Editing Play pattern

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In the world of [[toy]] design, '''play pattern''' is fancy murky industry-speak for "how are kids supposed to use this toy?"  You'll find it used a lot in the written description of patent applications.  Any feature of a toy that is intended to be used in a particular, specific way is part of some play pattern.

Some sample play patterns:
* '''[[Transformation|Conversion]]:''' toys that transform from robot to vehicle, of course.  It's the fundamental play pattern that defines the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]].
* '''[[Combiner|Combination]]:''' A feature introduced by toys such as [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], both composed of smaller toys.
* '''"Micro play":''' used by Hasbro reps at [[BotCon 2002]]<ref>[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-bc02.html Botcon 2002 report]</ref> to describe the play pattern of the tiny [[Mini-Con]] toys in ''Armada'' (and, by extension, their [[Micromaster]] predecessors.)
* '''"Aspirational Play":''' A somewhat more abstract, design-centric factor, that Hasbro has referenced as a play pattern.  Aspirational Play describes a child's preference to go "vroom-vroom" and "whoosh whoosh" with a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Lamborghini or Fighter Jet]] rather than the family station-wagon or a feather-duster.  
* '''"Puzzle play:"''' The play pattern associated with converting more complex ''Transformers'' toys. Since [[2014]], Hasbro has moved to de-emphasize this play pattern in their film/cartoon tie-in toylines, in favor of simpler and [[autotransformation|automatic]] transformations.
* '''"Battle play":''' Knocking over action figures and the one who doesn't fall over wins.
* '''"Ecosystem":''' The intentional compatibility of toys released as part of different [[size class]]es, like in ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'', ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]''.

[[File:Armadagalvatron 5mmoverload.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Attach ALL THE THINGS]]

If all this seems insanely pedantic, consider that the play pattern is distinct from other potential but unintended uses of the toy.  For example:
* Converting [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] from city to base to robot?  Intended play pattern!  
** Using Fortress Maximus as a blunt instrument to crush your little sister's dollhouse?  Not the intended play pattern!
* Converting [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from robot to gun? Intended play pattern!
** Using a G1 Megatron in gun form to rob a bank? Get used to prison food!

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==Footnotes==
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[[Category:Toys]]