A New Definition for Games

A game is typically a structured, choreographed form of play, often undertaken for fun or entertainment, and at times used as an educational instrument. Most games are distinctly different from work, which is usually done for remuneration, and in comparison to art, which is generally more of an expressive or aesthetic component of artistic or imaginative forms. While games are predominantly played for recreation, they can be used in education or for teaching. The structure of the game, the rules, rewards and punishments, and the amount of time devoted to it all contribute to the effectiveness of the game.

While games have traditionally been associated with boys, there has been an increasing acceptance of girls playing games. There is no definitive definition of games. The definition given below is derived from a combination of criteria that may be applied to games, and their role in society. These are not exhaustive but should give you a good foundation for your own ideas on what constitutes a game.

Games can be classified according to the goal that they are promoting, by the medium they are being played with, or according to the nature of the game, i.e. a game for children can be described under leisure activity, pleasure, competition and/or skill. Some other classifications under which games can be discussed are computer games, sports, puzzles, motor skills, software, dress up, advertising games, computer network games and card games. Other classifications under which new definition for games are proposed including digital games (IP games), gaming consoles, downloadable content, online interactivity and virtual reality. This article is an introduction to the new definition of games and will not address the issue of how games are classified anymore than it briefly discusses what games are. I hope you will please consider this.