Digital object
Digital (virtual) objects exist in the game world. They might appear with graphics on the screen of the device.
A digital objects may have value only in relation to the game world. Players might be able to act on a digital object in various ways:
- collecting it
- transport it
- combine it with other objects
- steal it
- …
Competition for limited resources can be structured around digital objects.
Digital objects might have special meaning in the context of the game and be part of a narrative (e.g. reveal some piece of information. In the context of player differentiation they might have meaning only for some of the players with special roles, or they might award a player with special abilities (e.g. uncover part of a map). In that case a digital object that enables special functions might be characterized as a tool.