiate ===
 
=== Can Instantiate ===
 
[[Check Points]],  
 
[[Check Points]],  
 
[[Closure Points]],  
 
[[Closure Points]],  
[[Extra Chances]]
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[[Extra Chances]],
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[[Password Save Files]],
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[[Save Files]],
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[[Unwinnable Game States]]
  
 
=== Can Modulate ===
 
=== Can Modulate ===

Revision as of 12:32, 28 October 2015

The one-sentence "definition" that should be in italics.

This pattern is a still a stub.

TV Tropes has an entry for Save Points[1].


Examples

Assassin's Creed series

Dead Rising

Tomb Raider series in console versions

Using the pattern

Can Modulate

, Collections,

Multiplayer Games

A large part of designing Save Points is to choose when they exist. This may be as physical locations – in which case they either modulate or create Check Points – in Levels, or they can exist between Levels. When they do exist as physical locations they tend to exist in Safe Havens since this prevents players from creating Unwinnable Game States of the form where they will automatically die directly after loading the game state saved by a Save Point.

Save Points need to make use of Save Files in some sense.

A general question for Save Points used in a game is it they simply save that a player has reached that point, only a part of the overall game state, or the complete game state. In the first case, the Save Files may simply only be Password Save Files. Permadeath,

Save-Load Cycles, Traverse

Can Be Modulated By

Goal Hierarchies


Save Points changes or makes Scores represent something different since players can go back to earlier game states and try to maximize Scores in a way not possible in games without Save Points (or Save Files).

Narration Aspects

From a narrational point of view, Save Points sets up a problem of maintaining Temporal Consistency regarding what happens in the unfolding story of a game compared to what a players knows and does if using Save Points to go back and redo parts of the game.

Consequences

Reaching Save Points can count as reaching (Traverse) closures, so the use of them can be seen as already creating Closure Points. Since the purpose of Save Points is to provide players with points from which they can restart later if need be, they also allow players to have Extra Chances.

Relations

Multiplayer Games

Can Instantiate

Check Points, Closure Points, Extra Chances, Password Save Files, Save Files, Unwinnable Game States

Can Modulate

Check Points, Collections, Levels, Permadeath, Safe Havens, Save-Load Cycles, Traverse

Can Be Instantiated By

-

Can Be Modulated By

Goal Hierarchies

Possible Closure Effects

-

Potentially Conflicting With

Scores, Temporal Consistency

History

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

References

  1. Entry for Save Points at the TV Tropes wiki.
  2. Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.

Acknowledgements

-