Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
games have a unique identity that is different from other types of in-
teractive systems. I should mention that this is not some strange, new,
arbitrary definition: many game designers already agree with my pro-
posed usage in a general way. Furthermore, I think that it's actually very
consistent
when you look at the way
game
is applied to games that aren't
digital. Very few people refer to jigsaw puzzles as games; indeed, jigsaw
puzzles get their own area in the store.
Definitions
Merriam-Webster's first definition on its list for the word
game
appears
below.
Game: activity engaged in for diversion or amusement.
This definition is perfectly fine for everyday use. The dictionary is
doing its best to cover all bases, and as a result the first definition is
exceptionally broad. For those of us who are serious about the subject
of games, however, this definition is woefully inadequate. It implies that
eating a hamburger or watching television could be considered games,
and I think even most laypeople would consider it too broad. The third
definition on Merriam-Webster's list is much closer to one that is useful
to us.
Game: a physical or mental competition conducted according to rules
with the participants in direct opposition to each other.
This definition is quite close to what I think a game actually is. It
includes the aspect of
competition
—there are different
agents
trying to
achieve a goal that cannot be shared. It mentions
rules
—guidelines by
which the game must be played. These are both important features of
this definition (ones that I'll address in more detail later), but there is
something very important missing from the definition above.
First, though—do you think a weight-lifting contest is a game? How
about a hot-dog eating contest? An arm-wrestling match? Some of you
will answer no, and those of you who do not will at least hesitate before
defining these things as games—if a friend asks whether you want to
play a game and then reveals that he wants to have an arm-wrestling
match, part of you will be surprised. The idea of
playing a game
feels like
it should involve something more than merely measuring the strength of
your arm against that of an opponent.
So what is that missing element? What makes contests different from
something like chess or
Street Fighter,
both of which we consider games?
