COMP 585 Serious Games GAMEPLAY WHY DO WE

COMP 585: Serious Games GAMEPLAY

WHY DO WE PLAY GAMES? � Entertaining � Simplified models � Easier to focus � Keep focus as long as possible

FLOW THEORY (CSIKSZENTMIHALYI) � Pronunciation: CHEEK-sent-mə-HY-ee

SCHELL’S TAXONOMY � Space � Objects � Actions � Rules � Goal (he includes this under rules) � Skill � Chance

SPACE: MAGIC CIRCLE � Continuous vs. discrete � Number of dimensions � Boundaries � Sub-spaces � Multiple models

SPACE: SOME EXAMPLES � Tic-Tac-Toe � Monopoly � Billiards � Lacrosse � Rock, Paper, Scissors

OBJECTS: THE NOUNS � Characters � Weapons � Power-ups � Objects � Tokens � HUDs, �… dashboards

OBJECTS: WHAT ABOUT THEM? � Attributes (the adjectives) � States of attributes � Static or dynamic � State diagrams: transitions and triggers � Communicating � What � How states should the player know? much state can a person track? � Secrets: who knows what

STATES: WHO KNOWS? � 3 classes: � Private � Public � Unknown � Secrets: who knows what � Design Issues � What should the player know? � How much state can a person track?

STATES: EXAMPLES � Chess � Poker � Draw � Stud � Blackjack � Concentration � Rock, Paper, Scissors

ACTIONS (EMERGENT PLAY): THE VERBS � Two types: � Operative (movements) � Resultant (intents): capture strategy � Interesting games are defined by resultant actions KEYS: � Probably the key to innovative games � How to make the player feel they have unlimited options with limited actions

HOW TO IMPROVE EMERGENT PLAY �Add more actions �Let actions act on more objects �Multiple ways to reach a goal �Avoid �Many dominant strategies subjects (active objects) �Side effects changing constraints

RULES Foundational (abstraction) Operational (how you play) Conceptual Written Behavioral (how you act) Unwritten Sniderman

RULES � Different for Different Modes � Full game � Within game � Minimize time spent there or lose the bigger game � Enforcement � Players � Referees � Computer (architecture)

GOAL � Simply stated and understood � Between � Must a tag line and a tweet! be � Concrete � Achievable � Rewarding (both in gaining and seeking) � Choices: � Series or single � Short or long term � But if more than one, MUST be related

SKILL � Types �Physical (sports, controllers) �Mental (problem solving) �Social (reading opponents, psyching opponents) � Goal is improvement � Real vs. virtual �Balance!

CHANCE: LITTLE BIT OF PROBABILITY � � � Probability = looked for possible outcomes OR = add probabilities AND = multiply probabilities Probability distributions Expected values

CHANCE: HOW IT PLAYS � Probability � Skill of understanding chance � Human element � NOT just expected value � Risks and regrets