What is a game?

Jesper Juul in The Game, the Player, the World: Looking for a Heart of Gamesness identifies six characteristics that that games have – what he calls ‘gamesness’: Choose three games and see if they fit into these characteristics. Try and find at least one game that doesn’t fit the criteria.

Pong Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 Stronghold

1. It must have rules The rule is to hit the ball into the other players goal

The rules apply to the international football association board rules.

The only rule is to kill all the other opponents there is no time limit

2. There are variable and quantifiable outcomes

The longer the rally the quicker the ball moves and the score

The player can score a goal to change the outcome of the match or concede to lose or draw

You either win or lose

3. There will be positive/negative values assigned to the outcomes

Score a point towards winning the game. Opponent scores point to them winning

Winning a game will result in 3 points for your team and draw will result in 1 point shared between the teams and losing you gain nothing and the opponent gains three points

Being killed ends the game unless you are with allies then the game is other until all of one side is dead

4. The desired outcome requires effort

No real effort required moving paddle up and down

Needing to understand the laws of the game and to understand the buttons to pass, move shoot and many other tricks and skills that require more than one button

Starting from scratch you have to acquire all the goods and make sure people are happy it means sorting taxes to make sure people are unhappy and to control the army to kill

5. Player has an emotional attachment to the outcome

Enjoyment of beating an opponent. Winning the game can lead to winning trophy’s and also gaining gamer points online

Commanding an army and building a stronghold to victory

6. Negotiable consequences for Nothing Just to enjoy the game and not to get N/A

real life to serious