Reading 5

Lock-and-Key Mechanisms.

The impact of progression mechanics on gaming has been shown to be popular although to make the game intriguing and playable you must make the game unpredictable. Research has shown us that unlocking mechanisms is the most popular type of progression mechanic. Lock-and-key mechanisms are more common in games than actual locks and keys (according to Joris Dormans; Ernest Adams), the lock-and-key mechanisms could be characterised as something else - such as a power up for the player, switches etc. When creating your game, because gameplay is created by mechanics, the creator must design lock and key mechanism that interact/are based upon the game's core mechanics. Using permanent abilities can create difficulty for the player, therefore you must be careful when creating a single key that is used for multiple locks as you could unintentionally create unwanted shortcuts. When designing the game, you must plan how you will display the locked areas clearly - this will help the player go in the direction you wish them to, rather than going in the direction they feel is right or may be shorter. A great way to plan your lock-and-key mechanisms is by using a Machinations Diagrams to represent it.

Figure 1.1 - Mechinations Diagram.

In Figure 1.1 example of a Mechinations Diagram, we are shown the bow and arrow in The Legend of Zelda combines a regular key (the bow) and a consumable skill key (the arrows) mechanism. The bow and arrow are used to open doors by using the bow to shoot the distant switches. Almost all the games and levels in the Legend of Zelda series are good examples of games of progression.