A game is an activity in which players interact with one another and create their own world through play. Games can inspire amusement, a sense of adventure or a desire for accomplishment, and are often classified by the level of skill or luck required to play them. They can be played alone, in groups, or by a team; on a computer or console, or using a tabletop board, cards, dice, or other physical tools. Games can also be applied to other fields such as training, education, or development (known as gamification).
The concept of game is fractured and the definition of what constitutes a game varies widely. The common elements of game are goals, rules, and challenge. These elements are necessary in order to define a game, although the goal and challenges of a game can vary from player to player. Some researchers have defined the magic circle that a game is contained within, implying the need for participants to agree to a set of expectations and conventions when playing a game.
Other academics have explored the notion that games are a form of active entertainment, similar to sports or art, and can be enjoyed by an audience. Some games can even be competitive with a separate audience of non-players, such as a chess championship or a baseball game watched by spectators.
Video games, as an example of a game with a built-in audience, are highly varied in terms of their complexity and the extent to which they allow interaction with other players. Unlike toys, which are usually open-ended and do not require any special skill or knowledge to use, video games present players with structured challenges that may demand skill, strategy, or luck to overcome. Some games may also make use of haptic feedback to provide additional sensory stimulation, such as vibrating the controller in the player’s hands when a specific event occurs in the game.
Game designers often prototype environments, characters, and controls in the pre-production phase to see how they work and look. This can include storyboards, concept art, interface mockups, and other visual aids to flesh out the ideas behind the games that ultimately get produced. They also iterate on the gameplay to refine the elements that are most fun, engaging, and enjoyable for players to play.
Applied games are those which are designed, developed, and implemented for an intended purpose, such as for entertainment or commercialization. Other applications of games include training, education, and developmental purposes (known as gamification). The game industry is rapidly growing and expanding with the advent of virtual reality. This technology can be used to create immersive experiences for the users which are far more realistic and lifelike than any other medium can offer. Virtual reality is the latest advancement in gaming and has the potential to redefine our understanding of what a game is. It could also change the way we interact with the world around us, and how we will communicate in the future.