Magic (gaming)

Magic (gaming)

Some role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed. The rules can also be designed to balance the game play for the players, so as to not give any one participant an unfair advantage.

Typically magic is portrayed by a set of spells, each of which consists of a listing of the game effects and limitations. The game-spells are often grouped into sub-categories by common themes, so as to limit access and to provide context. These spell themes are typically given designations such as Order, College, School, or Domain. They are often characterized by a common effect, such as Fire, Healing, or Protection.

The spells may have a set of prerequisites (usually given a name like "components" or "reagents") that must be satisfied during the course of game play before the spell can be activated. The spell listing will also include restrictions on the time, range, and target location, which are listed in the units of measurement employed within the game. Finally the spell description will list the effects upon the game state. Because the effects of magic upon the game world are systematic, predictable, repeatable and quantifiable (with the exception of a few games like Mage: The Ascension), magic in games can be seen as a form of science.

Magic can also be portrayed within a game through the special capabilities of game-based objects, locations, individuals, and even mythological creatures. Each of these will have their own set of rules describing the game effects of their abilities. Usually these rules will be similar in form and function to the rules for portraying spells.

There are some similarities between the games within the same genre or subgenre, for example there can be a risk of critical failure when casting a spell in a pen-and-paper RPG or a turn-based computer RPG, but in most action RPGs that risk has been eliminated, due to gameplay considerations. There has also been some streamlining within action RPGs to concentrate on damaging elemental effects, like balls of fire, lightning streams, or icicles, while the scope within many other RPGs is usually much broader.

The most likely game type to include rules for magic are in the fantasy genre. However such rules can also be used in the horror and science fiction genres.