Challenge Type | Classic Example |
Exploration Challenges: | |
- Identifying spatial relationships
| Descent, navigating in three dimensions |
- Finding keys (unlocking any space)
| Ultima |
| Doom |
- Mazes and illogical spaces
| Zork |
Conflict: | |
- Strategy, tactics, and logistics
| Warcraft, commanding armies |
| Pac-Man, avoiding being caught |
- Reduction of enemy forces
| Half-Life, killing aliens |
- Defending vulnerable items or units
| ICO, looking after a little girl who can't fight |
| Thief: The Dark Project, avoiding being seen |
Economic Challenges: | |
- Accumulating resources or points (growth)
| Civilization |
- Establishing efficient production systems
| The Settlers |
- Achieving balance or stability in a system
| SimEarth |
| Creatures |
Conceptual Reasoning Challenges: | |
- Sifting clues from red herrings
| Law and Order, solving crimes |
- Detecting hidden meanings
| Planescape: Torment, understanding characters' motivations from vague hints |
- Understanding social relationships
| Facade, reconciling a quarreling couple |
| The Incredible Machine, building a machine from limited parts |
Creation/Construction Challenges: | |
- Aesthetic success (beauty or elegance)
| The Sims, assembling a photo album |
- Construction with a functional goal
| Mind Rover, designing a fighting robot |