thread: 2011-05-17 : Game Design vs Mere Instructions
On 2011-05-28, Zac in Virgnia wrote:
Simon,
I don't think the rule vs. permission distinction is useful, here, especially since "rule" has such strong connotations already in role playing games. At least, it's not taxonomically useful.
Vincent describes it above as permission vs. expectation, which I think is more explicit.
I think your example works, but I'm gonna go and try to think up examples from specific games.
Also - I'm thinking that this is less about a one-to-one ratio of behaviors to game rules, and more about how the overall course of play affects you, enables you/compels you to act in ways you normally wouldn't.
This also fits snugly with the "unwelcome outcome" stuff Vincent's been talking about - if behavioral mods are the player-side of things, unwelcome outcomes are the mechanical side of things.
