Input Sought: Acting and Interacting in the Game

[AJunkMailBin]

Currently I am working on some high level conceptual modelling for a sand-box that I am making as a hobby project in my part time through Unity. One of the most important elements of such a game is how a player can act within the game universe / interact with other entities.

 

After some significant reading in terms of social, physical and biological interactions, I found very little relevant to my goals. Some game design documents were significantly more helpful, but were generally at too detailed a level - specific to the types of mechanics and not sufficiently broad enough to assist in my efforts. During my investigations so far I have been considering what types of interactions are possible in a gaming environment and was hoping to get some guidance from the Nexus community.

 

I have elected to approach this in terms of considering the potential interactions in our own universe, or the potential gaming universe rather than the programmed representation of those universes. The reason I have decided to approach it in this way is that it is easier for me to comprehend. Using this approach; to my understanding basically there is only really three forms of interaction

 

Interaction by changing Characteristics of an Entity

This involves altering the entity directly by changing it's characteristics; in many ways this could be considered the most simple and easily recognisable form of interaction. Examples include picking up a cup; flipping a switch; inflicting a debuff on an enemy. This relies on clearly establishing potential categories of characteristics of entities and method of change.

 

Interaction by changing Connected Entities

This involves altering the entity indirectly by changing physical and logical relationships; this is often the intended result of the previous form. Examples include water sloshing in a cup you pick up; lights turning off when a switch is flipped; a second enemy being altered when their ally is debuffed. This relies on clearly establishing potential categories of interfaces of entities and method of change propagation.

 

Interaction by changing Conditions

This involves altering the entity indirectly by changing the conditions in which entities are present or have some form of interface; this often acts to trigger changes in characteristics. Examples include increasing the viscosity of 'water' to try and prevent the water sloshing out of the cup; the inhibition of light reflection to assist in limiting the visibility of objects; the creation of a vacuum at a location to prevent sound from reaching the ears of another character. This relies on clearly establishing potential categories of interfaces of metaphysical effects and method of manifestation. To be honest, this is likely to be largely leveraged through the use of a competent physics engine, with adjustments to account for game universe specific metaphysics (such as how the science of 'magic' might function).

 

 

 

While I have been attempting to model interactions in different ways (including Inherent interactions/Action Capabilities, Passively / Actively triggered, Focused on a Subject/Unfocused, Performance/Suppression of an action, Attempt/Execution of an Action) I am keen to obtain input from a wider audience.

 

So I suppose my query is this: What sort of actions and interactions are possible? What do you WANT to be able to do in a game - whether as a humanoid character or as something completely different (such as a horse, a slime or a cloud)?

 

For the PC thread I am particularly interested in your perceptions given the flexibility you have in input mechanisms within an environment with a relatively strong ability to use modding (and therefore a game which is more customisable to the experience you desire).

Edited January 8, 2016 by AJunkMailBin

[mrland]

"A game which is more customisable to the experience you desire" I like your verses