Magic (game terminology)
Magic or mana is an attribute assigned to characters within a role-playing or video game that indicates their power to use special magical abilities or "spells". Magic is usually measured in magic points or mana points, shortened as MP. Different abilities will use up different amounts of MP.[1] When the MP of a character reaches zero, the character will not be able to use special abilities until some of their MP is recovered.[2]
Much like
History
The magic system in
"
Mechanisms
Because skills and abilities are not usually lost, a game designer might decide to limit the use of such an ability by linking its use to magic points. This way, after using an ability, the player is required to rest or use an item to replenish
"Magic" may be substituted with psychic powers, spiritual power, advanced technology or other concepts that would allow a character to influence the world around them that is not available in real life. Magic is often restricted to a specific
In video games, MP can often be restored by consuming magic potions or it may regenerate over time.
In role-playing games
In both
Some games introduce a separate point system per skill. For example, in the
In god games
In god games, the player's power is usually called mana and grows along with the number and prosperity of the player's worshipers. Here, the population size influences the maximum amount of mana the player has and the rate at which their mana restores itself when it is below that maximum. Using "godly powers" consumes mana, but such actions are necessary to increase the number and prosperity of the population.[8]
References
- ^ a b c "The History of Mana: How an Austronesian Concept Became a Video Game Mechanic", June 17, 2014, Alex Golub, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
- ^ ISBN 978-1449631505. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
- ]
- ^ "Vancian". Archived from the original on 2007-01-03. Retrieved 2007-02-23.
- ^ DeVarque, Aardy. "Literary Sources of D&D". Archived from the original on 2007-12-09. Retrieved 2007-02-23.
- ISBN 978-1-907702-58-7.
- ISBN 978-1449663926. Retrieved 2014-12-24.
- ^ ISBN 978-0132104753. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
- ISBN 978-1439867761. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
- ISBN 1930206313. Retrieved 2014-11-20.