[game_edu] Definition of a Game

[Roberts, Scott]

Or see:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical_Investigations



From: game_edu-bounces at igda.org [mailto:game_edu-bounces at igda.org] On Behalf Of Susan Gold
Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 2:50 PM
To: IGDA Game Education Listserv
Subject: Re: [game_edu] Definition of a Game

In the IGDA Curriculum Framework (v3.2):

2.1 What are Games
This document thinks of games in the broadest possible sense and any one definition would be
limiting, giving preference to one discipline or perspective. Common to most definitions is the
notion that games are systems that involve a player who makes choices that change the state of
the system, leading to an outcome.

For the sake of having a working definition that is "good enough," we offer the following definition:
A game is an activity with rules. It is a form of play often but not always involving conflict, either
with other players, with the game system itself, or with randomness/fate/luck.

Most games have goals, but not all (e.g. The Sims, SimCity). Most games have defined start
and end points, but not all (e.g. World of Warcraft, Dungeons & Dragons). Most games involve
decision-making on the part of the players, but not all (e.g. Candyland, Chutes & Ladders).
A videogame is a game (as defined above) that uses a digital video screen of some kind, in
some way.

The definition above is not meant to exclude any type of game, but is included as a "working
definition." Readers should refer to the reference materials for additional definitions and
perspectives on what constitutes a game.

Studying games involves understanding the many factors that impact the workings of this complex
system.  The three overlapping areas in studying games are:

* Game Design - concerned primarily with interaction and interface design
Game design is the process of crafting a system of play in which players' actions have
meaning in the context of the game environment [Salen and Zimmerman, Rules of Play,
2004]. Game design encompasses the set of principles, concepts, and practices that lead
to the development of high-quality product. Implicit in the process of game design is the
consideration of design trade-offs to allow the implementation of a game in some human
playable interactive environment.
IGDA Curriculum Framework, v3.2beta, Released February 2008
* Game Development - concerned primarily with the production of games, especially
technologies used in creating a game
Game development is a process that involves the interdisciplinary cooperation of technical
disciplines like software engineering and creative disciplines like art and music to
implement a game design in a playable real-world format [Rabin, Introduction to Game
Development, 2005]. Game development often involves implementing and incrementally
testing potential game elements without knowing in advance which will succeed and which
will fail. Game development also requires knowledge of project management to ensure that
a game is completed with the available resources and within acceptable time constraints.

* Game Studies - concerned primarily with examining games as cultural artifacts, as pieces
of media and exploring theories of play
Game studies deals with the conceptual basis and vocabulary used to study and analyze
games. Related to game audiences, game history and videogame history,
technology/platform history, game criticism, games for educational and instructional
purposes.

The definitions given above are intended as guidelines for reading this document; they are not
meant to be final, definitive, or universally accepted. For each area, multiple definitions can be
found in literature, and there are of course many different ways of dividing and studying games.
While each of the core topics described in the next section can be attached to multiple areas, it is
conceptually helpful to think of a core topic belonging mostly to one area.

On Dec 7, 2009, at 12:24 PM, Nic Colley wrote:


I am curious to see what everyone's definition of a game. Also is there a one that the igda has?
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--
Susan Gold
In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom!
- J. G. Ballard







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