What's in a Game? Part 1 - Games According to Webster

Now that the site has been launched, now is a good time to begin a theoretical look at what it means for something to be a game. And what better place to start than with the Dictionary definition of "game"?

(Do note that some terms and references not related to the subject at hand have been omitted, spefically slang.)

First, a look at what Dictionary.com had to say...

game1 /geɪm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[geym] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, adjective, gam·er, gam·est, verb, gamed, gam·ing.
–noun
1. an amusement or pastime: children's games.
3. a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators.
4. a single occasion of such an activity, or a definite portion of one: the final game of the season; a rubber of three games at bridge.
7. a particular manner or style of playing a game: Her game of chess is improving.
8. anything resembling a game, as in requiring skill, endurance, or adherence to rules: the game of diplomacy.
14. Informal. a business or profession: He's in the real-estate game.
19. to play games of chance for stakes; gamble. –verb (used with object)
24. play the game, Informal.
a. to act or play in accordance with the rules.
b. to act honorably or justly: We naively assumed that our allies would continue to play the game. <1>

...and then from Merriam-Webster..

1 a (1) : activity engaged in for diversion or amusement : PLAY

(2) : the equipment for a game b : often derisive or mocking jesting : FUN, SPORT 2 a : a procedure or strategy for gaining an end : TACTIC b : an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver : RACKET3 a (1) : a physical or mental competition conducted according to rules with the participants in direct opposition to each other (2) : a division of a larger contest

(3) : the number of points necessary to win

(4) : points scored in certain card games (as in all fours) by a player whose cards count up the highest

(5) : the manner of playing in a contest

(6) : the set of rules governing a game

(7) : a particular aspect or phase of play in a game or sport b plural : organized athletics c (1) : a field of gainful activity : LINE (2) : any activity undertaken or regarded as a contest involving rivalry, strategy, or struggle ; also : the course or period of such an activity (3) : area of expertise : SPECIALTY 3 <2>

Of the many different possible definitions, the one that caught my eye the most was Dictionary.com's definition number 3, the one that said:

"a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators.


This is the definition that I intend to work with for this section, but in my honest opinion, I think that this definition is FAR too limiting. I intend to add and subtract from this definition until I have a definitive definition that nobody could disagree on.

Essentially, I intend to do for video games what Scott McCloud did for comics. In his 1993 graphic novel/book "Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art", Scott defined comics as:

"juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information and/or to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer"<3>

When Scott McCloud was faced with questions about his definition, he noted that it wasn't what was said in the definition, but what wasn't said. By not referring to superheroes, funny animals, science fiction, romance, art styles, or anything like that, it allows the definition to encompass all of those things and more. The only thing it leaves out are single panel comics, which are considered, according to Scott, as "cartoons" instead of comics.


So how can I take the dictionary definition and turn into something more accurate like Scott McCloud did for comics?

Well that's going to be what this entire section will be about. Defining games, and from there, defining video games. This should result in a sufficient, indisputable definition that game players and game makers can both agree upon.

Getting to this conclusion will not be easy, but by keeping track of everything here, it should be possible.

~Steve "Game Scholar" Broida


1. "Game." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 06 Aug. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Game>.

2. "Game." Meriam-Webster Online (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, Eleventh Edition). Meriam-Webster Inc. 09 Aug. 2007. http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Game>.

3. "Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art." Scott McCloud. Harper Paperbacks. 27 Apr. 1994. (pg. 7-9)