PATTERN LANGUAGE FOR GAME DESIGN
Pattern Library Usage Agreement
How to use the Pattern Library website, Part 9
Published in
4 min readNov 30, 2020
First off, this is not a legal document. I may need to prepare a formal EULA for the site at some point, but this is not it. This is a set of expectations and guidelines. Please abide by these, failure to do so in a significant and consistent way may result in the removal of your user account.
Ok, I think that sounds stern enough! This is the way I intend the site to be used:
- Abide by copyright law. When you link to images, make sure that it is legal for you to use them. When you quote text in your patterns or game descriptions cite your source. As much as possible use your own words and images.
- Be respectful when you contribute content. In descriptions of games stick to the facts. Describe a game, don’t review it. Game example descriptions are editorial, feel free to give opinions there, but only so far as they are constructive. For example: “Gameplay in the 1992 version of Doom was visceral but simplistic.” is fine. “The first version of Doom SUCKED!” is not.
- Be accurate. When you enter content relating to games, developers, and publishers, make sure the information you enter is accurate. Check the spelling, publication date, etc. Give facts not opinions. For example: “EA is a major AAA publisher. They have been involved in significant controversy regarding their treatment of developers.” is fine. “EA is evil and you should never play games they publish.” is not.
- If you publish it, it belongs to everyone. When you create a pattern it is private and only the authors can see it. It belongs to the authors. When you mark a pattern for review it can be seen by any groups you added it to. It belongs to the groups. When you mark a pattern as published it can be seen by everyone. It belongs to everyone. The purpose of a publishing pattern is to expand and share everyone’s understanding of game design, and to allow everyone to use the pattern to make their games better.
- Link useful content. When adding ‘More Information’, ‘Available Through’, ‘Game Trailer’, and ‘Gameplay Video’ links be sure that the content you are linking to is useful and relevant to the game. The purpose of these links is not to promote your blog, youtube channel, or online store. Linking a blog article you wrote could be fine as long as the article contributes new and useful information to the game entry. Removing a link to a major game information site and replacing it with your blog post on the game is not acceptable. For the video-links try to stick to official trailers and no-commentary playthroughs.
- Only speak for yourself. When you create a pattern and assign authors, only assign yourself or other users that are actively contributing to the pattern. Linking a famous game dev and hoping that they notice and like your pattern is not acceptable.
- Changes are logged. Updates to games in the Games Reference are logged. Entering or altering a game in violation of the above guidelines can be traced back to you, so don’t do it. :( Altering a game to make the entry clearer or add useful links is encouraged though! :)
What do you think of these guidelines? Comment below and I will be listening.
Order a copy of Pattern Language for Game Design from:
Below you will see links to other articles talking about how to use other features of the site:
- Welcome/What is the Pattern Library
- How to use the Pattern Library to view and find patterns
- How to use the Game Reference to find and learn about games
- How to Register an account and fill out a profile/join/manage groups
- How to create a pattern
- Pattern and Link Confidence
- How to enter a game
- How to request help
- What’s Next?
