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Edutainment
[MISC] A genre classification used for commercial purposes. Does
not necessarily represent a taxonomy class. Edutainment is a combination
of a game and an educational program, such as MathBlaster or the
Carmen San Diego series.
Engine
[TR82] A design element of a computer game. A subset of the program
(computer) that manipulates one or more models. (See “Model [TR82]").
Event-based
moves
[MISC] Moves are determined by events that can occur anytime.
Exploration
(of the game)
[RB99] A motivation factor or aspect of enjoyment in participation
in MUDs. Players try t ofind out as much as they can about the
virtual world. Although initially this means mapping its topology
(i.e., exploring the MUD’s breadth), later it advances to experimentation
with its physics (i.e., exploring the MUD’s depth) Also see Achievement,
Socializing and Imposition as alternative motivators.
Explorer
[RB99] A type of game player based upon the kind of action or
mode of play this person enjoys or gravitates to in a game. This
type of player delights in having the game expose its internal
machinations to them. They try progressively esoteric actions
in wild, out-of-the-way places, looking for interesting features
(ie., bugs) and figuring out how things work. Scoring points may
be necessary to enter some next phase of exploration, but it’s
tedious and anyone with half a brain can do it. Killing is quicker,
and might be a constructive exercise in its own right, but it
causes too much hassle in the long run if the deceased return
to seek retribution. Socializing can be informative as a source
of new ideas to try out, but most of what people say is irrelevant
and old hat. The real fun comes only from discovery, and making
the most complete set of maps in existence. Also see “Exporation
[RB99].” See Achiever, Socializer and Killer as alternative types
of players.
Extended
Improvisation – EI
[JM99] A form of drama with no prepared script, only a character
concept. Quite possibly the missing link between roleplaying and
the other arts. (Role Playing Games term)
Emanata
[JM99] Originally coined by Mort Walker (Lexicon of Comicana)
to describe the graphic devices used by cartoonists to describe
"what is going on inside" their characters. In role-playing games,
emanata may include: suspending play so that a player may describe
what their character is thinking/feeling; having players keep
journals or diaries in-character; having an NPC confidant draw
the character out in private (eg. a priest/confessor); or simply
good acting (for those players who have the appropriate skills).
(Role Playing Games term)
Emergent
Properties
[JM99] Properties of a complex object that could not be predicted
from its component parts. Classic examples given in Psychology
include: systems specialised for the four "F"s (feeding, fighting,
fleeing, mating) arising from neuronal on-off switches; qualities
such as altruism, creativity and sadism arising from systems specialised
for the four "F"s; the mob mentality or "groupthink" effect arising
from any collection of otherwise rational people, from football
fans to executive boards. (Role Playing Games term)
Events
[RD99] Modifications to the story line of the (game) as play continues.
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