In the design of contemporary open world games, the daily commission system of Fontaine, a water city, undoubtedly reflects the profound connotation of the interweaving of modern games with historical culture and social structure. Fontaine is not only a virtual city, but also a cultural transmission and a microcosm of life order.
First of all, the opening of Fontaine is not random. Players must complete specific plot tasks to unlock this area. This setting is similar to the “entry qualification” in history. In reality, the world outside the city gate is completely different from the order inside the city. Only by obtaining recognition can you enter and participate. This design reflects the game’s understanding of the hierarchy of “identity” and “rights”, and also reflects the stratification and flow of social structure.
Daily commissions, as a mechanism, are actually more than simple tasks within the game. It is a manifestation of micro-sociology and a concrete manifestation of social division of labor and order. The four commissions seem trivial, but each carries different social functions and symbolic meanings.
The first commission, diving underwater to repair equipment, symbolizes the maintenance of the city’s hidden infrastructure. In the water city, water is not only an environmental element, but also a lifeline. Maintaining underwater equipment and ensuring smooth water flow is like the attention paid by city managers to water supply systems in history. The normal operation of water conservancy facilities directly affects people’s livelihood and economic development. Through this detail, the game designer conveyed the fundamental position of infrastructure construction in society.
The second task, delivering court documents, reflects the authority of the rule of law and the guarantee of order. The delivery of documents is one of the links in the judicial process, symbolizing the rigor of norms and procedures in a society ruled by law. Players take on this role and actually experience the microscopic level of the operation of the legal system. Through this design, the game strengthens the recognition and respect of social norms.
The third item, dispelling phantoms, seems to be a battle, but it actually implies the meaning of clearing social shadows. Phantoms are a symbol of unstable factors – just like various social risks, rebellions, and even inner fear and confusion in history. The player’s behavior is not only to fight monsters, but also a metaphor for cleaning up the environment and maintaining social stability.
Finally, helping the old soldiers at the dock to carry supplies implies social mutual assistance and respect for the elderly. The old soldiers represent the inheritance of history and the accumulation of society, and the assistance of the players reflects the respect for tradition and experience. This task emphasizes the mutual assistance between members of society and is the cornerstone of social harmony.
After completing these tasks, players gain reputation points. Reputation is not only a numerical value in the game, but also symbolizes social recognition and the establishment of interpersonal relationships. The improvement of reputation allows players to gradually improve their status in the city and obtain more resources and convenience. This design truly reflects the importance of reputation and credibility in real society, and also shows the operating mechanism of social relationship networks.
The urban design of Fontaine itself contains a profound cultural heritage. The water system design is not only beautiful, but also has practical value, symbolizing the vitality and mobility of the city. Buildings such as bridges, docks, and courts carry different aspects of social functions, showing the complexity and diversity of the city. Through these elements, players are not only participants in the game, but also inheritors of culture and history.
From a macro perspective, the design of Fontaine’s daily tasks reflects the modern game’s integrated understanding of history, culture, and social structure. It is both a game mechanism and a cultural experience; it is both a task process and a social behavior. While completing the task, players experience the multi-dimensional aspects of social division of labor, legal protection, public infrastructure maintenance, and social relations.
Therefore, Fontaine is not only a city on the water, but also a living social experiment field. Through the ingenious task design, it allows players to feel the pulse of real society and the weight of history in the virtual space. Such game design is not only entertainment, but also a vivid interpretation of the operating mechanism of human civilization. It is in this interweaving that the game has sublimated from a simple pastime to a profound discussion of culture and society.