What Is a Game?
Game, from the verb to play, refers to an activity in which players attempt to bring about a specific state of affairs. Unlike most forms of entertainment, games are interactive and involve conflict between the player and opponents. The nature of this conflict is specified by a set of rules that governs the activities of all participants and determines victory and defeat.
Games come in many forms, from simple 2D Tetris blocks to immersive virtual worlds. Each one has its own unique characteristics and requires its own special hardware. A computer game is played on a keyboard and mouse or controller, while a board game can be based on paper and pen and requires no electronic equipment at all. However, the most important thing common to all games is a set of rules that define what kind of action can take place and how these actions affect the outcome of the game.
While most games are competitive, not all of them feature a conflict between players or require skill. Some games are pure narrative and allow the player to immerse themselves in a fictional world with no real-world obstacles or challenges. Others, such as sports and mind games, are more geared towards personal improvement, such as in the case of training exercises or therapy sessions.
Game theory has explored a wide range of topics in relation to games. One area of interest is whether games can be considered as a form of art, similar to other forms such as novels and movies. Another is how the design of a game influences its meaning and value.
A third area of inquiry in game theory is how games are used for teaching and learning. Games can provide an interesting way to teach a variety of subjects, from science and history to math and economics. They can also promote cognitive growth, such as developing spatial reasoning skills, learning to multitask and solving puzzles. Studies have shown that people who regularly play video games are better at tasks requiring short-term memory recall and are more capable of navigating 3D environments.
In addition to examining the nature of games, philosophers have also sought to understand the psychological and social aspects of gaming. For example, a player may become attached to his or her game and its outcome, which can lead to problems such as excessive sulking or boasting after a loss or the desire to cheat in order to gain an advantage over an opponent.
A more controversial aspect of gaming is the role of professional athletes and sports teams, which some philosophers have criticized as not being games in the same sense as amateur or recreational sports. For example, Roger Caillois argues that professional athletes are working rather than playing when they participate in a race. This view has been challenged by other philosophers who have looked at the ways that games are woven into ordinary life, and have found that games often have non-recognizably normative effects.
