====== Player differentiation, player roles ======
This pattern lets players be differentiated from each other.

Players can be differentiated in various ways:
  * **symmetrically**, or zero-sum, where players have abilities and roles that are complimentary to each other. A widely used pattern is rock-paper-scissors. An escalation of the rock-paper-scissors pattern might ask players to [[en:patterns:team_forming|combine]] their abilities in order to overcome a {{tagpage>challenge}} or solve a [[en:patterns:puzzle|puzzle]].
  * **non symmetrically**, where some of the players or participants have a special role, e.g. games with a [[en:patterns:moderator|moderator]] or games where there is a leader in the [[en:patterns:team_forming|teams]].
 
Another **differentiation** might be on the basis of the [[en:patterns:information_awareness|information awareness]] pattern. For example, players who have access to special information may use that against opponents who may have an advantage in numbers.

The possible actions of the players in the game and their respective [[en:patterns:motivation|motivations]], either in the [[en:patterns:interaction_with_the_physical_world|physical]] or the [[en:patterns:interaction_with_the_digital_world|digital]] world are a way of expressing **player differentiation**. 
Ways of providing **differentiation** are:
  * [[en:patterns:tool|Game tools]], e.g. a player might have a specialized radar or a scanner to find out the positions of opponents.
  * [[en:patterns:equipment|Equipment]], e.g. some members of a [[en:patterns:team_forming|team]] might have a tablet while others may take the role of a scout or messenger.
  * Players might be provided with different 
    * [[en:patterns:player_goals|goals]], or
    * starting conditions, or
    * [[en:patterns:information_awareness|information]] 

**Player differentiation** might be supported by or lead to the emergence of a [[en:patterns:narrative|narrative]] background. 

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=== Related patterns ===
[[en:patterns:tool|Game tools]]

[[en:patterns:narrative|narrative]]

[[en:patterns:team_forming|team forming]]

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=== Related heuristics ===
[[en:heuristics:heuristics#3.2]]

[[en:heuristics:heuristics#5.1]]

[[en:heuristics:heuristics#5.2]]

{{tag>interaction_between_players}}

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=== Backlinks ===
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