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

[Richard Fleming]

Well, it makes for an excellent take-home final question.  I avoided defining what a game is during the semester, and just asked my game design students to tell me what a game is, now that they've been studying how to make one for a semester.  I then asked them to give me an example of something they consider a game, and something they don't consider a game, and justify the classification using their definition.  Personally I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of answers I get.

-----------
Richard Fleming


-----Original Message-----
From: game_edu-bounces at igda.org [mailto:game_edu-bounces at igda.org] On Behalf Of steve graham
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 2:59 PM
To: IGDA Game Education Listserv
Subject: [game_edu] Why define a game? (was Re: Definition of a Game)

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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