What is a game?

The first task assigned for the course on games as learning tools was to consider definitions of what a game is .  After reading many definitions by those more knowledgable about this topic than I, we were challenged to create our own definition.

This is not as simple as it sounds.  What games are and what we perceive them to be include many different components.  I suspect that our expectations for game and what we expect them accomplish for us also directly affects our definition, whether we are conscious of it or not.  This implicit knowledge may influence our perceptions of what constitutes a "good" game or our satisfaction with a game.  My analyses for this blog are bases on my current definition:

"A game is a system within which we interact with others in a rich, engaging environment that creates “buy-in” for players.  This environment exists outside of ordinary life and is the context that provides meaning for agreed-upon rules that govern the structure of the game, its environment and the embedded conflicts or challenges of the game.  Rules are followed within the accepted environment in order to attain goals, either individually or with cooperation from other entities in the game for entertainment purposes.  Once the uncertain events and conclusion of the game are completed, players “leave” the gaming environment behind."

Identified components of a game included in my definition are :

1. organized structure (rules) for sense-making of the environment and interaction
2. exists “outside ‘ordinary’ life as being ‘not serious’” (Huzinga, 1938), often providing escape
3. interaction with others as conflict or cooperation (S&A (Crawford, 1982)
4. conflict (Crawford, 1982)
5. fun/entertainment
6. challenging goal to attain (Heinlich et al., 2002) though either mental or physical efforts
7. uncertainty to events during play and outcome (Kramer)

Whether or not you agree completely with my definition, I felt it important to share this foundation for our further inquiries.  It will be the basis for a few of the analyses done on this blog for coursework.

References:

Hong, J-C., Cheng, C-L., Hwang, M-Y., Lee, C-K., and Chang, H-Y. (2009). Assessing the

Crawford, C. (1982). What is a game? The Art of Computer Game Design.

educational values of digital games. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 25, 423-437.

Kramer, Wolfgang (2000). What is a game? The Games Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/WhatIsaGame.shtml