View source for Gameplay Mastery

[[Category:Patterns]]
[[Category:Dynamic Patterns]]
[[Category:Subjective Patterns]]
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[[Category:Needs references]]
[[Category:To be Published]]
''Mastery of performing actions and reaching goals in a game.''

Games challenges players in reaching goals and performing gameplay actions. Those games which allow players to become skillful in repeatedly succeeding with these allow players to develop [[Gameplay Mastery]] in them. 

=== Examples ===
[[Chess]] and [[Go]] are classical examples of games in which [[Gameplay Mastery]] consists of knowing sequences of actions, being able to think many steps ahead, and knowing how one's opponent thinks. Being good at [[Guts]], [[Poker]], and [[Texas Hold'em]] also rely on the latter of these but combined with an understanding of the probabilities of possible outcomes together with a skill in bluffing. In contrast, games such as the [[Left 4 Dead series]], [[Street Fighter series]], and [[Quake series]] require fast reactions and good hand-eye coordination; although knowing how one's enemies behave is also important especially in games against other players [[:Category:Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Games|MOBA Games]] such as [[Defense of the Ancients]] and [[League of Legends]] similarly requires both manual dexterity and outthinking one's opponents. 

==== Anti-Examples ====
As a game with no gameplay, [[Gameplay Mastery]] is impossible to achieve [[Progress Quest]]. Story-driven games, e.g. [[:Category:Adventure Games|Adventure Games]], e.g. [[Day of the Tentacle]], [[Fahrenheit]], [[Grim Fandango]], and the [[Walking Dead series]], have little or no gameplay that allows specific skills or knowledge to develop that can be re-used so claiming [[Gameplay Mastery]] in these are difficult to do. The exception may be in general puzzle solving based on the types of puzzle that exist in a particular genre or that a particular game designer creates.

== Using the pattern ==
Given that [[Gameplay Mastery]] is mastering the specific gameplay of a game, there are as many ways of supporting [[Gameplay Mastery]] as there are gameplay which involve some type of skill or knowledge. Perhaps the clearest way of offering [[Gameplay Mastery]] is to provide [[Dominant Strategies]] but if this is a viable design solution depends on if a game is a [[Multiplayer Games|Multiplayer Game]] (since its presence will make [[Player Balance]] impossible) and to which extent the game should provide [[Replayability]]. It can also be questionable since knowing the best way to play can lessen players' [[Freedom of Choice]] since there are typically only one or a few choices that are the best. Still on a general level, [[Complex Gameplay]] makes knowing the rules of a game part of reaching [[Gameplay Mastery]] while [[Challenging Gameplay]] guarantees that there is something to train at getting good at (or makes it more difficult to achieve [[Gameplay Mastery]]). However, being able to fully master a game can undo the challenging aspect of the gameplay so the patterns can work against each other, especially if [[Dominant Strategies]] exists.

One aspect of [[Gameplay Mastery]] concerns being able to plan what to do in a game. This makes [[Predictable Consequences]], [[Risk/Reward]], [[Stimulated Planning]], [[Strategic Knowledge]], [[Tactical Planning]], and [[Trade-Offs]] ways of allowing [[Gameplay Mastery]] to develop among players. More specific design features that support this are [[Card Building]], [[Deck Building]], [[Puzzle Solving]], and [[Resource Management]]. While the two latter of these taken place during gameplay, [[Card Building|Card]] or [[Deck Building]] can also occur before gameplay proper begins. Knowing when to do [[Construction/Scoring Phase Shift|Construction/Scoring Phase Shifts]] or [[Speedending]] are specific examples, and players that know this will affect the [[Middlegame]] of games. Planning and creating [[Flip-Flop Events]] is another specific aspect of [[Gameplay Mastery]] which is possible in games with mutable [[Turn Taking]]. Games with [[Construction]] that can be used to create [[Combos]] or lead to [[Emergent Gameplay]] can also allow for [[Gameplay Mastery]]. On a general level, knowing how and when to perform [[Extended Actions]] in games which have them is also a source for [[Gameplay Mastery]]. Another, related, aspect of [[Gameplay Mastery]] is having the information or knowledge needed to perform gameplay actions. Games with [[Paper-Rock-Scissors]] or [[Sidegrades]] require players to keep track of the game state to know when different actions should be made, and having this awareness is a common part of [[Gameplay Mastery]]. Knowing which [[Excluding Goals]] to choose depending on the game situation can also be a sign of [[Gameplay Mastery]] although the mere presence of [[Excluding Goals]] does not guarantee the possibility to have [[Gameplay Mastery]] in a game. Having [[Real World Knowledge Advantages]], e.g. about detailed pertaining to [[Seamful Gameplay]], or keeping track of [[Trans-Game Information]] can allow for [[Gameplay Mastery]] before gameplay begin, while [[Memorizing]] allows it to take place during gameplay. 

Being able to perform gameplay actions is also often a part of having [[Gameplay Mastery]]. The numerous ways this can be tested include [[Betting]] and [[Bluffing]] (in games such as [[Poker]]), building [[Pre-Customized Decks]], performing [[Dexterity-Based Actions]], [[Enactment]], handling [[Limited Resources]], [[Negotiation]], [[Player Physical Prowess]], [[Rhythm-Based Actions]], [[Social Skills]], [[Storytelling]], [[Timing]], and controlling [[Vehicles]]. More contextual examples include being able to [[Roleplaying|Roleplay]] that one is not the one that performed certain [[Anonymous Actions]] or performing [[Combos]] in games with [[Challenging Gameplay]] or [[Complex Gameplay]]. Slightly more general, avoiding [[Obstacles]] or [[Overcome|Overcoming]] enemies require gameplay actions that performing well signals [[Gameplay Mastery]]. [[Competence Areas]] is an overarching way to provide [[Gameplay Mastery]] since any game with [[Competence Areas]] by definition has areas in which players can become proficient. In [[Multiplayer Games]], [[Gameplay Mastery]] can both consist of being able to do [[Collaborative Actions]] and presenting [[Player Unpredictability]] to other players. 

[[Gameplay Mastery]] also requires that players have sufficiently difficult goals to try and complete. [[Predefined Goals]] naturally provides such goals but only if they are difficult enough to challenge players. On a general level, [[Further Player Improvement Potential]] provides this and games that encourage players to have [[FUBAR Enjoyment]] at least place players in difficult situations. [[Perceivable Margins]] gives players information on how they could have performed better and thereby supports players with improving their potential. Skill-based [[Multiplayer Games]] let players have [[Further Player Improvement Potential]] as long as more skilled players can be found and is for this reason a very common design features that supports the presence of [[Gameplay Mastery]]. [[Smooth Learning Curves]] guide players so they don't start with too difficult challenges but may require players to play through too easy before getting to parts which match their skill levels. [[Difficulty Levels]] in contrast let players set an appropriate level for themselves (potentially with [[AI Players]] of varying difficulties); the danger to this solution being that players can satisfy themselves with being able to complete a game at a certain [[Difficulty Levels|Difficulty Level]] and not push themselves to their full potential. Another danger is that [[Gameplay Mastery]] may make the [[Difficulty Levels]] meaningless since all of them may be too easy for an expert player. [[Achievements]] and the possibility of [[Speedruns]] encourage players to play in ways that typically are more difficult and thereby motivate players to fully develop a [[Gameplay Mastery]] as long as the [[Achievements]] and the challenges of [[Speedruns]] match the gameplay challenges of the game. [[Goal Achievements]] and [[Handicap Achievements]] specifically can modify how players try to reach [[Gameplay Mastery]] by pointing out certain goals or ways a game can be played which makes it harder (the former can for example be based upon showing that one can perform [[Repeat Combos]]). While having [[Experimenting]] as part of gameplay does not necessarily in itself provide skills that allow [[Gameplay Mastery]] but can allow players to try different types of actions and therefore promote players to reach [[Gameplay Mastery]]. 

While maybe not allowing for [[Gameplay Mastery]] in themselves, several design features can motivate players more to try and achieve the mastery which is possible. [[Symmetry]] can ensure that [[Gameplay Mastery]] is foregrounded in gameplay rather than luck in starting positions. In contrast, [[Uncertainty of Outcome]] can make [[Gameplay Mastery]] less likely to guarantee winning or dominance in gameplay while still allowing those with [[Gameplay Mastery]] the possibility of displaying it and having advantages of having it. [[Repetitive Gameplay]] puts focus on a specific type of gameplay and requires players to show a skill in it (if a skill for it exists) as well as lets players train at being good at it. It can however of course also limit how much gameplay there is to master. [[Player Balance]] and [[Red Queen Dilemmas]] can require display of [[Gameplay Mastery]] to be important throughout a game instance although they do make skillful gaming in the beginning of a game instance less important. [[High Score Lists]], [[Multiplayer Games]], [[Public Player Statistics]], and [[Spectators]] appeal to players' wishes to show themselves as good players (e.g. showing [[Spectators]] that they can achieve [[Repeat Combos]]). [[Tournaments]] and [[Meta Games]] that allow players to perceive each other's skills can provide the same kind of display of game mastery. [[Asymmetric Abilities]] and [[Varied Gameplay]] can make people have different types of [[Gameplay Mastery]] in a game as well as make [[Gameplay Mastery]] of the game as a whole require many different types of competences. [[Levels]] can accomplish the same thing by having varying types of challenges between [[Levels]] and also through supporting [[Smooth Learning Curves]]. [[Rewards]] is a way for a game to explicitly show that a player has displayed some type of [[Gameplay Mastery]] while handling [[Penalties]] well can be a type of [[Gameplay Mastery]]. [[Illusionary Rewards]] can work like [[Rewards]] in this sense, supporting or motivating players to develop their gameplay, while giving players [[Engrossment]] simply makes players more likely to become better at a game because they are more likely to playing it more. 

Several design features in a game can work against [[Gameplay Mastery]]. Many of them do this by limiting the effects of player skills, e.g. [[Auto-Aim]], [[Balancing Effects]], and [[Randomness]] (and thereby [[Luck]]). This category of design features also includes ways of easing player challenges by making the game itself help, e.g. through [[Player Augmentations]], [[Vision Modes]], and [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] when [[Characters]] have [[Character Development]]. [[Purchasable Game Advantages]] also works against [[Gameplay Mastery]] since one player can get the same progress, [[Game Items]], etc. through paying as another can through his or her [[Gameplay Mastery]]. [[Clickability]] removes explorative aspects of gameplay which may work against a certain type of [[Gameplay Mastery]] in a game but can also focus what is the actual skills needed in a game by removing the exploratory aspect. 

==== Narration Aspects ====
A part of having [[Gameplay Mastery]] often requires players to have a systemic understanding of a game. This makes it difficult to not reduce diegetic representations of people to their functions and mechanical behaviors. Due to this, players may have difficulties getting [[Emotional Engrossment]] with [[Algorithmic Agents]] if they have [[Gameplay Mastery]].

== Consequences ==
Allowing players to feel [[Gameplay Mastery]] or at least see that they can have it in the future can have several consequences for a game. It can give players [[Emotional Engrossment]] and a sense of [[Empowerment]] and [[Player Agency]], and provide [[Value of Effort]] when players experience having it. In general, it provides [[Replayability]] to a game since players may wish to play the game many times to reach [[Gameplay Mastery]]. A negative effect of [[Gameplay Mastery]] is that players that have it can lead to games having a [[Predictable Winner]]. 

Having [[Gameplay Mastery]] can be a [[Social Rewards|Social Reward]] if others can notice it and can support [[Actor Detachment]]. For games with [[Cooperation]] and different possible roles for players to take, [[Gameplay Mastery]] can lead to [[Role Fulfillment]] and through this fulfilling [[Social Roles]] and making [[Team Development]] happen. In all games with other players, the presence of [[Gameplay Mastery]] affects the [[Performance Uncertainty]] of skilled players and can ruin an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] among those not skilled that observe them. 

The ability of players to have [[Gameplay Mastery]] affects [[Player/Character Skill Composites]], so games with this patterns need to take into consideration how [[Gameplay Mastery]] will affect it as at an extreme it may make the [[Characters|Character]] aspect unimportant and may make it difficult to have mechanics that create [[Player Balance]].

== Relations ==
=== Can Instantiate ===
[[Actor Detachment]], 
[[Emotional Engrossment]], 
[[Empowerment]], 
[[Player Agency]], 
[[Predictable Winner]], 
[[Social Roles]], 
[[Replayability]], 
[[Role Fulfillment]], 
[[Social Rewards]], 
[[Team Development]], 
[[Value of Effort]] 

=== Can Modulate ===
[[Middlegame]], 
[[Performance Uncertainty]], 
[[Player/Character Skill Composites]]

=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
[[Achievements]], 
[[Betting]], 
[[Bluffing]], 
[[Challenging Gameplay]], 
[[Competence Areas]], 
[[Complex Gameplay]], 
[[Construction/Scoring Phase Shift]], 
[[Collaborative Actions]], 
[[Deck Building]], 
[[Dexterity-Based Actions]], 
[[Difficulty Levels]], 
[[Dominant Strategies]], 
[[Enactment]], 
[[Experimenting]], 
[[Extended Actions]], 
[[Flip-Flop Events]], 
[[FUBAR Enjoyment]], 
[[Further Player Improvement Potential]], 
[[Limited Resources]], 
[[Memorizing]], 
[[Multiplayer Games]], 
[[Negotiation]], 
[[Obstacles]], 
[[Overcome]], 
[[Paper-Rock-Scissors]], 
[[Penalties]], 
[[Perceivable Margins]], 
[[Player Physical Prowess]], 
[[Player Unpredictability]], 
[[Pre-Customized Decks]], 
[[Predefined Goals]], 
[[Predictable Consequences]], 
[[Puzzle Solving]], 
[[Real World Knowledge Advantages]], 
[[Resource Management]], 
[[Rhythm-Based Actions]], 
[[Risk/Reward]], 
[[Seamful Gameplay]], 
[[Sidegrades]], 
[[Smooth Learning Curves]], 
[[Social Skills]], 
[[Speedending]], 
[[Speedruns]], 
[[Stimulated Planning]], 
[[Storytelling]], 
[[Strategic Knowledge]], 
[[Tactical Planning]], 
[[Timing]], 
[[Trade-Offs]], 
[[Trans-Game Information]], 
[[Vehicles]] 

[[AI Players]] together with [[Difficulty Levels]]

[[Anonymous Actions]] together with [[Roleplaying]] 

[[Combos]] together with [[Challenging Gameplay]] or [[Complex Gameplay]]

[[Construction]] together with with [[Combos]] or [[Emergent Gameplay]]

=== Can Be Modulated By ===
[[Asymmetric Abilities]], 
[[Clickability]], 
[[Engrossment]], 
[[Excluding Goals]], 
[[Goal Achievements]], 
[[Handicap Achievements]], 
[[High Score Lists]], 
[[Illusionary Rewards]], 
[[Levels]], 
[[Meta Games]], 
[[Multiplayer Games]], 
[[Player Balance]], 
[[Public Player Statistics]], 
[[Red Queen Dilemmas]], 
[[Repetitive Gameplay]], 
[[Rewards]], 
[[Spectators]], 
[[Symmetry]], 
[[Tournaments]], 
[[Uncertainty of Outcome]], 
[[Varied Gameplay]] 

[[Repeat Combos]] together with [[Goal Achievements]] or [[Spectators]]

=== Possible Closure Effects ===
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=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
[[Auto-Aim]], 
[[Balancing Effects]], 
[[Card Building]], 
[[Challenging Gameplay]], 
[[Difficulty Levels]], 
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], 
[[Freedom of Choice]], 
[[Luck]], 
[[Player Augmentations]], 
[[Player/Character Skill Composites]], 
[[Purchasable Game Advantages]], 
[[Randomness]], 
[[Vision Modes]] 

[[Emotional Engrossment]] in games with [[Algorithmic Agents]]

[[Player/Character Skill Composites]] together with [[Character Development]] or [[Player Balance]]

[[Player Balance]] in [[Multiplayer Games]]

== History ==
An updated version of the pattern ''Gameplay Mastery'' that was part of the original collection in the book ''Patterns in Game Design''<ref name="Bjork & Holopainen 2004"/>.

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="Bjork & Holopainen 2004">Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) ''Patterns in Game Design''. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.</ref>
</references>

== Acknowledgements ==
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