20 is Called a "Score" for Good Reason
As gamers, we‘re quite familiar with scores. They represent quantifiable progress whether we‘re racking up points in matches, earning grades on levels, or climbing leaderboards. But why is a set of 20 sometimes referred to as a score? The term has an apt origin story linked to tallying and game-like counts.
From Sheep Tallying to Scorekeeping
Pastoral shepherds had a practical need to count their flock. Using knife or blade, they‘d carve a notch into wood for every 20 sheep sent out to graze. Each notch represented one score‘s worth of sheep. Gamers will notice how this mirrors tally marks we make to count or keep score.
Like gamers keeping mental track of points, shepherds had to remember each score notch was worth 20 sheep. Their cumulative counts using the score system enabled better flock management.
What‘s in a Game Score?
Modern video game scores also represent incremental progress. Though today the tally marks are digital, the concept mirrors shepherd counts:
Sports Games: Points scored in matches accumulate to overall totals. Annual sports titles include Career Scoring modes to motivate higher numbers.
Arcade-Style Games: Quick reflex challenges rely on scores achieved per game, driving players to beat high scores through continuous incremental improvement.
RPGs and MMOs: Players grind to earn experience points (XP) to reach new levels and skill upgrades. The score incentivizes greater time investments.
So while games offer diverse ways to score, the motivational principles are equivalent to shepherds managing ever-larger flocks. We‘re compelled to accrue higher numbers through gameplay.
Leveling Up Game Scoring Systems
Are today‘s scoring mechanics the pinnacle though? How might video games evolve to motivate more advanced tallying?
Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment: Imagine if games auto-scaled based on your current score, becoming harder the higher your tally just as shepherds had larger flocks to manage.
Player Benchmarking: Direct score comparisons against friends could drive personal high score challenges. Games might even integrate wagering around outscoring peers.
Scoring Exploration: Most games today reward combat, quests, etc. Could open worlds incentivize discoveries through scoring mechanics for exploration?
Why "Score" Still Tallies Up
While games have vastly expanded, the appeal of numbered progress persists. The incremental count rewards intrinsic to "keeping score" make achievements feel more satisfying. We retain the score as a concept because adding quantified totals creates a sense of motivational progression.
Each notch to a shepherd‘s tally stick represented the work to herd another 20 sheep. For us gamers, each point scored similarly symbolizes our dedication through gameplay. These numbers tally up our accomplishments. So next time you‘re focused on maxing out your score, remember its pastoral roots!
