Time! ...in games

Summary

The video explores the multifaceted role of time in games, from timers and day/night cycles to calendar systems and time-manipulating characters. It examines how mechanics like Overwatch overtime, Atlas in Paladins, and Tracer or Ekko in League of Legends creatively use time to build tension, strategy, and player engagement. Single-player examples like Majora’s Mask, Persona, and Rune King illustrate time as a narrative and strategic tool, while multiplayer implementations highlight the challenges and innovations of integrating time control. Overall, the discussion celebrates inventive ways time enhances gameplay, immersion, and meaningful player experiences across genres.

Takeaways

• 🕹️ Creative time manipulation in multiplayer games, like slows or stuns, can enhance gameplay when given unique twists rather than being simple effects.
• ⚡ Atlas’ banish ability is an example of a time-based mechanic that feels more interesting than a standard stun.
• ⏳ Simple time slows or stuns are considered boring compared to innovative methods of manipulating time in fighting games.
• 🎮 Implementing time powers in multiplayer games is challenging due to balance issues and limitations on predicting or altering future events.
• 📅 Calendar systems in games, like in Persona and Stardew Valley, add immersion by making the passage of time meaningful through events and activities.
• 📝 Fire Emblem: Three Houses uses a calendar system, but its impact is less engaging because most days progress automatically with limited player interaction.
• 📊 Visible timelines in RPGs, such as Rune King, allow players to plan turns strategically by advancing allies or delaying enemies, enhancing tactical depth.
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• 🎭 Game designers must carefully integrate time systems to ensure they feel meaningful rather than simply mimicking mechanics from other games.
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• ⏲️ Time in games reflects universal human experiences, from waiting to performing actions, giving designers a broad canvas for creative implementation.
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• 💡 Stretching the definition of time, from combat timelines to calendar systems, can result in richer, more interactive gameplay experiences.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme is exploring the concept of time in video games, examining how it functions as a mechanic, a resource, and an immersive element across single-player and multiplayer games.

How do timers function as a gameplay mechanic?

Timers create tension, urgency, and challenge by limiting the time available for tasks or rounds. Examples include Persona 5 boss fights, Stardew Valley's character cutoffs, and competitive multiplayer games like CSO and Valorant.

What is the purpose of overtime mechanics in multiplayer games?

Overtime mechanics, used in games like Overwatch and Marvel Rivals, extend the tension at the end of rounds by adding an additional countdown while objectives are contested, amplifying player engagement and the sense of urgency.

How do day-night cycles and calendar systems enhance gameplay?

Day-night cycles and calendar systems add immersion, realism, and scheduling mechanics. They influence events, quests, and interactions, as seen in Stardew Valley, Persona series, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

What is time manipulation in video games, and which games exemplify it?

Time manipulation allows players to alter the flow of time, such as rewinding, looping, or pausing actions. Examples include Majora's Mask (3-day cycles), Death Loop and 12 Minutes (time loops), and Chrono Trigger (time travel).

How is time manipulation implemented in multiplayer games?

In multiplayer games, time manipulation is restricted to ensure balance. Examples include Tracer's 3-second recall in Overwatch, Paradox's bullet-time in Deadlock, Atlas's rewinds in Paladins, and 2xKO Ekko's time slows in League of Legends.

Why are simple slow or stun effects considered less interesting for time-based characters?

Simple slows or stuns under the guise of time powers are seen as less engaging because they don't provide unique strategic depth or creative interaction, unlike more innovative implementations like bullet-time, banishing enemies, or freezing them temporarily.

What role do timelines play in turn-based RPGs?

Timelines in turn-based RPGs, like Rune King, allow players to plan and influence the order of actions. Players can delay enemy turns or advance ally turns, adding strategic depth and rewarding foresight.

How does the effectiveness of calendar systems vary between games?

Calendar systems work best when integrated meaningfully into gameplay. In Persona, events and enemy states change with days, enhancing immersion. In Fire Emblem: Three Houses, limited playable days make the calendar less impactful despite adding structure.

What general design insights about time in games does the script highlight?

Successful time mechanics balance tension, player agency, and meaningful consequences. Creativity in implementation elevates standard effects, and time-based systems must integrate with core gameplay to be satisfying rather than purely aesthetic.

How do single-player and multiplayer implementations of time differ?

Single-player games have more freedom for time mechanics like loops, rewinds, or time travel. Multiplayer implementations require limitations to maintain fairness, often restricting manipulation to the player's own actions or providing creative effects that affect both players strategically.

Why is Atlas from Paladins considered a standout time-based character?

Atlas is praised for his time manipulation affecting both himself and enemies creatively. His rewind mechanic provides self-sustain, enemy disruption, and strategic utility, while his ultimate banishes enemies temporarily, offering a unique twist compared to standard stuns.