Game System Breakdown – Connections

Connections refer to the mutual influence between elements and elements, as well as between player actions and elements.

This mutual influence links various elements in the game, forming a network of relationships. The most common types of connections in games include causal and transformational relationships.

In a causal connection, one element acts as the cause, while the other element is the result. For example, in Landlord, the player with the “landlord” identity can receive the last three cards from the deck, forming a causal connection between the “landlord identity” and the “last three cards”. The “landlord identity” is the cause, and the “last three cards” are the result.

Another example is when the player reveals their cards, which causes the score for the current round to double. In this case, the “revealing of cards” is the cause, and “doubling the score” is the result. In video games, common causal relationships include: the player pressing the jump button, causing the character to jump; the player being unable to open a door because they don’t have a key; the player entering a certain area, triggering an event, etc.

In a transformational connection, obtaining one element is accompanied by the consumption of another element. The consumed element is usually a limited resource. In Landlord, during the card drawing phase, players draw cards from the deck to form their hand. The “cards from the deck” are transformed into “the hand”. In video games, limited resources often include currency, current magic points, consumables, and so on. For example, players spend coins to purchase weapons and items; players consume magic points to cast spells; players use potions to restore health, etc.

Sometimes, a single event can contain multiple types of connections. For instance, when a player casts a spell to deal damage to an enemy, the player’s consumption of magic points to cast the spell is a transformational connection; the spell hitting the enemy and dealing damage is a causal connection; after the enemy takes damage, their health is reduced based on magic resistance and shields, which is another transformational connection.