Movement Penalty
CONCEPT
Penalties to movement speed. How far/fast the player can walk. This may depend upon difficult terrain and what type of gear is being carried.


Overview

A decrease in the rate of a character's movement, usually related to what the character is carrying or doing. Such penalties are sometimes implemented for realism; for example, slowing down a character that is carrying a a heavy load of equipment. However, a movement penalty can also be used for balance reasons. A heavier, more powerful weapon may carry the trade-off of also making the player slower or less agile.

Common Elements that May Impose Penalties

  • Wielding a heavy weapon such as a rocket launcher or a minigun.
  • Carrying an inventory load that is close to or over a weight limit.
  • Carrying or moving a corpse, crate, or other environmental objects.
  • Using a weapon's scope or sights.
  • Climbing a ladder.
  • Moving over certain types of terrain, such as water or sand.
  • In some older games, simply moving will deplete a food count; running out will result in an inability to move.

Common Penalties

  • Reduction of the player's run speed or removing the ability to run or sprint. In more extreme cases, the player character may not be able to move at all.
  • Not allowing the player to use a weapon while moving.
  • Faster depletion of a stamina meter.
  • Reduced or removed jumping ability.
  • In turn-based games, the number of spaces a unit can move may be reduced.
Concept details
Name
Movement Penalty
Aliases
Over-Encumbered,Encumberance,Encumbered,Over-Encumberance,Slowed Movement
People