Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 1.1
continued
Video Game Challenges
CHALLENGE TYPE
CLASSIC EXAMPLE
Time Pressure
Beating the clock
Frogger
Achieving something before someone else
IndyCar Racing
Memory and Knowledge Challenges
Trivia
You Don't Know Jack
Recollection of objects or patterns
Brain Age
Exploration Challenges
Identifying spatial relationships
Descent
, navigating in three dimensions
Finding keys (unlocking any space)
Ultima
Finding hidden passages
Doom
Mazes and illogical spaces
Zork
Conflict
Strategy, tactics, and logistics
Warcraft
, commanding armies
Survival
Pac-Man
, avoiding being caught
Reduction of enemy forces
Space Invaders
, killing aliens
Defending vulnerable items or units
Ico
, looking after a little girl who can't fight
Stealth
Thief: The Dark Project
, avoiding being seen
Economic Challenges
Accumulating resources or points (growth)
Civilization
Establishing efficient production systems
The Settlers
Achieving balance or stability in a system
SimEarth
Caring for living things
The Sims
Conceptual Reasoning Challenges
Sifting clues from red herrings
Law and Order
, solving crimes
Detecting hidden meanings
Planescape: Torment
, understanding char-
acters' motivations from vague hints
Understanding social relationships
Façade
, reconciling a quarreling couple
Lateral thinking
The Incredible Machine
, building a machine
from limited parts
Creation/Construction Challenges
Aesthetic success (beauty or elegance)
The Sims
, assembling a photo album
Construction with a functional goal
SimCity
