Define instancing.

Creating multiple identical or similar parallel representations (or "instances") of a single individual multiplayer game world zone, each with its own independently operating set of NPCs, nodes, and other player-interactive content, and separating player characters who enter the zone among such instances based on one or more predetermined criteria (e.g. party membership, zone population, player selection).

It could be broader or narrower depending on the implementation.

Or for the simple minds.

"Meet me at the town square"

"Ok I'm here"

"Where I don't see you?"

"I'm at the square where are you?"

"I'm at the square, I don't see you!"

"Sigh, I'm at the north west corner of the square."

"No you aren't I'm standing here and all i see is some Chinese gold spammer!"

Instancing: The act of 'instance'

Originally posted by rikilii

Creating multiple identical or similar parallel representations (or "instances") of a single individual multiplayer game world zone, each with its own independently operating set of NPCs, nodes, and other player-interactive content, and separating player characters who enter the zone among such instances based on one or more predetermined criteria (e.g. party membership, zone population, player selection).

 

It could be broader or narrower depending on the implementation.

This works in nearly every used case.

Though there are other things like NPCs reacting differently to players, players seeing different things in the "open" world, and similar cases. 

Originally posted by paulscott

Originally posted by rikilii

Creating multiple identical or similar parallel representations (or "instances") of a single individual multiplayer game world zone, each with its own independently operating set of NPCs, nodes, and other player-interactive content, and separating player characters who enter the zone among such instances based on one or more predetermined criteria (e.g. party membership, zone population, player selection).

 

It could be broader or narrower depending on the implementation.

 

This works in nearly every used case.

Though there are other things like NPCs reacting differently to players, players seeing different things in the "open" world, and similar cases. 

That is more a case of 'phasing' which is just an application of different filters to the datastream a player receives.  Instancing implies a seperate 'process space' on the server.

Originally posted by rikilii

Creating multiple identical or similar parallel representations (or "instances") of a single individual multiplayer game world zone, each with its own independently operating set of NPCs, nodes, and other player-interactive content, and separating player characters who enter the zone among such instances based on one or more predetermined criteria (e.g. party membership, zone population, player selection).

 

It could be broader or narrower depending on the implementation.

Very well said.

technical definition is irrelevant

meaningful definition = not playing a MMOG

By the way, having multiple servers or shards is a form of instancing.

Originally posted by rikilii

Creating multiple identical or similar parallel representations (or "instances") of a single individual multiplayer game world zone, each with its own independently operating set of NPCs, nodes, and other player-interactive content, and separating player characters who enter the zone among such instances based on one or more predetermined criteria (e.g. party membership, zone population, player selection).

 

It could be broader or narrower depending on the implementation.

I disagree - to me this could also describe a shard.

An instance is a game play area specifically created for a character (or characters) within a game so that they may carry out a specific goal / task / battle or action entirely independently of the rest of the game or players.
The instance ceases to exist (and has no residual presence) when the goal / task / battle or action is completed (or failed) and the characters exit.

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Originally posted by Gyrus

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Originally posted by rikilii

Creating multiple identical or similar parallel representations (or "instances") of a single individual multiplayer game world zone, each with its own independently operating set of NPCs, nodes, and other player-interactive content, and separating player characters who enter the zone among such instances based on one or more predetermined criteria (e.g. party membership, zone population, player selection).
 
It could be broader or narrower depending on the implementation.

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I disagree - to me this could also describe a shard.
 
An instance is a game play area specifically created for a character (or characters) within a game so that they may carry out a specific goal / task / battle or action entirely independently of the rest of the game or players.
The instance ceases to exist (and has no residual presence) when the goal / task / battle or action is completed (or failed) and the characters exit.
 
 
 

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Except for games which instance actually zones, have no specific "task" or "goal" and don't just go away when you're done with them. (I.E EQ2 zones, AoC zones)

Originally posted by Nadril

 

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Except for games which instance actually zones, have no specific "task" or "goal" and don't just go away when you're done with them. (I.E EQ2 zones, AoC zones)

But then is it an 'instance' or a 'zone'?  What do you mean by "go away when you're done with them."  How do you mean 'done'?  Completed?

As an example Wizard 101 has a number of instances around 'levels' that have puzzles.  But, they are created for a specific player or group = instance.
You complete the puzzle and leave.

Originally posted by Gyrus

Originally posted by rikilii

Creating multiple identical or similar parallel representations (or "instances") of a single individual multiplayer game world zone, each with its own independently operating set of NPCs, nodes, and other player-interactive content, and separating player characters who enter the zone among such instances based on one or more predetermined criteria (e.g. party membership, zone population, player selection).

 

It could be broader or narrower depending on the implementation.

I disagree - to me this could also describe a shard.

 

An instance is a game play area specifically created for a character (or characters) within a game so that they may carry out a specific goal / task / battle or action entirely independently of the rest of the game or players.
The instance ceases to exist (and has no residual presence) when the goal / task / battle or action is completed (or failed) and the characters exit.

 

Like I said, it could be narrower or broader depending on the situation.

But, you misinterpreted my definition, because it says "a single individual multiplayer game world zone" meaning a portion of an entire game world. 

Also, your definition would not encompass major zones that are divided into mutliple instances when the population gets too high, like in EQ2.  What would you call these different instances?

Originally posted by Gyrus

An instance is a game play area specifically created for a character (or characters) within a game so that they may carry out a specific goal / task / battle or action entirely independently of the rest of the game or players.
The instance ceases to exist (and has no residual presence) when the goal / task / battle or action is completed (or failed) and the characters exit.

That is one way an instance can be used, but not the sole use of them.