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Some games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. A game is a structured activity, usually undertaken for Enjoyment and sometimes also used as an Educational tool Paranormal is an Umbrella term used to describe unusual Phenomena or experiences that lack an obvious Scientific explanation These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed. A "game designer" is a person who designs Video games or one who designs traditional games such as Board games Video Games Designer A video game designer The rules can also be designed to balance the game play for the players, so as to not give any one participant an unfair advantage. A player of a Game is a participant therein The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in Game theory and in ordinary recreational Games
Typically magic is portrayed by a set of spells, each of which consists of a listing of the game effects and limitations. The game-spells are often grouped into sub-categories by common themes, so as to limit access and to provide context. These spell themes are typically given designations such as Order, College, School, or Domain. They are often characterized by a common effect, such as Fire, Healing, or Protection.
The spells may have a set of prerequisites (usually given a name like "components" or "reagents") that must be satisfied during the course of game play before the spell can be activated. A reagent or reactant is a substance or compound consumed during a Chemical reaction. The spell listing will also include restrictions on the time, range, and target location, which are listed in the units of measurement employed within the game. Finally the spell description will list the effects upon the game state. Because the effects of magic upon the game world are systematic, predictable, repeatable and quantifiable (with the exception of a few games like Mage: The Ascension), magic in games can be seen as a form of science. Mage The Ascension is a Role-playing game based in the old World of Darkness, and was published by White Wolf Game Studio. Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding
Magic can also be portrayed within a game through the special capabilities of game-based objects, locations, individuals, and even mythological creatures. A legendary creature is a mythological or folkloric creature (often known as "fabulous creatures" in historical literature Each of these will have their own set of rules describing the game effects of their abilities. Usually these rules will be similar in form and function to the rules for portraying spells.
The most likely game type to include rules for magic are in the fantasy genre. Fantasy is a Genre that uses magic and other Supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting A genre (ˈʒɑːnrə also /ˈdʒɑːnrə/ from French "kind" or "sort" from Latin: genus (stem gener-) is a loose set However such rules can also be used in the horror and science fiction genres. Horror fiction is broadly Fiction in any medium intended to scare unsettle or horrify the audience
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Spell systems
Characters within a game that includes rules for magic are commonly able to acquire the use of spells through some process. Usually this will either be a spell that the character has created; a spell gained from a book or other record; another in-game character that is willing to share the knowledge, or from a mysterious in-game source to whom the character has formed an allegiance.
There are several common approaches for balancing and restricting the use of spells within a game system.
- Memorization — The game character must memorize a fixed number of spells from the list of all spells the character knows. This memorization can only occur once in a specified time period, usually a day, or it may require the character to rest for several hours. This system is sometimes called "Vancian" in the game designer community, since its first use, in Dungeons & Dragons, was inspired by the way magic works in Jack Vance's Dying Earth world. A "game designer" is a person who designs Video games or one who designs traditional games such as Board games Video Games Designer A video game designer John Holbrook Vance (born August 28, 1916 in San Francisco, The Dying Earth is a series of Fantasy Fixups (novels created from older short stories by American author Jack Vance. [1][2]
- Point-based — The character has a limited number of points, often called mana (or spell points in MUDs), that can be spent to activate spells. Magic points ( MP; also called mana) are units of magical power that are used in many role-playing, computer role-playing and similar games Mana is the concept of an impersonal force or quality that resides in people animals and inanimate objects In computer gaming, a MUD ( Multi-User Dungeon, Domain or Dimension) is a multi-player computer game that combines elements of Each spell the character knows has a point cost. The points are periodically renewed through some means; usually by the passage of time. This is also used in Dungeons & Dragons, but only for Psionic manifesters, and as a variant rule for spellcasters. Psionics, in Role-playing games is a broad category of fantastic abilities originating from the mind similar to the Paranormal psionic abilities that some Warhammer players must expend a number of dice when casting spells, and each die contributes 1-6 points to the spell's activation cost. The points usually represent some kind of magical energy, though they may also represent physical or mental fatigue caused by the exertion required to cast spells; some systems therefore deplete hit points (or the equivalent) rather than having a separate pool of magic points. Health is a Game mechanic used in computer and Video games to give value to characters, enemies NPCs, and related objects
- As Powers — The character has a magic ability that can be simply defined as a magic power, or as magical in origin. When a magical ability has no restrictions (no need for a skill, no need to spend power points, no need to memorize, etc. ) or when it has a simple mechanic (ex: just roll to attack), it can be define as magic power. For example, if a character has the ability to breathe fire with no restrictions this ability can be called a Fire Breathing Power. This approach to magic is closest to comic book characters who don't seem to be restricted as much as classical fantasy characters.
- Skill-based — The character has a skill rating that defines the chance that a spell will be successfully activated. A skill is the learned capacity or talent to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time energy or both. Probability is the likelihood or chance that something is the case or will happen Failure has some type of consequence, such as personal injury or increased fatigue of the in-game character.
There are also some game systems that provide greater flexibility in the use of magic. These include rules for producing spells that are made up as needed, subject to the game rules and limitations. Examples of such systems include Ars Magica, Mage: The Ascension and Mage: The Awakening. Ars Magica is also the title of a book by Judith Tarr. Ars Magica is a Role-playing game set in Mythic Europe Mage The Ascension is a Role-playing game based in the old World of Darkness, and was published by White Wolf Game Studio. Mage The Awakening is a Role-playing game developed by White Wolf Inc
Magical objects
Many game systems include rules for simulating objects that have intrinsic magical properties. The accumulation and use of such objects can be a significant component of games in the fantasy genre, and they serve a balancing role in long-duration games of escalating difficulty. These objects are carefully balanced by the designer, both by restricting how often they can be put into play and by limiting their capabilities.
There are several common techniques for controlling access to objects used within a game.
- Expendable — Objects such as a potion or a spell scroll can typically only be used once before they are expended.
- Charged — Some objects can possess multiple uses, but each use expends one or more charges. Once the charges are expended the object becomes inert, but a character of great power may be able to recharge it. Other items disintegrate when they run out of charges.
- Periodic — An object can have magical powers that can only be used a fixed number of times within a given period. Typically the period used is a day, a week, or a month in game terms.
- Restricted — An object could work only under certain conditions, such as a particular location or when a certain type of target is chosen. It might work for only certain categories of beings, such as characters with specific skills, moral ethos, or a particular in-game race or gender. Ethos (ˈiːθɒs (grc ἦθος ἔθος plurals ethe (ἤθη ethea (ἤθεα is a Greek word originally meaning "accustomed
- Random — A specific item may have some magical ability that only works part of the time. This usually applies to weapons as a special attack, similar to a critical hit.
- Slot — Many magical objects must be worn or carried. These take up a "slot" on the body that prevents use of other magic objects that require the same slot.
- Faulty — The object might not always work as intended, and it can have unpredictable effects when it malfunctions.
- Skill use — An object can provide a magical benefit that only operates when the owner employs a particular skill successfully.
- Cursed — An object can be cursed, and have a negative impact on the character that acquired it. Typically such objects are disguised as a beneficial item until they are placed into use. Often, a cursed item cannot be easily removed from the owner's possession once it is revealed to be cursed. In some games, cursed weapons/armor are much more powerful than normal weapons/armor, but have a drawback such as losing health or canceling actions.
An object can have multiple magical properties, each of which can be limited in a different manner. Thus a magical staff could have a fixed number of charges that can be spent to create a "blinding flash of light"; be able to provide "magical illumination" for several hours each day, and possess a permanent ability to "glow in warning" whenever it comes near a poisonous plant or animal. This staff must be held in both hands for the magic to "work", thus using up the hand "slots". It may also only operate for a character that also knows how to produce certain types of spells.
A few rare magical objects possess an innate "intelligence" and personality, thus becoming a non-player character in the game. A non-player character, often shortened to NPC, is a character that is controlled by the Gamemaster in Role-playing games or one that is not This concept is similar in some respects to an intelligent robot in a science fiction game or story, although the entity within the object is usually portrayed as more mystical in nature. A robot is a mechanical or Virtual Artificial agent In practice it is usually an electro-mechanical system which by its appearance or movements Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity The character that wants to employ the object must then interact with the intelligence and find a means to persuade it to cooperate.
Some game systems place a heavy emphasis on giving a magical object a well-developed history and unique characteristics. History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology This is usually done to provide depth to the story being told by the game, and to make the "magic" seem less technological and more mysterious. Technology is a broad concept that deals with a Species ' usage and knowledge of Tools and Crafts and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt Another technique for maintaining the mystery is to hide the abilities of the magical object from the characters that find it. The characters must then "identify" the magical abilities, either by putting the object into use or by consulting an expert in magical lore. Some game system also include spells that can be used to identify the abilities.
Footnotes
- ^ Vancian. Retrieved on 2007-02-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable
- ^ DeVarque, Aardy. Literary Sources of D&D. Retrieved on 2007-02-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable
See also
Magic in Fiction is the endowing of Fictional characters or objects with magical powers.Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic