What makes a game?

Contents

Introduction What makes a game? Just can’t stop? Players vs machines Epic wins, bad losers In the zone Brain games! Join the clan How long do you have? From idea to game Is gaming bad for you? Immersive gaming What’s the future of gaming? Glossary Index

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Introduction

Humans have always loved to play games, from dice games in ancient Iran over 5,000 years ago, to chess and cards in the Middle Ages. Board games were all the rage in the 19th century, and the fi rst video games appeared over 50 years ago. Today, millions of players compete in ‘massively multiplayer online role-playing games’ (MMORPGs), many spending long hours battling with friends online. There are endless ways to play, from mobile apps to virtual-reality headsets, from the moment we wake up to last thing at night. And in a world of likes, shares and followers, our whole lives can feel like a game. Now try to imagine a world without games, mods or player rankings. Is it your worst nightmare?

The winner!