Get into the System!

1. Creating mods (modifications) to existing games is a common practice, not just for computer games, but for any form of games. Does this imply that any game can be considered a game system? Why/why not?

To answer this question, let us think of the simplest game that one can think of... tic-tac-toe. The objective of the game.. connect 3 in a row. So how many modifications can one make to this game? Maybe you can carve it on rocks, trees, use 3d graphics.. but the game will remain the same. But is tic-tac-toe a game system? Depends really, on how we define a 'system'.
From dictionary.com:
A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole.

Ok, so the elements of tic-tac-toe would be cross, knot and the hex grid. These are definitely game elements as they do not have any meaning outside the game of tic-tac-toe. They are interacting within the hex grid, related due to the fact that they are direct opposites of each other and they form the system known as a game of tic-tac-toe.

Wait a min... I can modify the game such that I do not use crosses and knots... but other things such and rock and paper, turtle and hare... just about anything. But the tic-tac-toe system would remain. Hmm... so hence it is somehow true that any game can be a game system? Since virtually even the simplest of game can be modified?

I just thought of this game called the 'staring game'. The objective is to stare at your opponent until someone else blinks. So is there any other way to play this game? Any ways to modify? Pretty much limited. Even golf games.. it may be true that it's played under close system, but the weather itself I feel modify certain elements of the game. If golf is played on a wet ground, the golfer would probably need to adopt a different strategy to tackle the situation.

Some is the staring game a game system? Hmm, main element of the game would be... eyes? I have perhaps discovered a game even simpler than tic-tac-toe!


2. Consider a game which you feel could be successfully modified. How could this game be generalized into a game system? How much of the unique character/flavour of the game can be retained? How generic can you make the game system? How easy will it be to create new, unique games from the game system?

For this question, warcraft 3 instantly came to mind. From the ever popular DOTA to the numerous 'tower games' in battlenet, WC3 is one of those games where mods are infinitely possible. It is best to look at the game system within the WC3 editor, where all the elements are clearly defined.

So we have the basics.. terrain, playable characters, NPCs, spells, items, structures... that's about the main elements of the game. One simple way to see this as a game system is that all these elements can be 'strategically placed' to make up a real time strategy game.

One things about the elements is that they are not fixed, one can give them various properties.. for eg, the dwarf, which is traditionally a non-magical character, can become a powerful wizard. (Or in DOTA, become zeus!) The towers in WC3 take centre stage when it comes to playing tower games.

So how easy to make completely new games? Take the elements, create a new map, mix them up and you get a new game with new objectives...

But yet one would still feel they are playing a WC3 game... well, asthetics wise it will always remind players they are playing the WC3 game, unlike games like counterstrike which is modified based on game engine rather than game asthetics. All in all... players and designers still got to work within the constraints of the Editor, and thus still bounded by rules as defined in the game.



3. Describe one new game designed on top of the game system you proposed in question 2.

Well, the ever popular DOTA is one game designed which is radically different from the main strategy game. Here the emphasis is on the 'heroes' inside WC3 where you control one single character instead of a horde.

Your character together with other player controlled character will try to push towards the enemies' zone and eventually finish off the vital installations of the base. Actually this gameplay is similar to the normal WC3 games, but the experience of having to control one instead of many differs. Here one can feel that YOU are the character, you and the character are heading as one. But in the normal way of playing, you are just the omniscent being controlling an army. The experience is more of an overseer than an transpresence into the game world. Yet this does not necessarily means one don't get immersed when playing normal WC games.