@MASTERSTHESIS\{IMM2006-04448,
    author       = "A. Hayeem",
    title        = "Generality of online games - Generalitet i online spil",
    year         = "2006",
    school       = "Informatics and Mathematical Modelling, Technical University of Denmark, {DTU}",
    address      = "Richard Petersens Plads, Building 321, {DK-}2800 Kgs. Lyngby",
    type         = "",
    note         = "Supervised by Assoc. Prof. Niels J{\o}rgen Christensen, {IMM}.",
    url          = "http://www2.compute.dtu.dk/pubdb/pubs/4448-full.html",
    abstract     = "Generic rule sets are universally designed to contain rules for any role-playing setting. The most successful rule sets in the pen and paper-role playing game community are the generic ones. Despite this fact, the computer industry for role-playing games has yet to implement a generic solution specifically designed for the computer. Instead, many computer role-playing games have borrowed generic rule sets from the pen \& paper market, or have created “specific” rule sets for their games lacking the power of the generic rule sets.

The Information Technology University of Denmark currently lacks a generic rule set for a combat system for their massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) engine. To provide them with this system, the generic rule sets of the most successful systems in the pen and paper market have been analyzed, together with some of the specific rule sets found in the {MMORPG} market. The design of the combat system resulted in an intuitive core mechanic, and several algorithms that administer combative elements such as hitting and parrying a target. Because the combat system is often closely tied to the rest of the rule system, rules influencing combative values have also been analyzed and designed. 

The implementation of the project was conducted in the python programming language and resulted in a system for the design and balancing of characters in terms of combative conflict. In comparison to other combat systems, the design of the system is more complex equipping future game developers with a much finer degree of balancing elements but unfortunately also expands the time needed for new players to learn the system. Solutions to the latter have been discussed."
}