A videogame, by its very name is a game with a ‘video’ element attached.
‘Video’ implies a visual component, or a screen of some kind.
What is a videogame?
Newman asks what constitutes a ‘videogame’ (p.10) but he states that its complicated to explain it as one thing and lists a range of things:
- Videogames
- Computer games
- Interactive environment
Newman also quotes from Frasca (2001a:4) about what a ‘videogame’ is (p.27):
‘any forms of computer-based entertainment software, either textual or image-based, using any electronic platform such as personal computers or consoles and involving one or multiple players in a physical or networked environment’.
Rules of Play: Salen and Zimmerman.
The chart below summarizes the elements of a game.
Each Author defines games for particular reasons within specific contexts. 10 out of the 15 elements are shared by more than one author, apart from the rules and goals element. If you look at the table there is no majority agreement on any of the elements.
Salen and Zimmerman come up with their own definition (p.80) ‘A game is a system in which players engage in a artificial conflict, defined by rules, that results in quantifiable outcome.’ Salen and Zimmerman state that their definition resembles Avedon and Sutton-smith but with other authors linked as well.
In the article they also list their definitions primary ideas and show that whenever they state ‘game’ this is what they mean.
- System
- Players
- Artificial
- Conflict
- Rules
- Quantifiable outcome
Newman Ludus vs Paidea
Paidea: effectively, “play” for pleasure
Ludus: more constrained by rules, with a clear outcome (eg “winning”)
Newman states that Simcity is Paidea, where the player can create cities and Sims at his/her leisure.
Newman also considers different aspects of gameplay and games using 4 terms which Caillois adapts from Huizinga:
· Agon: Competition
· Alea: Chance/Randomness
· Llinx: Movement
· Mimicry: Simulation, Role-play and make believe.
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