The Definition of a Game

The definition of a game is an ever-evolving concept. A game is sometimes seen as art (as in the case of jigsaw puzzles or games of chance), entertainment, work, or even a social lubricant. Yet, despite their many uses and the wide-ranging interpretations of them, there are still a few key elements that define games: goals, rules, challenges, and interaction.

For most people, the primary purpose of a game is to compete with others in order to win or lose a contest. This objective may be achieved by demonstrating skill, strategy, luck, or a combination thereof. The game’s tools – whether they be physical or virtual – are used to create the context in which players can play. The game’s rules determine the outcome of the competition.

However, this is a narrow definition of a game. In fact, a contest with a clear winner and loser can be considered a non-game, since the purpose of the competition is to achieve a specific result rather than to provide an opportunity for play. This is a particularly important distinction to make in terms of the burgeoning field of video game studies, which has been criticised for its elitist snobbery regarding what is a game.

Some people argue that a definition of a game must be inclusive, or at least take previous research into account. However, doing so can be problematic, as it can limit the scope of future research and skew results toward certain biases. This is especially true for research on digital games, which are constantly pushing the boundaries of what was previously considered to be a game.

For example, a game’s rules may be influenced by its cultural or historical context. Some examples of this include games played on a board or table, like checkers, chess, draughts, or pinball, as well as more recent games such as scatological video games or interactive fiction.

There are also games whose purpose is to entertain, educate, or exercise mental skills, and other kinds of non-competitive activities. Some of these, such as sports or spectator games, are traditionally viewed as “work.” Other types, such as solitaire or mahjong, are often considered to be leisure activities.

The most common way to describe a game is through the lens of its goal, rules, and challenge. These factors are inseparable from the ends of gameplay, and are often a necessary constraint in defining a game. These aspects are a critical part of game design and allow for variation in player experience from game to game. However, these characteristics of games do not imply that they are necessarily fun or enjoyable. Some games are designed to be difficult, or even unpleasant, to play. These games can elicit negative emotions such as anger, fear, frustration, anxiety, and depression. Some of these games are marketed to individuals who are prone to feeling negative emotions, such as those with high scores on the OCEAN test, or for whom a game’s theme of threat is especially appealing.