games

WHAT KEEPS SOMEONE PLAYING?

As a child, games where you life; being apply to use your imagination making up the area, rules, and action as you go. The change has begun when you get older, even playing with board and card games there are sets of rules. But do we ever abide by them if we want to play?

The reason for games (which I play) is usually for the challenge and because I was bored, but once you start playing it gets so intense that you just have so much fun with the people around you. It the social aspect that draws me in. That board game becomes that ‘magic circle’ and the people involved become your competition. By playing video games the magic circle is just between the player and the screen; mostly without any light pauses or interaction, just having their object.

But what makes the game fun?

Monopoly gives the players that trust and I can say that I am a spoilt-sport always wanting to be the banker but no one knows (but I am different from the theorist Salen and Zimmerman definition.)I cheat on a sly usually for a laugh, but within the gaming world it is a very serious view. The rules of the game change to the surface like the change of the traditional game to the online version. Does it still have that fun impact as if you were in the magic circle of someone’s living room?

Paida is when the rules change as you go; the wild free form and improvisation e.g. Hide &Seek is finding a new places and able to change you position once you don’t get caught.

Ludus is being aware of the rules, and having to abide by them but it changes on the surface e.g. Blackjack rules in a casino is different to a no money game, or Boxing in a ring to street fighting.

I prefer paida just because I never liked to be told what to do. This is why video games don’t get me, the rules have to be followed, and each button has an action and control and cannot be changed. This doesn’t make it fun! The only video game I can play is Street Fighter and Super Mario; these are the ideology of Roger Caillois from his book Man play games and what necessary for a successful game.

Agon means the competition, what prize you achieve whether if its points or just pride of betting others.

Alea is the chances you are allowed to have and how many lives you can use, some games you can die endless but it doesn’t create a challenge.

Mimany is the masks and new characters you can play

Ilinx is the vertigo (is like Mario Kart when you get hit and you spin out of control and you can’t do anything about it till you stop.)

None the less the reason games should be played is for fun, challenge, good narrative, objective and how you interact. However that happens you’re the only person that will keep playing.