Context pattern

From GPWiki

Context

The context usability pattern makes it easier for a user to interact with the game world. This pattern serve as translation layer that may translate a single user input to a variety of action in the game world.

Problem

Most games have a huge variety of actions a player can perform. For example in a strategy game the builder unit can chop wood, repair a building, harvest food or attack enemy units. The problem is that the user has to remember how to command the builder unit to do all these different actions. This can be very taxing for example in the game Dune2.

Solution

• Provide a single user action (like a left mouse button click) to perform the default action appropriate to the particular context. Such as chopping wood when left mouse clicking on trees.