Names for magic?

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

how about calling it "THIS IS NOT MAGIC"???

 

[Markus I.]

My current project is a futuristic one, so I named the attributes as:

HP (Continues the same)

MP > EP (Energy Points) It's like that every magic attack actually is a energy released by some sort of amps or conduits by each character. How it's a futuristic game, I renamed those "classic" elements, such as Fire, Ice, Thunder to Thermal, Cryogenic and Electric.

TP > RP (Rage Points) Love this name, "Technical Points" makes no sense to me, "Rage Points" seems more appropriate for my purposes and I usually assign some skills to the RP like: "Berserk", "Full Guard", that sort of stuff that are related to "Rage" and that doesn't depend on any of those "amps & conduits" mentioned above.

 

[hyde9318]

Well, in a game I am working on currently, Magic is Magicus (which is literally Latin for Magic, or magical). So it still comes up as MP, and at the same time, the word Magicus is very close to Magic, so players can easily understand what it means.


As for TP, I tend to favor Skill Points (SP) over Technical points. Rage also is a good representation, but I don't always like the idea that my character can only perform a skill when he is angry. Stamina is also a decent idea as doing heavier attacks would deplete stamina or make your tired, while lighter attacks would let you rest a bit more and build stamina.

 

[BlissAuthority]

Unless it's important to the setting/story and intuitive, I wouldn't rename MP or the Magic command except perhaps to SP (Spell Points).  Anything you can do to prevent player confusion is a good thing.

If it's both, of course - say, a game set in a Chinese or Japanese culture where it's renamed Chi/CP, or it's called Essence/SP and a good deal of the storyline goes into magic as an expression of the soul - then go right ahead. 

 

[aozgolo]

Generally speaking, as a writer, originality doesn't come from totally original pieces, if your magic is called something totally unique and original but functions identical to a bunch of other magic systems, it's not original. It's similar to writing a story, I can come up with a tree-worshipping, semi-tribal, lithe combatant race and call them Na'vi, or I can just use "Elves" because everyone already knows what that is and you don't waste exposition explaining what they are (see what I did there?)

If your magic system is truly unique and set apart from others then I would say go for a unique name for it, but if it's functionally similar to others, then don't confuse your audience by making it sound different and unique.

 

[dinhbat3]

Agreed with many of the previous posts on this thread I've read so far.

Renaming for renaming sake would simply pose the question. Why is "magic" called "x, y or z" in this game?

In the game I am brainstorming, the development of "skills" and "magic" are central to the game plot and (if I learn to script it right) somewhat unique due to its relation to the plot and the lore of the world being created. In a case like that it would make sense to call "magic" by a different but not TOO different name. Currently, I am trying to figure out a way to name my "magic/skills" appropriately, but that is a detail I am not too concerned about just yet.