Task Deployment in Three Types of Game Spatial Structures

Task deployment, a major aspect of level design, is used to control player progress in video games. This chapter takes a look at task deployment with a special focus on spatial structures in terms of system architecture and program code, especially those structures and mechanisms that support a balance of player skills and challenges so as to sustain flow. It analyzes tasks associated with puzzles, quests, and challenges in terms of their spatial structures and mechanisms that players use to sustain flow. The chapter discusses how factors such as storylines, resource allocation, and reward systems are incorporated into game spatial structures to provide coherent gaming experiences. Spatial structures are categorized as ladder, maze, and grid for the discussion of links between game genres and design principles. The chapter also introduces a hierarchical architecture for hybrid games that represents combinations of these game types-currently a mainstream practice in game markets.