What is a game?; a question that is surprisingly difficult to answer. It seems like such a simple question to be asked at first, but the more you think, the more complex it gets.
What I've noticed from the readings is that the game industry is very subjective. There isn't one single set of terminology to be used by everybody as the industry is far too complex for everybody to settle on a single set of terms. The reason for this is that it is highly unlikely that different areas of the gaming industry will be using the same terms, they are all so different that it is probably impossible to settle on a single set.
Like I said, it is very difficult to define a game, and when taking into account my previous point, if the industry can't settle on a single set of terms to be used, how can they settle on a single definition if they're all so different? There are probably hundreds, if not, thousands, of definitions out there for a game.
Here are a couple of examples:
What I've noticed from the readings is that the game industry is very subjective. There isn't one single set of terminology to be used by everybody as the industry is far too complex for everybody to settle on a single set of terms. The reason for this is that it is highly unlikely that different areas of the gaming industry will be using the same terms, they are all so different that it is probably impossible to settle on a single set.
Like I said, it is very difficult to define a game, and when taking into account my previous point, if the industry can't settle on a single set of terms to be used, how can they settle on a single definition if they're all so different? There are probably hundreds, if not, thousands, of definitions out there for a game.
Here are a couple of examples:
- A game has 'ends and means': and objective, an outcome and a set of rules to get there. (David Parlett)
- A game is an activity involving player decisions, seeking objectives, withing a "limiting context" [i.e. rules]. (Clark C. Abt)
A meme 'What is the meaning?'
Although the meaning of a game is extremely dynamic and subjective, I learned it is very easy to create a game, without certain skills, programs, creativity or money. Brenda Romero (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Romero) is an extremely interesting person with great philosophies on game design and the fear of getting into it. The link above links to her wiki page which is very interesting.
Game design and game development are two completely different things. They are very self-explanatory, but some confuse them with each other. Design is the thought processes and defining exactly what you're going to make, whereas development is the physical (or virtual, rather) creation of the design.
Game Design - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_design
Game Development - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_development
Both of these links give a deeper insight into the definitions and are a nice read to just differentiate the two processes.
Overall, I've learned a lot about the industry and the complexity involved in it, and I'm ready to design some games!
BLC Blogging
Hi Brian,
ReplyDeleteBrilliant blog! You had some great insight into game design and what it is. I'm the same as you with the this reading there is so much about the industry and the complexity involved with game design but its so interesting!
Cant wait to read more :)
Jen
Hi Brian
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog on your game design. I get where you are coming from on the amount of reading as it can be a lot to take in at once what I have started doing in my reading blogs is typing out key points as I read as i feel it is a lot easier to memorize more about them in the long run . I will agree however that the game design is very subjective but I feel with there not being on definitive terminology it adds more variety and uniqueness to the games overall. I really enjoyed reading your blog.All the best
-Dillon
Hey Brian,
ReplyDeleteThis was a really good post. Your explanation of the readings was great and especially your point about how each definition for a game has a little bit of imperfection in it. I thought that was an excellent point. I'm glad that reading about the world of game design has inspired you enough that you're ready to get creating your own game.
-Casper :)
Hey again Brian!
ReplyDeleteYou have a really great blog I must say!
Reading your thoughts on game design has now opened my eyes to a new perception on what a game actually is and, for this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Keep up the amazing work with these blogerinos xD and I can't wait to read more.
Bye for now,
James.