Unit 3 1 Social Game Interactions

2014 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning

Game Art and Design
Unit 3 Lesson 1

Social Game Interaction and Player
Patterns


Big Idea
Knowledge of the basic skills and
components of any field makes one
uniquely prepared to perform at a high
level in that area

SOCIAL GAME
INTERACTION


Engagement Activity
Introduction to formal elements: War!



Social Game Formats
Many games are played
with more than one
player.
These games have a
social aspect that allows
players to interact with
other players.


Social Game Formats: Types
1. Online multiplayer
Players connect home PCs to the Internet.
Played by thousands of players - 24/7.
Subscription-based system - players play a
monthly fee.
Encourage players to form groups to solve
problems.
The relationships formed are strong
incentives for continuing the game.


2. MMOGs, MMORPGs , MMORTSs and
MMOFPs.
MMOG - massively multiplayer online
games.
MMORPG - massively multiplayer online
role-playing games.
MMOFPS - massively multiplayer online
first-person shooter games.
MMORTS - massively multiplayer online
real-time strategy games.



2. MMOGs, MMORPGs , MMORTSs and
MMOFPs
biggest issue is how to balance social
interaction with immersion.
benefits - meet new people from
everywhere.
problem - player misbehavior.
The Internet allows player anonymity,
which could result in rude, cheating, or
fraudulent behavior.


The Game Community
Develops any time players
get together to play.
Continually changes -
small as two players
playing a dance game or
as large as a MMOG.
Developers control the
boundaries with the game
rules and roles.


The Game Community
Evolves depending on the
players personalities,
interactions between the
players, and the larger social
context of the game.
Similar to a convention
where players drop in and
out instead of a sports
team where the players
are constant.



The Game Community
Closed and Open systems
Closed - no outside
exchange with the
environment.
Open - when the
community of players
continually changes.


The Game Community
Metagames
Games beyond the basic
game, interplay that
arises outside the rules.
Tactics that use features
outside the intended
game use or that exploit
errors in programming.



The Game Community
Metagames Example:
A player discovers that when a weapon
is fired at the ground, jumping power is
increased.
The increased power allows him/her to
overcome obstacles normally not
reachable.
This was not the intended purpose of
the game.



The Game Community
Audiences
Game designers must
consider the target
audience when designing.
To understand the makeup
of the audience,
researchers study
demographics of a
population.



The Game Community
Audiences
Demographics include
relevant economic and
social statistics.
Age, gender, and
income, are used to
separate the audience
into target groups
called markets.



The Game Community
Industry has divided players into two groups:
1. Hard Core Players
Have many long game sessions with
frequent discussions.
Are knowledgeable about the industry and
usually possess all of the latest games.
Desire to extend existing games creatively.
Have a higher frustration level.
Engage in competitions.



The Game Community
Industry has divided players into two groups:
2. Casual players
These are the rest of the game players who
are not hard-core.
Interest in playing games is limited.
Tend to play games that are easier to learn
and master.



The Game Community
Disabilities
There are many games for players with
disabilities.
Games can add accessibility options.
Research has discovered that playing
sports or fighting games helps distract
children suffering from chronic pain (The
Edmonton Journal, Feb 13
th
, 2006).


The Game Community
Disabilities
Games are used for cancer treatment,
weight control, and improved motor
coordination.
Dance Dance Revolution has helped
many children lose weight and gain
motor development.
Adding these accessibility features can
increase sales as well as improved PR.



Virtual Reality
VR is the simulation of reality through
technology.
VR can lessen dangers associated with
the real, e.g., flight simulation for
combat helicopter pilots.
Can provide training environments
where mistakes are less costly, e.g.,
management of nuclear power stations
or chemical plants.


PLAYER
PATTERNS


Player Patterns
Games designed for players
When designing a game
consider
How many players does the
game require?
How many total players
does the game support?
Do various players have
different roles?
Do players compete,
cooperate, or both?


Player Patterns
A game designed for one
player is different than a
game designed for two,
four, or 10,000.
A game designed for a
specific number of
players has different
considerations than a
game designed for a
variable number.


Players Patterns :Roles
Most games have uniform roles for all
players while some have more than one
role for players.
In Mastermind, one player chooses to be
the code-breaker, while the other
chooses to be the code-maker.
Role Playing Games (RPGs) have a
variety of roles for players to choose.

SEVEN MAJOR
PLAYER PATTERNS


1. Single Player vs. Game
Most common pattern for digital gaming
(use cards to demonstrate).
Includes puzzles and other game
structures to create conflict (solitaire).


2. Multiple Individual Players
vs. Game
Multiple players compete against the
game in the company of each other.
Action is not directed at each other.
No interaction between players.
Essentially, this pattern is a single-
player game played in the company of
others (Race).



2. Multiple Individual Players
vs. Game


3. Player vs. Player
A game where two players directly
compete.
Classic structure for strategy games and
good for competitive players.
One-on-one makes competition a
personal contest.
The intense competition marks this
pattern for focused, head-to-head play
(war).


3. Player vs. Player


4. Unilateral Competition
Two or more players compete against
one player.
Examples include tag and dodge ball.
Interesting model for combining
cooperative and competitive gameplay.


4. Unilateral Competition


5. Multilateral Competition
Game structure in which three or more
players directly compete.
This pattern is what people think of
when they think of multiplayer games.
Board games are multilateral for
between three six players usually
(Hearts-Spades).



5. Multilateral Competition


6. Cooperative Play
Two or more players cooperate against
the game system (Farmville).
Often found in childrens board games.


7. Team Competition
Game structure in which two or more
groups compete.
Includes soccer, basketball and
charades.
This game structure can provide fun for
fans of the teams as well as the players
(Spades).


7. Team Competition


Big Idea
Knowledge of the basic skills and
components of any field makes one
uniquely prepared to perform at a high
level in that area.

Game Art and Design
Unit 3 Lesson 1

Social Game Interaction and Player
Patterns
images
Clipart, student work, Photos by Phyllis Jones

Unit 3 1 Social Game Interactions

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2014 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning

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