patterns:nucleus [RPG Design Patterns]

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======Nucleus======

{{:patterns:nucleus-dragonage.png?direct}}

[[games:dragonage|Dragon Age: Origins]]

=====Description=====

The nucleus is a space with (most often) solely friendly NPCs. Many of them will have quests for the player, be involved with quests, or sell [[patterns:item|items]]. It is separated from other level structures, and can either stand alone or be located in or near a superstructure. Most [[patterns:city|cities]] have a nucleus, and most [[patterns:uncharted_area|uncharted areas]] have a nucleus near or in them. The nucleus can have connections to several parts of the level, sometimes through use of [[patterns:warp|teleporters]].

The nucleus provides a place for the player to relax and focus on things like item, quest, and stat management. It makes a good stopping and starting point for gameplay, as entering a nucleus often associated with quest completion and access to new quests.

=====Variables and Affordances=====

  * **NPCs' purpose** (//None, Quest, Merchant, or Both//). A nucleus of only quest NPCs means the player has to visit another nucleus to unload the extra items they have. A nucleus of only merchants means the player has no other reason to visit besides item buying or selling.

=====Examples=====

  * [[games:dragonage|Dragon Age: Origins]] (//Denerim: Market District//). This is an example of a nucleus in a city. Though there are other places to go in the city, the Market District has the most quest givers and merchants.
  * [[games:dragonage|Dragon Age: Origins]] (//Brecilian Forest: Dalish Elf Camp//). This is an example of a nucleus before an uncharted area. It gives quests for the player to complete in the rest of the forest.
  * [[games:me2|Mass Effect 2]] (//Omega: Main Area//). The main area of Omega contains the quest NPCs and merchants, while linking to places like Quarantine and Archangel's Hideout, where the quests take place.
  * [[games:fallout3|Fallout 3]] (//Megaton//). Megaton is a very large nucleus, but not quite a city. It remains walled off from combat, and while there are a few quests resolved inside Megaton, the player does not spend enough time questing in the nucleus to call it a city.

====In Worked Examples====
  * [[examples:ratproblem|A Rat Problem]]
  * [[examples:take_it_back|Take It Back]]

=====Related Patterns=====

  * [[patterns:city|City]]
  * [[patterns:uncharted_area|Uncharted Area]]

=====Quest-Level Relationships=====

  * [[patterns:bridge_quest|Bridge Quest]]. Bridge quests often link nuclei together.
  * [[patterns:quest_hub|Quest Hub]]. Nuclei often serve as quest hubs.

{{tag>level:LevelStructure games:dragonage games:fallout3 games:me2}}