Game without a player. Zero Player Game
This topic was written for the Sandbox. Having received the invite, the topic was removed, and from the very beginning I wanted to share this review with the public, so I post it for those who don’t go to the Sandbox and, to some extent, for themselves. If this is not accepted, I will remove it. So ...
I want to draw your attention to the so-called "Zero Player Game" (ZPG). These are games in which human participation in the gameplay is not required. That is, a person participates only in the creation of the character, and then can not influence the gameplay in any way, with a few exceptions.
Why do we need such games? Each gives an answer for himself. Some people like to just watch the character’s development, others just like this, want to join the universe of multiplayer games, others just do not have enough time for “normal”. In this article I want to consider the most popular projects.
1. Russian-speaking project "Godville" . http://godville.net A
browser-based text game written with great humor. The user is represented as a god who follows the hero he created. The hero keeps a diary in which he describes all his actions. When creating a hero, you can specify his name and gender. Then he acts himself.
From time to time, you can say something to the hero, and you can also “do good” or “do bad”. Depending on these actions, the hero will be more aggressive or more “right.” As the level grows, he will have the opportunity to choose his motto and send him to fight with other heroes. All phrases that you said to the ward are randomly broadcast to other players and they evaluate whether they are worthy of “entering the annals of history." The diary text itself is replete with references to famous works and memes, which it is very interesting for a person who understands what it is to read and be happy for the creators.
There is an "encyclopedia" in which at the moment there are about 1000 articles describing the world of Godville.
The game is slightly monetized, but nothing prevents just ignoring this item.
2.Progress Quest.http://www.progressquest.com/
It is considered the founder of this type of games and has existed in one form or another since 2002. To play, you need to download a client of 320 kB under Windows or Ubuntu. Under linux is installed using wine. When choosing a character, you will be randomly asked to choose a race (21 varieties) and a class (18 varieties). The name can be either random or entered by you. Further, again, everything happens only in text mode. The game does not have the wit of a Russian-speaking fellow, therefore it is less interesting for observation. You can play both single and multiplayer. For multiplayer you need an account. The hero himself pumps his characteristics, gets new skills, develops demand.
This is what the main window of the game looks like.
Who wants to watch the development of the character can follow the link. http://progressquest.com/spoltog.php?name=Habrahabra
3.My Brute. http://mybrute.com/
ZPG is a slightly different plan. This is a fighting game. You ask the name of your hero, and that’s all you can influence. It is interesting to observe how, during the typing of a name, the character's appearance changes. If you didn’t like the final version, you can press a special button and choose an acceptable appearance. After creating the character, send him to the arena and enjoy the animated battle. Experience is for both won and lost fights.
When gaining a level, a character (Bruht) has the likelihood of receiving any skill (ability), or weapon, or increasing one of the characteristics. Sometimes when the level rises, Bruet has a pet who fights with you in the arena. Also, the hero receives a certain amount of experience when his “student” - the referral receives level. The high-level fight involving animals can be seen here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gUy95O9WBA
The site hosts tournaments and team fights. At the moment, no more than 6 battles per day can be conducted. The disadvantage of the game is the need to go to the site and click the "Fight" button, as well as the existence of many not entirely honest ways of leveling the character, which sometimes repels newcomers.
Wikipedia says that such games are used to develop “genetic programming” for developing counteraction and survival algorithms through natural selection. However, nothing prevents us from leaning back in our chairs and relaxing, feeling like a demigod, watching the actions of your ward.
I want to draw your attention to the so-called "Zero Player Game" (ZPG). These are games in which human participation in the gameplay is not required. That is, a person participates only in the creation of the character, and then can not influence the gameplay in any way, with a few exceptions.
Why do we need such games? Each gives an answer for himself. Some people like to just watch the character’s development, others just like this, want to join the universe of multiplayer games, others just do not have enough time for “normal”. In this article I want to consider the most popular projects.
1. Russian-speaking project "Godville" . http://godville.net A
browser-based text game written with great humor. The user is represented as a god who follows the hero he created. The hero keeps a diary in which he describes all his actions. When creating a hero, you can specify his name and gender. Then he acts himself.
From time to time, you can say something to the hero, and you can also “do good” or “do bad”. Depending on these actions, the hero will be more aggressive or more “right.” As the level grows, he will have the opportunity to choose his motto and send him to fight with other heroes. All phrases that you said to the ward are randomly broadcast to other players and they evaluate whether they are worthy of “entering the annals of history." The diary text itself is replete with references to famous works and memes, which it is very interesting for a person who understands what it is to read and be happy for the creators.
There is an "encyclopedia" in which at the moment there are about 1000 articles describing the world of Godville.
The game is slightly monetized, but nothing prevents just ignoring this item.
2.Progress Quest.http://www.progressquest.com/
It is considered the founder of this type of games and has existed in one form or another since 2002. To play, you need to download a client of 320 kB under Windows or Ubuntu. Under linux is installed using wine. When choosing a character, you will be randomly asked to choose a race (21 varieties) and a class (18 varieties). The name can be either random or entered by you. Further, again, everything happens only in text mode. The game does not have the wit of a Russian-speaking fellow, therefore it is less interesting for observation. You can play both single and multiplayer. For multiplayer you need an account. The hero himself pumps his characteristics, gets new skills, develops demand.
This is what the main window of the game looks like.
Who wants to watch the development of the character can follow the link. http://progressquest.com/spoltog.php?name=Habrahabra
3.My Brute. http://mybrute.com/
ZPG is a slightly different plan. This is a fighting game. You ask the name of your hero, and that’s all you can influence. It is interesting to observe how, during the typing of a name, the character's appearance changes. If you didn’t like the final version, you can press a special button and choose an acceptable appearance. After creating the character, send him to the arena and enjoy the animated battle. Experience is for both won and lost fights.
When gaining a level, a character (Bruht) has the likelihood of receiving any skill (ability), or weapon, or increasing one of the characteristics. Sometimes when the level rises, Bruet has a pet who fights with you in the arena. Also, the hero receives a certain amount of experience when his “student” - the referral receives level. The high-level fight involving animals can be seen here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gUy95O9WBA
The site hosts tournaments and team fights. At the moment, no more than 6 battles per day can be conducted. The disadvantage of the game is the need to go to the site and click the "Fight" button, as well as the existence of many not entirely honest ways of leveling the character, which sometimes repels newcomers.
Wikipedia says that such games are used to develop “genetic programming” for developing counteraction and survival algorithms through natural selection. However, nothing prevents us from leaning back in our chairs and relaxing, feeling like a demigod, watching the actions of your ward.