What Is a Game?

Most games have tools and rules, but not all games are created equal. Some are simply a combination of both. Other games have a set number of players and can have a variety of rules and settings. For example, baseball can be played with real baseballs or a wiffleball, and it can also have three bases. Despite this fact, some games deliberately change their rules. The meta-rules, or game-specific rules, are often immutable. They determine things like the time-keeping system, the rights and responsibilities of the players, and the preset boundaries.

All games share some basic criteria. Generally, games bring people together, and are often multi-player. Most games will involve other players, but some are designed to be played alone. Most computer games are solo, and therefore have no other participants. Some games can be played only with one person. For example, if you are playing chess, you will see a chess piece in the top row, while the jacks and tokens in Monopoly are shown on the bottom.

There are many different ways to define a game, but they all have some basic criteria. Games are designed to bring people together and are essentially social. While most games involve a group of players, some can be played by one individual. Most computer games are solo, and therefore have a social element. For example, a player can play a solitaire game. In the case of computer games, the player can play a game without a partner.