---
key: mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g31
type: mechanic
id: electronic-devices--family-g31
lang: en
title: 'Resources, attention and danger'
summary: >-
  Using a device demands attention and may distract from threats. The player
  decides when information is worth the risk.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g31/
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g31.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g31.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Electronic devices in games
  - Terms
sourceIds:
  - source-65de2bd88b556a03
sources:
  - id: source-65de2bd88b556a03
    title: 'Alien: Isolation'
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/214490/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: electronic-devices
    id: family-g31
    title: Electronic devices in games
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/electronic-devices/#family-g31'
    categoryIds:
      - section-7
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: 'Resources, attention and danger'
    description: >-
      Using a device demands attention and may distract from threats. The player
      decides when information is worth the risk.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/general-alien-isolation-03.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 822
      game: 'Alien: Isolation'
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/214490/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/214490/ss_90419f0e549d54138abfeb3c7b78e4b5427afdb0.1920x1080.jpg?t=1763647113
      credit: >-
        Creative Assembly / Feral Interactive (Mac) / Feral Interactive (Linux)
        / SEGA / Feral Interactive (Mac) / Feral Interactive (Linux)
      rights: >-
        Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed
        screenshot from Steam; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY
        4.0.
      caption: A motion tracker provides incomplete information beyond a door
      alt: A motion tracker provides incomplete information beyond a door
      markers:
        - x: 21
          'y': 63
          label: The tracker reports motion without a direct view
        - x: 61
          'y': 53
          label: A closed passage limits visibility
    tips:
      - Keep an accessible cue for nearby danger.
    examples:
      - title: 'Alien: Isolation'
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/214490/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/electronic-devices
---
# Resources, attention and danger

id: electronic-devices--family-g31
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g31
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g31/

Using a device demands attention and may distract from threats. The player decides when information is worth the risk.

## At a glance

![A motion tracker provides incomplete information beyond a door](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/general-alien-isolation-03.webp)

[Alien: Isolation](https://store.steampowered.com/app/214490/) · Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed screenshot from Steam; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. The tracker reports motion without a direct view
2. A closed passage limits visibility

- Keep an accessible cue for nearby danger.

- [Alien: Isolation](https://store.steampowered.com/app/214490/)

## How it works

Devices: Computer; Smartphone; Walkie Talkie; Camera; Terminal; Device.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-g31-variants"></a>

- Work until time runs out. Rule: Complete the action before alarm, disconnection or loss of target. <a id="variant-g31-01"></a>
- Choose between parallel tasks. Rule: Distribute attention while events continue independently. <a id="variant-g31-02"></a>
- Alternate screen and environment. Rule: Look up from the interface to notice a physical threat... <a id="variant-g31-03"></a>
- Stay close to the device. Rule: Hold a position or connection until the operation is completed. <a id="variant-g31-04"></a>
- Risk unmasking. Rule: Decide when to use light, sound or radiation from a device. <a id="variant-g31-05"></a>
- Sacrifice function for resource. Rule: Choose between speed, accuracy, charge, heat and cost. <a id="variant-g31-06"></a>
- Continue with partial failure. Rule: Deal with a cracked screen, lag or faulty input. <a id="variant-g31-07"></a>
- Check the validity of the interface. Rule: Compare readings to the world when the screen can be misleading. <a id="variant-g31-08"></a>

## Context and limits

Author's taxonomy of actions, task forms and end-to-end conditions for design. Categories overlap. References support individual families, not every variant.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Alien: Isolation](https://store.steampowered.com/app/214490/) (id: source-65de2bd88b556a03)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors