Game Outcome

The goal of a game is to produce a measurable outcome.

Game Outcome

• Many games have a measurable outcome and the results are unequal – there will be winners and losers.

• Massively multiplayer online worlds do not have the concept of a winner.

• Simulation games may not have a predetermined win condition.

• Games without winners reward players in other ways.

Game Outcome

• For most games, producing a winner or winners is the end goal.

• At defined intervals either the players (or the system in digital games), checks to see if a winning state has been achieved.

• If a winning state has been achieved, gameplay is resolved and the game is over.

Game Outcome

Ways to Determine Outcome

• The structure of the final outcome will always be related to both the player interaction patterns and the objectives of the game.

• Single Player vs Single Player – the player may either win or lose, or the player may score a certain amount of points before ultimately losing (Solitaire and Pinball).

Outcome: Zero-Sum

• Some games define its objective based on capture. Chess does not have a scoring system, the game is won or by meeting the primary objective, capturing the king.

• Chess is an example of a “Zero-Sum” game, we count a win a +1 and a loss as a -1, the sum of any outcome is “ZERO”. No matter which player wins, the sum is always zero.

Outcome: Non Zero-Sum

• Non-zero sum games are more complex to analyse• Games other than Zero-Sum systems create outcome

without cutthroat competition. These game might use any of the following to achieve an outcome:– Ranking system– Statistics– Multiple objectives

• Players usually have preferences for a specific type of game outcome:– Social Game vs Sporting Event– Single Player vs Massively Multiplayer Online FPs

The Prisoners' Dilemma: Non Zero-Sum Game

• The dilemma is based around the following scenario. Two people are arrested and placed in separate rooms. Each is questioned and faces the following options. – They can either confess to the crime or stay silent. They are each fully aware

of the consequences of their action which is represented in the matrix below.

• Lets look at the possible outcomes– If I confess and you do choose to stay silent, I go free but you get 20

years in jail. – If I confess and you also confess, we both get 5 years in jail – If I stay silent but you confess, I get 20 years in jail but you go free – If I stay silent and so do you, we each get 1 year in jail

Suspect 2

Suspect 1

  Confess Stay Silent

Confess5 yrs; 5

yrsFree; 20 yrs

Stay Silent

20 yrs; Free

1 yr; 1 yr

The Prisoners' Dilemma: Non Zero-Sum Game

• Game has risk but no optional solution. – Stay silent - 50% chance 1 year but equally and risk of jail for 20

years. – Confess - 50% chance of going free or receiving 5 years in jail.

• It is assumed there is no cooperation between players. – Players would least like - 20 years in jail. – 5 years is preferable to 20 years but not as preferable as 1 year.

• Given this logic –– best option is to confess -50% chance of going free or facing 5

years in jail. – Stay silent - 50% of jail for 20 years!

Suspect 2

Suspect 1

  Confess Stay Silent

Confess5 yrs; 5 yrs

Free; 20 yrs

Stay Silent20 yrs; Free

1 yr; 1 yr

Activity

• Create two quick card games– zero sum game

– Non zero sum game

• Create a PPT slide for each game and explain basically how to play and why it is a zero or non zero sum game.