Coordination

Mechanism · VIII – Cooperation & Agreement immediate / delayed · conditional · open · cooperative / asymmetric

Coordination aligns the actions of several agents: individual plans become a shared effect through synchronization.

Design question – How do actors in your game align their actions toward a shared goal?

Reference example – Overcooked: chopping, cooking, plating – only in concert does the food go out on time. Pandemic: the roles complement each other; who travels where is planned together. Football: in the offside trap the back line steps up at the same moment. Spirit Island (Cooperative Play) · Hanabi (Limited Communication Co-op) · Dead Of Winter (Semi-Cooperative)

Structural pattern

Input -> transformation -> output: several agents (individual plans) become a coordinated action (shared effect) via an alignment process (synchronization).

Regulated mainly in conditioning mode (what must happen in sync; success yields a bonus, failure a loss, nothing or a reduced return) and constraining mode (restricted communication; time window). In a game, time window and bonus become specifications.

Design parameters

• Communication – free ↔ forbidden
• Symmetry – symmetric (equal roles) ↔ asymmetric (different contributions)
• Commitment – non-binding ↔ binding
• Group size – pair ↔ all agents
• Reward – shared (everyone benefits) ↔ individual
• Risk – low risk ↔ prisoner’s dilemma (betrayal possible)

Related Mechanisms

• Communication (MEC-16) – Frequently combined: verbal coordination.
• Role Assignment (MEC-32) – Frequently combined: coordinate different roles.
• Scoring (MEC-09) – Frequently combined: score the shared goal.
• Negotiation (MEC-26) – Frequently combined: negotiate the terms.

Ludic Organisational Structures

Faction System · Alliance System (core) · Democracy / Voting System · Commons (dynamic)