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A Study of Orthogonality in The Witness
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- Author / Creator
- Abutarab, Faisal U. R.
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In this thesis, we discuss the video game design concept of orthogonality and provide its operationalization. Our focus is on combinatorial puzzle games---puzzle games in which each puzzle, i.e. level, is composed of object types that are reused across puzzles. For example, in the puzzle game Portal 2, object types include light bridges, lasers and turrets. Given a new object type, orthogonality asks the following: Compared to the existing game and its levels, does the new object type add quality, novel and diverse levels in terms of their gameplay?
Our focus in this thesis is on the popular combinatorial puzzle game The Witness. We use our measure of orthogonality to analyze the existing game of The Witness, and in addition, we use the measure to generate a new type of object in the game. Furthermore, we provide a general definition of orthogonality for combinatorial puzzle games. Our discussion and operationalization of orthogonality builds upon related game design ideas and concepts developed and used in the puzzle game community. -
- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Spring 2024
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.