Arcade Mode Eelke Folmer The player has to wait before it can start playing the game. A simpler interaction may benefit new or inexperienced players A simpler interaction may repel experienced players reducing the amount of interaction may negatively affect gameplay The amount of interaction that a non experienced player can provide varies. Reducing the amount of interaction Automating trivial tasks Action/Simulation/Sports games such as flight simulators, driving or fighting games. These games offer high levels of realism including numerous detailed controls and many settings and decisions that must be made before you can play the game. For example, in an air combat game the player first has to get the plane in the air and fly to the enemy destination before any enemies can be fought. However, the player may enjoy fighting other airplanes more than the steps needed to get to that stage. In addition, driving and fighting games usually offer multiple characters, enemies, vehicles or race tracks. Before the player has any access to these they need to be unlocked first by making progress in the single player campaign by defeating other enemies or finishing particular courses. The player does not want to do this but wants to use any character or drive any car on any track. Offer an Arcade mode. This pattern is a combination of the patterns and/or , but it is offered as a separate mode of gameplay, in addition to the normal/full/quest mode. Arcade mode refers to the style of gameplay found on arcade cabinets. Because arcade machines require you to pay for each game the focus of arcade is more on providing “instant” gameplay rather than more lengthy gameplay which is more suitable on consoles. Arcade mode offers a “simplified” version of the game which only focuses on the essence of the game, such as combat. In the case of a flight simulator the player gets into fighting immediately. Arcade mode usually makes the game a bit easier (such as unlimited ammo), limited but easier controls and usually all the vehicles/course/airplanes/fighters/enemies are available. Sometimes upgrades (special weapons) which can only be gained in the quest become available as power-ups in the arcade mode. An arcade mode can be time bound e.g. one has to destroy a number of targets within a certain amount of time. Arcade mode will allow a player to immediately engage in the activity that it likes most rather than waiting for it. An arcade mode adds more versatility to the game, an arcade mode might be more suitable for the casual player. Arcade mode increases efficiency (as players don’t have to wait) and satisfaction (as the arcade mode adapts to the player profile). Ace Combat 5 - This air combat simulator offers an arcade mode. In this mode the player's objective is to destroy a certain amount of enemies within the time-limit. The targets vary in points and the faster the player can destroy targets, the more time is added to the clock. Initially the player starts off with the F/A-22A as the default aircraft, the player can unlock the ability to use any other planes owned in the main game. Tekken 5 - This fighting game offers an arcade mode where any character can be chosen. You fight against a limited number of opponents, but new sets of opponents become available after defeating each enemy. Usually in a fixed amount of matches your are able to fight against the main evil character. Colin Mcrae rally 2 - This racing game features the simulation of rally and arcade racing. In the arcade mode one can race against other cars rather than a single car racing the clock on a road course. It is relatively easy to implement since it uses features already present in the game. A limited control scheme needs to be developed which may require some automation of certain tasks.