Difference between revisions of "Testing Achievements"
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=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| − | For longer single-player games, and especially those with multiple endings, [[Goal Achievements]] are typically tied to completing quests. Examples of such achievements can be found in the later installments of the [[Fallout series]] | + | For longer single-player games, and especially those with multiple endings, [[Goal Achievements]] are typically tied to completing quests. Examples of such achievements can be found in the later installments |
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| + | [[Fallout:New Vegas]] of the [[Fallout series]] encourages players to get a companion through rewarding them with the ''Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal'' achievement ( | ||
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| + | e.g. ''Ain't That a Kick in the Head'', ''Arizona Killer'', and ''No Gods, No Masters''<ref name="F:NV"/> in [[Fallout: New Vegas]] | ||
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| + | can be said to | ||
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| + | The action RPG [[Torchlight]] has the achievements ''Fetch a Fair Price'', ''Shape-Shifter'', and ''Pet Trainer'' to encourage players to use the functionality their pets provide, while the achievement ''Mod Squad'' is rewarded for players installing a mod to the game<ref name="Torchlight"/>. | ||
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In contrast, multiplayer games that structure gameplay around shorter game sessions. For the [[Left 4 Dead Series]] this includes completing campaigns such as ''Midnight Rider'', ''Weatherman'', and ''Torch Bearer''<ref name="L4D2"/> in [[L4D2]], while for [[World of Warcraft]] [[Goal Achievements]] are structured around completing dungeons and raids, e.g. ''Blackfathom Deeps'', ''Uldaman'', and ''Zul'Gurub'' by defeating Aku'mai, Archaedas, and Hakkar respectively<ref name="WoW"/>. | In contrast, multiplayer games that structure gameplay around shorter game sessions. For the [[Left 4 Dead Series]] this includes completing campaigns such as ''Midnight Rider'', ''Weatherman'', and ''Torch Bearer''<ref name="L4D2"/> in [[L4D2]], while for [[World of Warcraft]] [[Goal Achievements]] are structured around completing dungeons and raids, e.g. ''Blackfathom Deeps'', ''Uldaman'', and ''Zul'Gurub'' by defeating Aku'mai, Archaedas, and Hakkar respectively<ref name="WoW"/>. | ||
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[[Testing Achievements]] are typically designed through selecting some of the optional activities supported by the game, one that might otherwise be overlooked if players are focused on one strategy of completing or winning the game. However, for games with [[Varied Gameplay]] one can construct [[Testing Achievements]] to make players test other ways of playing the game, so these types of [[Achievements]] can also be used to encouraged [[Varied Gameplay]] if the difference in gameplay is under players' choice (rather than the game varying the gameplay between different parts). Even if the required actions by players often are trivially easy in [[Testing Achievements]], they can be made even easier by awarding them simply for trying - actions do not have to be successfully performed for the achievement to be given. | [[Testing Achievements]] are typically designed through selecting some of the optional activities supported by the game, one that might otherwise be overlooked if players are focused on one strategy of completing or winning the game. However, for games with [[Varied Gameplay]] one can construct [[Testing Achievements]] to make players test other ways of playing the game, so these types of [[Achievements]] can also be used to encouraged [[Varied Gameplay]] if the difference in gameplay is under players' choice (rather than the game varying the gameplay between different parts). Even if the required actions by players often are trivially easy in [[Testing Achievements]], they can be made even easier by awarding them simply for trying - actions do not have to be successfully performed for the achievement to be given. | ||
| − | What differs [[Testing Achievements]] from [[Goal Achievements]] is simply that even if performing the activity could be see as a goal, it is a trivial goal to succeed with and the main requirement is that the player is willing to try the activity (and does not need to successfully complete it). However, [[Testing Achievements]] and [[Goal Achievements]] can be used in pair - the first for trying to perform some activity and the second for showing that one has mastered that specific activity through reaching a non-trivial goal. [[Grinding Achievements]] may be constructed from requiring players to perform the same activity as the same used in [[Testing Achievements]], but repeatedly performing an activity is directly opposite to testing it. | + | What differs [[Testing Achievements]] from [[Goal Achievements]] is simply that even if performing the activity could be see as a goal, it is a trivial goal to succeed with and the main requirement is that the player is willing to try the activity (and does not need to successfully complete it). However, [[Testing Achievements]] and [[Goal Achievements]] can be used in pair - the first for trying to perform some activity and the second for showing that one has mastered that specific activity through reaching a non-trivial goal. An example of this is the achievements ''Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal'' and ''The Whole Gang's Here'' in [[Fallout:New Vegas]] which are given for having recruited any [[Companions|Companion]] and having recruited all respectively. [[Grinding Achievements]] may be constructed from requiring players to perform the same activity as the same used in [[Testing Achievements]], but repeatedly performing an activity is directly opposite to testing it. |
All types of [[Achievements]] can be used to create [[Meta Games]] based on [[Collection]] goals. [[Testing Achievements]] are in this respect low hanging fruits that can be used to increase the number of [[Achievements]] without demanding an especially high increase in effort needed to complete the [[Collection]]. | All types of [[Achievements]] can be used to create [[Meta Games]] based on [[Collection]] goals. [[Testing Achievements]] are in this respect low hanging fruits that can be used to increase the number of [[Achievements]] without demanding an especially high increase in effort needed to complete the [[Collection]]. | ||
Revision as of 09:15, 15 December 2010
Achievements given simply by having tested some action in the game.
Contents
Examples
For longer single-player games, and especially those with multiple endings, Goal Achievements are typically tied to completing quests. Examples of such achievements can be found in the later installments
Fallout:New Vegas of the Fallout series encourages players to get a companion through rewarding them with the Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal achievement (
e.g. Ain't That a Kick in the Head, Arizona Killer, and No Gods, No Masters[1] in Fallout: New Vegas
can be said to
The action RPG Torchlight has the achievements Fetch a Fair Price, Shape-Shifter, and Pet Trainer to encourage players to use the functionality their pets provide, while the achievement Mod Squad is rewarded for players installing a mod to the game[2].
In contrast, multiplayer games that structure gameplay around shorter game sessions. For the Left 4 Dead Series this includes completing campaigns such as Midnight Rider, Weatherman, and Torch Bearer[3] in L4D2, while for World of Warcraft Goal Achievements are structured around completing dungeons and raids, e.g. Blackfathom Deeps, Uldaman, and Zul'Gurub by defeating Aku'mai, Archaedas, and Hakkar respectively[4].
Using the pattern
Testing Achievements are typically designed through selecting some of the optional activities supported by the game, one that might otherwise be overlooked if players are focused on one strategy of completing or winning the game. However, for games with Varied Gameplay one can construct Testing Achievements to make players test other ways of playing the game, so these types of Achievements can also be used to encouraged Varied Gameplay if the difference in gameplay is under players' choice (rather than the game varying the gameplay between different parts). Even if the required actions by players often are trivially easy in Testing Achievements, they can be made even easier by awarding them simply for trying - actions do not have to be successfully performed for the achievement to be given.
What differs Testing Achievements from Goal Achievements is simply that even if performing the activity could be see as a goal, it is a trivial goal to succeed with and the main requirement is that the player is willing to try the activity (and does not need to successfully complete it). However, Testing Achievements and Goal Achievements can be used in pair - the first for trying to perform some activity and the second for showing that one has mastered that specific activity through reaching a non-trivial goal. An example of this is the achievements Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal and The Whole Gang's Here in Fallout:New Vegas which are given for having recruited any Companion and having recruited all respectively. Grinding Achievements may be constructed from requiring players to perform the same activity as the same used in Testing Achievements, but repeatedly performing an activity is directly opposite to testing it.
All types of Achievements can be used to create Meta Games based on Collection goals. Testing Achievements are in this respect low hanging fruits that can be used to increase the number of Achievements without demanding an especially high increase in effort needed to complete the Collection.
Consequences
Like other types of Achievements, Testing Achievements can be seen as a type of Reward and a basis for Meta Games. Testing Achievements can, unlike other types of Achievements, support Smooth Learning Curves since they can provide motivation to players during the start of engaging in some type activity when players are learning and Experimenting.
For games with Varied Gameplay, Testing Achievements can be used to make players at least test the different ways of playing for a short while. This may promote Replayability, but is probably more likely to do so when combined with Goal Achievements to provide Rewards both for beginning to play a certain way and for successfully completing the game or Quest in a game by playing a certain way.
Relations
Can Instantiate
with ...
Can Modulate
Can Be Instantiated By
Can Be Modulated By
Possible Closure Effects
Potentially Conflicting With
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
- ↑ List of Fallout:New Vegas achievements in the Steam Achievements system and percentages of gamers receiving them.
- ↑ List of Torchlight achievements in the Steam Achievements system and percentages of gamers receiving them.
- ↑ Valve Software's list of L4D2 achievements and percentages of gamers receiving them.
- ↑ WoWWiki's list of Dungeon and Raid achievements.
