[game_edu] Why define a game? (was Re: Definition of a Game)

[Rafael Cabredo]

In the Philippines, this is currently an important matter.  Perhaps it isn't
so much a concern in designing and developing games, but more so in
explaining what game development is to other people.  Game development is
just a budding industry and a lot of people, especially those that matter
(i.e. government agencies, and schools), don't really understand what game
development is about.  By defining games and game development, we are able
to differentiate it with other disciplines.

Also, even with the success of a lot of MMOGs, people in our country still
associate the word "game" to gambling.   We are changing this perspective
through the efforts of IGDA-Manila and the Game Developers Association of
the Philippines (GDAP).

cheers!

Rafael




Rafael A. Cabredo
Instructor
College of Computer Studies
De La Salle University
2401 Taft Ave. Malate, Manila,
1004 Philippines



On Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 5:59 AM, steve graham <skg at dsu.edu> wrote:


> I have certainly spent my share of time thinking about what a game is and

> the myriad choices of definitions and defining characteristics. I even have

> my own theories and favorites. However, while I spend time on defining

> characteristics and feel it is time worth spending, I often end up coming

> back to the question:

>

> What difference does it make?

>

> Or to frame this question in a way that may be a bit more constructive:

>

> How does any particular theory or definition of games inform my design and

> development of a game?

>

> I don't have an answer I'm happy with.

>

> My intuition is that the theorizing does have a significant effect, but not

> one that is obvious or clear to me. I'd really like to hear others'

> thoughts.

>

> How *does* defining "game" (or "play" or ...) positively impact design and

> development?

>

> (Of course, I could be fooling myself. It could all be negative -- a futile

> waste of time and energy with no consequences, as we argue nits with each

> other. But it doesn't seem like that. Why not?)

>

> cheers,

> skg

>

>

> --

> steve graham

> associate professor

> computer game design

> dakota state university

> skg at dsu.edu

> 605-480-6603

>

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