What Is a Game?
A game is a system of rules, processes and components that enable players to interact with a digital or physical environment. This interaction may involve competing with or against other players, completing challenges and pursuing goals set out in the game. Games may also involve narrative elements or be pure abstractions of art or entertainment. The definition of a game can vary widely across people, as the concept is fluid and constantly being reworked by developers pushing the boundaries of what’s considered a game.
A common interpretation of a game is the one provided by Bernard Suits, who defines a game as a voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacles. This is an excellent interpretation as it highlights the freedom of choice for players to engage with games; but it also recognises that through choosing to play a game, they have consented to enter the magic circle of the game and to adhere to its rules and expectations.
Other scholars have built upon the concept of game by identifying different aspects that contribute to its definition. Keith Burgun, for example, argues that games are a system of rules where players compete by making ambiguous but meaningful decisions. He builds on the work of Caillois, indicating that games are goal-directed activities undertaken with an attitude geared towards play.
Another approach is the one presented by Avinash Dixit, who explains that games are a form of interactive decision-making where the outcome for each player depends on the actions of other players. This is a key distinction because it demonstrates that a game can be both competitive and collaborative, which can often blur the lines between what is and is not a game.
Many different types of game exist, ranging from a simple race-to-the-end board game like Candyland or Chutes and Ladders to more complex digital games involving a narrative. However, a defining feature of all games is their ability to create an engaging and meaningful experience that involves some sort of interaction with its players.
This is why games are so popular, as they allow people to explore and experiment with a wide range of different experiences. While some of these experiences might not be enjoyable, they can all be beneficial for the development of mental skills such as planning, resolving conflict and working with others.
There is also a growing trend for games to be used in the context of learning, with teachers using them as a tool to teach certain topics in school. This can include anything from physics to biology, and can help develop problem-solving skills as well as social interactions between students.
So whether you’re fighting your way through hordes of undead or playing your favourite racing video game, the fact remains that a game is any kind of structured activity in which a person plays to achieve a goal. This goal can be as simple as racing your token to the end of a path or as complicated as trying to win a political election.