Proximity

Mechanism · III – Space & Position immediate · reversible · open · competitive

Proximity makes nearness or distance interaction-relevant: the relative position of two Entities produces bonuses, penalties, blocks or influence via a distance rule.

Design question – How do nearness and distance influence the interactions between Entities in your game?

Reference example – Catan: the distance rule – at least one intersection must stay free between two settlements. Among Us: only those close enough can kill – or report a body. Football: at free kicks the wall keeps 9.15 metres away. Brass Birmingham (Network Building) · Suburbia (Adjacency Bonus) · Twilight Imperium (Zone of Control)

Structural pattern

Input -> transformation -> output: the relative position of two Entities becomes an interaction effect (bonus, penalty, block, influence) via a distance rule.

Regulated mainly in conditioning mode (proximity or distance triggers effects: bonuses when close, protection at a distance, chain effects; strength decreases with distance) and constraining mode (minimum distance; maximum reach of an effect). In a game, what counts as close (adjacent, within a radius, in line of sight) and the distances become specifications.

Design parameters

• Distance function – binary (adjacent yes/no) ↔ gradual (gradation)
• Effect type – bonus ↔ block/trigger
• Direction – omnidirectional ↔ directional
• Range – directly adjacent ↔ long-range effect
• Dynamics – static ↔ changeable through movement

Related Mechanisms

• Placement (MEC-10) – Frequently combined: position determines nearness.
• Scoring (MEC-09) – Frequently combined: score adjacency.
• Transit (MEC-12) – Frequently combined: change distance.
• Enclosure (MEC-11) – Frequently combined: proximity as a means of control.

Ludic Organisational Structures

Network / Infrastructure (core) · Territory · Combat System · Ecosystem · Exploration System (dynamic)