The blog post "Standard Patterns in Choice-Based Games" identifies common narrative structures used in choice-driven interactive fiction. It categorizes these patterns into timed choices, gated content based on stats or inventory, branching paths with varying consequences, hubs with radiating storylines, and hidden information or states that influence outcomes. The post argues that these patterns, while useful, can become predictable and limit the potential of the medium if overused. It advocates for greater experimentation with non-linearity and player agency, suggesting ideas like procedurally generated content, emergent narrative, and exploring the impact of player choice on the world beyond immediate consequences.
The blog post "Standard Patterns in Choice-Based Games (2015)" by Emily Short explores common design patterns employed in interactive narratives, specifically those using a choice-based structure where the player progresses the story by selecting from presented options. Short argues that understanding these recurring structures can be beneficial for both authors creating these games and players engaging with them. Recognizing these patterns allows authors to deliberately utilize established techniques, potentially streamlining the development process and creating a more consistent player experience. For players, awareness of these patterns can enhance their understanding of the underlying mechanics driving the narrative, allowing for more strategic engagement with the choices presented.
The post identifies several key patterns, categorizing them for clarity. One prominent category revolves around gating, where access to content or specific outcomes is controlled by earlier choices, often involving acquiring items, skills, or relationships. These gates can function as prerequisites, locking off content until specific criteria are met, or as branching paths, diverting the narrative based on the player's accumulated state. This pattern can enhance replayability by incentivizing players to explore different paths on subsequent playthroughs to unlock previously inaccessible content.
Another significant category encompasses timers and counters. This refers to the implementation of hidden or explicit tracking mechanisms that influence the narrative's progression. A timer might represent a deadline the player must meet, while a counter could track the accumulation of resources or the development of a relationship. These mechanisms introduce a sense of urgency or consequence to player choices, as inaction or specific actions can increment or decrement these values, impacting future events. The post highlights how these mechanics can create a dynamic and evolving narrative landscape, even within the constraints of a choice-based system.
Short also discusses patterns related to character relationships and internal states. These patterns often involve tracking the player character's relationship with non-player characters (NPCs), influencing the availability of certain dialogue options, actions, or even entire plotlines. The internal state of the player character, including traits like personality, morality, or mental health, can also be tracked and influence the unfolding narrative in similar ways. This allows for a more personalized player experience, reflecting the consequences of choices on the player character's development and relationships.
The post further delves into hub and spoke structures, where the narrative revolves around a central location or concept (the hub) from which various self-contained storylines (the spokes) branch out. This allows players to explore different facets of the narrative world at their own pace, returning to the central hub to select new avenues for exploration. This structure offers flexibility in narrative design and can accommodate varying lengths and complexities of individual storylines.
Finally, Short touches upon the concept of nested patterns, where multiple patterns are combined or layered to create more intricate and nuanced narrative experiences. For example, a gated section of the narrative might itself contain timers and counters, adding complexity to the player's decision-making process. This demonstrates the potential for sophisticated and dynamic storytelling even within the seemingly simple framework of choice-based games.
By highlighting these patterns, the blog post provides a valuable framework for understanding the underlying design principles of choice-based games, fostering both greater appreciation for existing games and offering guidance for aspiring creators. It emphasizes that despite the apparent simplicity of choosing between predetermined options, the strategic deployment of these patterns can result in rich, engaging, and replayable interactive narratives.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43015585
HN commenters largely praise Katamari Damacy's unique and charming gameplay, with several sharing fond memories and highlighting its addictive nature. Some discuss the game's clever level design and how it encourages exploration and experimentation. A few commenters analyze the game's underlying physics engine, noting its surprisingly realistic behavior given the game's whimsical nature. Others appreciate the postmortem's insights into the development process and the challenges of creating such a novel game. The game's music also receives significant praise, with many calling it iconic and perfectly complementing the gameplay. Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many considering Katamari Damacy a classic.
The Hacker News post titled "Postmortem: The singular design of Namco's Katamari Damacy (2004)" has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the game's design and impact.
Several commenters reminisce about their enjoyment of the game, praising its unique and addictive gameplay. One commenter describes the pure joy and satisfaction derived from the simple act of rolling things up, highlighting the game's ability to evoke a childlike sense of wonder. The quirky and charming aesthetic is also mentioned as a contributing factor to the game's appeal.
A few comments delve into the game's design choices. One commenter discusses the intentional clunkiness of the controls, suggesting that it adds to the game's charm and reinforces the feeling of controlling a large, unwieldy ball. Another comment praises the level design, noting how it cleverly encourages exploration and experimentation with different rolling strategies. The use of music and sound effects is also highlighted as a key element of the game's whimsical atmosphere.
Some commenters analyze the game's cultural impact. One suggests that Katamari Damacy represents a shift away from traditional video game narratives and objectives, offering a more playful and experimental experience. Another comment draws parallels between the game's mechanics and the concept of accumulating possessions, hinting at a deeper underlying meaning.
A couple of the comments mention the sequels and spin-offs, with some expressing disappointment that they failed to capture the magic of the original. There's a brief discussion about the technical limitations of the PlayStation 2 and how they influenced the game's design.
One commenter shares a personal anecdote about introducing the game to their children, further emphasizing its enduring appeal across generations.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News reflect the fondness and appreciation for Katamari Damacy's unique design, quirky charm, and lasting impact on the gaming landscape. While many express nostalgia for the original game, the discussion also touches upon broader themes of game design philosophy and the cultural significance of unconventional gaming experiences.