Set interval is a player reward mechanic that regularly rewards a player upon reaching a specified interval (such as completion of a task). The reward itself may be randomized but the player has the assurance that when the interval is reached during gameplay, they will be rewarded.
Cons
Set interval systems require significant planning and programming/implementation to balance gameplay and progression
As complexity of game increases, the amount of work going into planning said systems increases, sometimes exponentially (More below)
May be simpler to let players choose rewards rather than automating rewards
Pros
Often an ideal choice for progression systems (if progression systems are universally equal for all player options)
Consistency of rewards to efforts reinforces player expectations
Easier to plan escalating challenges with due to higher consistency of gameplay milestones
Commentary
Example of increase: game starts out with two player options - classes each with unique tools to aid their efforts; as a third option (class) is added a set interval reward system would ideally need to create a reward set specific to that option to adequately reward the player rather than giving them a chance at rewards useful to them which are tacked onto the rewards set of the other options.
Definitely less exciting than random interval reward systems, but set interval's strength is in long term planning and use. Set interval establishes reliable rates and is a staple of complex and/or lengthy duration games.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Gaming theory: Random interval reward mechanics
Random interval (or often: Random drop) is a player reward mechanic commonly used in games. From board games utilizing shuffled cards or similar elements to the complex arrays of digital games, random interval is used to simulate spontaneous occurrences of rewards in order to add to the excitement of player efforts in the interim of gameplay.
Like many a term in gaming, it is difficult to cite an accurate source or precise definition across platforms, genres, or gaming sub-cultures for its "random drop" alternate name. I'd suggest the term came into being from the nature of the rewards and the most frequent appearance methods of these rewards; being occasional and often difficult to rationally tie to their sources with appeaing in the gaming world on the 'persons' of defeated foes or their immediate area as if 'dropped' from possession.
Cons
Can fail to be desirable by players with specific goals or those whose characters cannot effectively use the reward
Rarity of specific rewards becomes artificially greater as the list of alternate rewards increases
Often requires inventory management and liquidation efforts in order to make rewards useful
May trigger impulse control issues similar to gambling due to player market demands, wider range of reward values, and inconsistency of rewards to player efforts
Pros
Incredibly easy to design, program/implement, and expand upon
Can be a very effective means to promote player-ran/player-participant in-game markets
Excitement factor of more desirable rewards can aid in extending play duration
Commentary
Random interval rewards have a number of other instances aside of the more apparent; likely any time that there is a chance of variation in instance rewards for player efforts, they are interacting with a random interval mechanic. Some random interval systems also have a randomized chance of rewarding the player either due to sharing rewards with cooperative players or by adding a null reward option.
Random interval reward systems should very rarely (if ever) be used for progression systems as they will force players out of comparable or competitive capacity at no fault of their own efforts.
One way to think about random interval is that it's a simplified mechanic that tries to remove consideration of player specific goals and needs and offers a single system that rewards players approximately equal values of rewards for approximately equal efforts.
Like many a term in gaming, it is difficult to cite an accurate source or precise definition across platforms, genres, or gaming sub-cultures for its "random drop" alternate name. I'd suggest the term came into being from the nature of the rewards and the most frequent appearance methods of these rewards; being occasional and often difficult to rationally tie to their sources with appeaing in the gaming world on the 'persons' of defeated foes or their immediate area as if 'dropped' from possession.
Cons
Can fail to be desirable by players with specific goals or those whose characters cannot effectively use the reward
Rarity of specific rewards becomes artificially greater as the list of alternate rewards increases
Often requires inventory management and liquidation efforts in order to make rewards useful
May trigger impulse control issues similar to gambling due to player market demands, wider range of reward values, and inconsistency of rewards to player efforts
Pros
Incredibly easy to design, program/implement, and expand upon
Can be a very effective means to promote player-ran/player-participant in-game markets
Excitement factor of more desirable rewards can aid in extending play duration
Commentary
Random interval rewards have a number of other instances aside of the more apparent; likely any time that there is a chance of variation in instance rewards for player efforts, they are interacting with a random interval mechanic. Some random interval systems also have a randomized chance of rewarding the player either due to sharing rewards with cooperative players or by adding a null reward option.
Random interval reward systems should very rarely (if ever) be used for progression systems as they will force players out of comparable or competitive capacity at no fault of their own efforts.
One way to think about random interval is that it's a simplified mechanic that tries to remove consideration of player specific goals and needs and offers a single system that rewards players approximately equal values of rewards for approximately equal efforts.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Game review: Waterfalls 3
Waterfalls 3 is a physics-puzzle game primarily utilizing particle effects and made by MoonMana.To get through the levels, the player must use the available redirection nodes to fill the goals with the corresponding particles.
Summary of analysis
Quick new player experience, enjoyable gameplay experience, mouse-controlled game with bare minimum interface, highly visually appealing, risky choice in background music.
Tutorial/New player experience
The game has very little in tutorial elements, leaving a new player to figure out the puzzles through experimentation. Given the nature of Waterfalls 3 as a puzzle game in addition to the gameplay, it's likely this was a good idea as walking players through each level with hints may strip away too much.
Gameplay experience
In my experience with the game, there was a rather low amount of difficulty in progressing the levels at least until the higher ones, where I needed a lengthy amount of time to start reconditioning the skills I'd learned in the lower levels in order to have the particles redirected in less expected ways and combine the efforts of multiple nodes in less direct solutions, including one where I played hot potato with the nodes in order to get the solution.
I will definitely say that Waterfalls 3 was fun and worth the try, my one regret being the limited availability of levels to play.
Interface & Controls
Mouse-only control scheme with very minimal interface.
Graphics
Simple and reasonably descriptive nodes with vibrant particle effects. While easily described, it hardly does credit to the visual appeal of the game's graphics.
Music & Sound
Throughout gameplay there was a relaxing background music featuring a singer. This began to lose its appeal over time as music with words is extremely hard to effectively loop without starting to become a nuisance. As I happened to like the style, I was able to listen to it a lot longer than I expect those with differing tastes in music would.
Commentary
All three of the games in the series share most of the same mechanics, making them easy extensions of one another. I recommend starting with Waterfalls 3 as it's seems to have the lowest difficulty curve due to having had the most time for level design to be refined.
Summary of analysis
Quick new player experience, enjoyable gameplay experience, mouse-controlled game with bare minimum interface, highly visually appealing, risky choice in background music.
Tutorial/New player experience
The game has very little in tutorial elements, leaving a new player to figure out the puzzles through experimentation. Given the nature of Waterfalls 3 as a puzzle game in addition to the gameplay, it's likely this was a good idea as walking players through each level with hints may strip away too much.
Gameplay experience
In my experience with the game, there was a rather low amount of difficulty in progressing the levels at least until the higher ones, where I needed a lengthy amount of time to start reconditioning the skills I'd learned in the lower levels in order to have the particles redirected in less expected ways and combine the efforts of multiple nodes in less direct solutions, including one where I played hot potato with the nodes in order to get the solution.
I will definitely say that Waterfalls 3 was fun and worth the try, my one regret being the limited availability of levels to play.
Interface & Controls
Mouse-only control scheme with very minimal interface.
Graphics
Simple and reasonably descriptive nodes with vibrant particle effects. While easily described, it hardly does credit to the visual appeal of the game's graphics.
Music & Sound
Throughout gameplay there was a relaxing background music featuring a singer. This began to lose its appeal over time as music with words is extremely hard to effectively loop without starting to become a nuisance. As I happened to like the style, I was able to listen to it a lot longer than I expect those with differing tastes in music would.
Commentary
All three of the games in the series share most of the same mechanics, making them easy extensions of one another. I recommend starting with Waterfalls 3 as it's seems to have the lowest difficulty curve due to having had the most time for level design to be refined.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Game review: Realm of the Mad God
Realm of the Mad God is an fast-paced action game and self-described MMO (presumably Massively Multiplayer Online game). Realm of the Mad God is by Wild Shadow Studios. The player's objective is to slaughter the infinite hordes of Oryx in an attempt to 'call out' the game's end boss and then slay them.
Summary of analysis
Underdeveloped new player experience, gameplay experience lacking in depth and of debatable entertainment value, keyboard and mouse controls and bulky interface, basic and effective graphics, barely adequate music and sound.
Tutorial/New player experience
The game's tutorial elements are outlined with the writing on thewall floor of the tutorial level. While learning to play the game seems easy, cautiously remind yourself that it's intended to be an MMO and that the tutorial level is a pale representation of the rest of the game. After completing the basic lessons, a new player is dropped into an open game world with at least hundreds of players, pointed to a random 'quest creature' and forced to rush to meet objectives before someone else randomly gets it first. But refrain from worrying, there will always be another random objective to chase after should one fail to reach it in time.
Gameplay experience
If you've come to grind in an anarchic collective, kudos on your choice of game. If you've come for anything else... expect disappointment and confusion. Though there may appear to be an economic system in the game, the game currency is only there for non-essential items or account upgrades (in other words, don't bother picking something up unless your character can and will use it).
The game has a guest account system, meaning that a player doesn't need to go to the trouble of registering for an account if they just want to try the game out, the game also seems to randomly assign a character class to guest account players and the rest are unlockable through gameplay.
Interface & Controls
The game's interface takes up about a third of the screen but is probably going to be ignored more than half of the time playing the game. There's also a few menu screens but little reason to reference those outside of learning the hotkeys or changing controls or options. The game's control scheme utilizes both mouse and keyboard controls.
There's also a chat system, though I'd be hesitant to call that a good feature.
Graphics
The game utilizes sprite graphics which can become confusing in highly player-populated areas but will have a very low system demand.
Music & Sound
To the designer's credit, they skimped on background music making the game's file size manageable for flash, so bring your own unless you can stand a tedius grind on the ears to go with like gameplay. The sound effects are okay, much better than the music.
Commentary
Having played a lot of MMOs, Realm of the Mad God appears to be more an attempt at satirizing the genre rather than a legitimate attempt at good game design. While I'll give them points for the attempt of launching an MMO in flash, it's painful to watch the way the game 'works'. There's overabundant player clutter, an overly complicated inventory and class systems, I'd say it's easy to get lost, but the game lacks direction and appears to be ninety-seven percent grind. While there is a replay value, it's more grinding in a barely different character class trying to unlock yet more grind.
Summary of analysis
Underdeveloped new player experience, gameplay experience lacking in depth and of debatable entertainment value, keyboard and mouse controls and bulky interface, basic and effective graphics, barely adequate music and sound.
Tutorial/New player experience
The game's tutorial elements are outlined with the writing on the
Gameplay experience
If you've come to grind in an anarchic collective, kudos on your choice of game. If you've come for anything else... expect disappointment and confusion. Though there may appear to be an economic system in the game, the game currency is only there for non-essential items or account upgrades (in other words, don't bother picking something up unless your character can and will use it).
The game has a guest account system, meaning that a player doesn't need to go to the trouble of registering for an account if they just want to try the game out, the game also seems to randomly assign a character class to guest account players and the rest are unlockable through gameplay.
Interface & Controls
The game's interface takes up about a third of the screen but is probably going to be ignored more than half of the time playing the game. There's also a few menu screens but little reason to reference those outside of learning the hotkeys or changing controls or options. The game's control scheme utilizes both mouse and keyboard controls.
There's also a chat system, though I'd be hesitant to call that a good feature.
Graphics
The game utilizes sprite graphics which can become confusing in highly player-populated areas but will have a very low system demand.
Music & Sound
To the designer's credit, they skimped on background music making the game's file size manageable for flash, so bring your own unless you can stand a tedius grind on the ears to go with like gameplay. The sound effects are okay, much better than the music.
Commentary
Having played a lot of MMOs, Realm of the Mad God appears to be more an attempt at satirizing the genre rather than a legitimate attempt at good game design. While I'll give them points for the attempt of launching an MMO in flash, it's painful to watch the way the game 'works'. There's overabundant player clutter, an overly complicated inventory and class systems, I'd say it's easy to get lost, but the game lacks direction and appears to be ninety-seven percent grind. While there is a replay value, it's more grinding in a barely different character class trying to unlock yet more grind.
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