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 ConfessStay Silent Confess 5 yrs; 5 yrs Free; 20 yrs Stay Silent 20 yrs; Fre e 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 ConfessStay Silent Confess 5 yrs; 5 yrs Free; 20 yrs Stay Silent 20 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.