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Background
Introduction To CoopA
The CoopA scenario design reference has been written to provide scenario makers with a new, structured approach to planning co-operative multi-player (MP) scenarios.
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CoopA is not a mission 'type' (like CSAR), but an approach to scenario design that can accommodate a range of 'types', both new and established. CoopA is thus a scenario 'style', not an attempt at format re-invention - for this reason the designation CoopA is proposed, instead of Coop2 etc.
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This reference is essentially a dogma (see CoopA Dogma), in that it identifies a series of characteristics that make a CoopA scenario distinct. |
Fundamental Concepts
Five fundamental concepts underpin the CoopA approach:
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| 1. | A scenario must provide a compelling back-story and narrative structure that is broad enough to allow a group of players to 'buy-into'. |
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| 2. | Player roles must be differentiated such that participants are challenged to contribute in a specific and identifiable manner. |
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| 3. | Close co-ordination between players must be facilitated and rewarded, with an emphasis on the use of leadership at the tactical level. |
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| 4. | OPFOR responses to player threats must be dynamic and fluid enough to promote high levels of re-playability. |
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| 5. | A scenario must offer multiple endings reflecting degrees (or types) of success, with a mixture of player and event-driven conclusions. |
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The Dogma
The CoopA characteristics have been compiled into the CoopA Dogma - a set of detailed requirements that a scenario must satisfy in order to be considered fully compliant. |
Note: some Further Ideas have been suggested in addition to the dogma.
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Further Background
The idea for the CoopA reference came originally from conversations and debates held by members of the regular online playing community in newsgroups, IRC and server-chat during games. The desire to specify a new dogma for co-operative mission scenario arises from a frustration with the single-player legacy of the original OFP mission structures.
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Traditional OFP coop mission narrative structures are often extremely linear, since the approach to mission design in the original OFP campaigns focused on placing a single player at the heart of a compelling storyline. This characteristic has also manifested in the design of VBS scenarios.
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Using a narrative structure as the foundation of a scenario is still a strong idea, since it gives 'meaning' to the objectives and provides an experience that is markedly different from open-ended or 'match' style mission types such as CTI, CTF and deathmatch.
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The challenge with narrative-led scenarios is that too often the player group is crudely substituted for the role of a single character. This can lead to 'wolf pack' style of play: although players understand the mission path, they move along it together as individuals without acting as a coherent team.
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CoopA is an attempt to re-position the design of MP scenarios, with an emphasis on facilitating a more team-focused approach to problem-solving by players whilst still maintaining an underlying narrative that gives meaning to the action.
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