Why do we play games?

 

Why do we play games? Why do you?


Some suggestions include:

  •          To amuse
  •          To entertain
  •          To stimulate
  •          To challenge ourselves

You can see these in the simple games through to more complex games.

For example in the game “Tic Tac Toe” (also known as Noughts & Crosses) amusement on long journeys can be found. The challenge is limited with limited combinations but games like Connect 4 take it a step further. Why not Connect 10?

Snakes and Ladders has a long history and was originally played to teach the moral lesson of virtue (ladders) opposed to temptation (snakes). Some play the game the opposite way round to be contrary. I’m not sure what that says about their morality?

We demand, today, more complex games, developing the basic ideas. How about ladders that can be extended and snakes that having had their heads cut off multiply all over the board? (Just a thought!)

However complex the game becomes you always need a start and a finish. We all like to achieve and accomplish things. A game is no fun if you can’t finish it – it’s just frustrating!

Quite a few games include collecting things and using what we have to advance in the game, like Monopoly and Settlers of Catan. Are they just reflecting our materialistic world? Some hoard while others invest – just as in life in general.

There has to be a mix of the random and the well-thought out phases in a game. Randomness brings surprise of good or bad and well-thought out planning can give a sense of wellbeing when things go well but can depress when that thinking is defective.

However you view games – remember they are made to be fun. If its not fun stop playing – or make your own game that is fun. If you do, why not get in touch with us? We'd love to hear about it!

Keep board gaming,

-- Andrew

 

   

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