Value Based

Ludic Temporal Structure termination · value_based

The process ends when a defined value is reached – a highest value (victory points), a critical threshold (life points at zero) or a target value (exactly 0 in darts). The termination is quantitative and measurable by the game; the visibility of the progress is a design decision.

Design question – Does your game end when a certain value is reached – and do players know how close they are to the end?

Reference example – Darts: the game only ends at exactly zero points. Street Fighter: when the health bar drops to zero, the round is over. UNO: over several rounds, whoever first reaches 500 points wins.

Compatible with

• Crescendo (DU-01) – Approaching the goal heightens the tension.
• Spiral (DU-05) – Accelerated point development.
• Wave (DU-02) – Scoring and build-up phases alternate.
• Hero’s Journey (NA-02) – A defined goal, the path is the story.