---
key: mechanic/visual-novel--family-18
type: mechanic
id: visual-novel--family-18
lang: en
title: Metamechanics
summary: >-
  The rules use saves, the interface, and knowledge of the game itself as part
  of the game's decision.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/visual-novel--family-18/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/visual-novel--family-18.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/visual-novel--family-18.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Visual novels
  - Mechanics
sourceIds:
  - source-97967c9840cf314d
sources:
  - id: source-97967c9840cf314d
    title: Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1388880/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: visual-novel
    id: family-18
    title: Visual novels
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/visual-novel/#family-18'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Metamechanics
    description: >-
      The rules use saves, the interface, and knowledge of the game itself as
      part of the game's decision.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/narrative-doki-plus-03.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1388880/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/1388880/ss_188001a5bfcfede5be35099f06f7b5ced2d2bcec.1920x1080.jpg?t=1769459840
      credit: Team Salvato / Serenity Forge
      rights: © Team Salvato / Serenity Forge. All rights reserved.
      caption: The in-game desktop in DDLC Plus
      alt: The in-game desktop in DDLC Plus
      markers:
        - x: 7
          'y': 56
          label: Files makes files part of the game’s own interface
    tips:
      - >-
        Help players distinguish intentional metagame behaviour from software
        errors.
    examples:
      - title: Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1388880/'
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/visual-novel
---
# Metamechanics

id: visual-novel--family-18
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/visual-novel--family-18
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/visual-novel--family-18/

The rules use saves, the interface, and knowledge of the game itself as part of the game's decision.

## At a glance

![The in-game desktop in DDLC Plus](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/narrative-doki-plus-03.webp)

[Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1388880/) · © Team Salvato / Serenity Forge. All rights reserved.

1. Files makes files part of the game’s own interface

- Help players distinguish intentional metagame behaviour from software errors.

- [Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1388880/)

## How it works

The rules use saves, the interface, and knowledge of the game itself as part of the game's decision.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-18-variants"></a>

- Response to boot or restart. Type: Mechanics. Rule: The game counts returning to a save as a meaningful action by the player. <a id="variant-vn-175"></a>
- Memory of canceled decisions. Type: Mechanics. Rule: Consequences take into account decisions that are no longer part of the current version of events. <a id="variant-vn-176"></a>
- Conservation as a subject of the game. Type: Mechanics. Rule: Slots, save points or their properties are involved in the task. <a id="variant-vn-177"></a>
- The menu is like a game space. Type: Mechanics. Rule: Promotion requires meaningful interaction with the main menu or settings. <a id="variant-vn-178"></a>
- Actions with game files. Type: Mechanics. Rule: The game offers to explore or change files specially designed for this. <a id="variant-vn-179"></a>
- Working with a virtual operating system. Type: Mechanics. Rule: Embedded files, windows and applications form the gaming environment. <a id="variant-vn-180"></a>
- Manage the availability of choice. Type: Mechanics. Rule: The player restores, changes or wins blocked actions. <a id="variant-vn-181"></a>
- Conscious cessation of interaction. Type: Mechanics. Rule: Closing, waiting, or refusing a habitual command has intended plot significance. <a id="variant-vn-182"></a>

## Context and limits

Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations.

## 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.

- [Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1388880/) (id: source-97967c9840cf314d)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors