Difference between revisions of "Synchronous Gameplay"

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(Using the pattern)
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== Using the pattern ==
 
== Using the pattern ==
[[Synchronous Gameplay]] is typically either part of a game design to support [[Togetherness]] or simply a practical consequence of handling [[Excise]] in [[Self-Facilitated Games]] while at the same time letting players observe each other to mitigate risks of errors or cheating. While quite obviously [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] are not needed in the latter case, in the former it may be necessary if only to postpone the start of gameplay until everyone is present and to synchronize eventual [[Game Pauses]].  
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[[Synchronous Gameplay]] is typically either part of a game design to support [[Togetherness]] or simply a practical consequence of handling [[Excise]] in [[Self-Facilitated Games]] while at the same time letting players observe each other to mitigate risks of errors or cheating. While quite obviously [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] are not needed in the latter case, in the former it may be necessary if only to postpone the start of gameplay until everyone is present and to synchronize eventual [[Game Pauses]]. Since [[Synchronous Gameplay]] ensures that all players are present at the same time, providing [[Communication Channels]] to them often make sense if [[Social Interaction]] between them is encouraged.  
  
=== Can Be Modulated By ===
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How play and game sessions are handled for [[Synchronous Gameplay]] is important since players may need to have pauses between them. This makes the decision of having [[Real-Time Games]], [[Tick-Based Games]], or [[Turn-Based Games]] important when having [[Synchronous Gameplay]]. As one example of how these may influence the gameplay, [[Real-Time Games]] don't in themselves provide natural points for breaks while [[Turn-Based Games]] do.
[[Communication Channels]],
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[[Real-Time Games]],  
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[[Tick-Based Games]],  
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[[Turn-Based Games]]
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[[Synchronous Gameplay]] is incompatible with [[Turn Taking]] when turns do not support the players not having one from having gameplay.
 
[[Synchronous Gameplay]] is incompatible with [[Turn Taking]] when turns do not support the players not having one from having gameplay.

Revision as of 11:32, 17 July 2015

Games in which all players' game and play sessions overlap with each other in time.

This pattern is a still a stub.

Examples

Anti-Examples

optional

Using the pattern

Synchronous Gameplay is typically either part of a game design to support Togetherness or simply a practical consequence of handling Excise in Self-Facilitated Games while at the same time letting players observe each other to mitigate risks of errors or cheating. While quite obviously Dedicated Game Facilitators are not needed in the latter case, in the former it may be necessary if only to postpone the start of gameplay until everyone is present and to synchronize eventual Game Pauses. Since Synchronous Gameplay ensures that all players are present at the same time, providing Communication Channels to them often make sense if Social Interaction between them is encouraged.

How play and game sessions are handled for Synchronous Gameplay is important since players may need to have pauses between them. This makes the decision of having Real-Time Games, Tick-Based Games, or Turn-Based Games important when having Synchronous Gameplay. As one example of how these may influence the gameplay, Real-Time Games don't in themselves provide natural points for breaks while Turn-Based Games do.

Synchronous Gameplay is incompatible with Turn Taking when turns do not support the players not having one from having gameplay.

Consequences

Synchronous Gameplay makes games become Multiplayer Games and one sense of judging how much of Multiplayer Games they are can be how much of the gameplay is synchronous. Having to wait for players in the beginning of a game instance can cause Synchronous Gameplay to force Downtime on players. In addition, one player wanting or needing to take a break from gameplay forces Downtime on other players.

Having players having play session are the same time allows them to have real-time conversations, so Synchronous Gameplay affect the Social Interaction they can have during gameplay.

Relations

Can Instantiate

Downtime, Multiplayer Games, Togetherness

Can Modulate

Social Interaction

Can Be Instantiated By

Dedicated Game Facilitators, Self-Facilitated Games

Can Be Modulated By

Communication Channels, Real-Time Games, Tick-Based Games, Turn-Based Games

Possible Closure Effects

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Potentially Conflicting With

Turn Taking

History

An updated version of the pattern Synchronous Games that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[1].

References

  1. Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.

Acknowledgements

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