Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
In many turn-based games, the limited number of actions a player can perform in
each turn can be considered a
static engine
. In this case, the focus of the game is
the choice of actions, and generally players cannot save actions for later turns. The
fantasy board game
Descent: Journeys in the Dark
uses this mechanism. Players can
choose between one of three actions for their hero every turn: move, attack, or pre-
pare a Special Action (
Figure B.2
). In our diagram, a player gets two actions every
turn and can perform the special action only once per turn. This creates five possi-
ble combinations: The player can attack twice, move twice, attack and move, attack
and do a special action, or move and do a special action.
FIGURe b.2
distribution of
action points in the
board game
Descent:
Journeys in the Dark
related Patterns
n
A weak
static engine
can prevent deadlocks in a converter engine.
n
A
static engine
can be elaborated by a
dynamic engine,
a
converter engine
, or a
slow
cycle
pattern.
n
Type:
Engine
n
Intent:
A source produces an adjustable flow of resources. Players can invest
resources to improve the flow.
n
Motivation:
A dynamic engine produces a steady flow of resources and opens the
possibility for long-term investment by allowing the player to spend resources to
improve production. The core of a dynamic engine is a positive constructive
feedback loop.
applicability
Use a dynamic engine when you want to introduce a trade-off between long-term
investment and short-term gains. This pattern gives the player more control over
the production rate than a
static engine
does.
