Game Definition

The definition of a game is very broad and this can be seen in the definition supplied to us during Tuesday lectures. After reading each definition, I agreed with a number of them. My definition of a game comes from the various definitions supplied to us on Tuesday.

My definition of a game is: An activity in which required players to consist decisions throughout the game play, where certain goals must be reached (Clarke C.ABT). In order for a game to be successful, all rules must be agreed upon for a winner to be determined (David Parlett).

However this may not always be the case as it depends on who is playing the game and the type of game being played. A game played amongst young children is not usually serious, and take place in there own boundaries of time and space. The games played by young children are usually played in groups; this in turn creates social groups amongst these children. When these groups play they usually aren’t serious where they play pretend causing them to be in a separate outside world. It is also here where children create there own words and phases, which they can only understand (Johann Huizinga).

By separating themselves from the outside world, they are in essence in a world of make believe (Roger Caillois). One just has to look how young girls/boys play. It is all about pretend and make believe with princes/princess, cowboys and Indians, Super Heroes or even pretending to be their favorite sporting stars in the backyard.

Also, the above paragraph also can be associated with children/adults playing video games. They are pretending to be a character that takes place in a make believe world where players are transported to there own boundaries, usually ignoring everything in the outside world. It is also here that players create social groups be that in the same room or the World Wide Web. Fans of these games have there own forums where hints, tricks, and even there own vernacular and it is here where debates can occur all day. These social groups are usually in a world to themselves.

In terms of adults, games can be reflected in the above paragraphs but it can also be as a form of conflict and interaction. However unlike kids, adult men and women play games differently. Men can see a game as a conflict and like a war, whereas woman sees it as a nice form of interaction and fun amongst good friends with no need for a conflict. Adult games can range anywhere from house games such as playing cards/board games, to the office, in politics or on the battlefield of war (Chris Crawford).

Overall, defining a game is quite complex. It depends on a number of different factors:

• Gender,
• Age,
• Type of game being played
• Purpose/ goals.

While there is not one forming definition to what a game is, however there is one common aspect to all games, that being it is an activity enjoyed by all who is involved.