What is Games: Definition and 169 Discussions

A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements. However, the distinction is not clear-cut, and many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (such as jigsaw puzzles or games involving an artistic layout such as Mahjong, solitaire, or some video games).
Games are sometimes played purely for enjoyment, sometimes for achievement or reward as well. They can be played alone, in teams, or online; by amateurs or by professionals. The players may have an audience of non-players, such as when people are entertained by watching a chess championship. On the other hand, players in a game may constitute their own audience as they take their turn to play. Often, part of the entertainment for children playing a game is deciding who is part of their audience and who is a player.
Key components of games are goals, rules, challenge, and interaction. Games generally involve mental or physical stimulation, and often both. Many games help develop practical skills, serve as a form of exercise, or otherwise perform an educational, simulational, or psychological role.
Attested as early as 2600 BC, games are a universal part of human experience and present in all cultures. The Royal Game of Ur, Senet, and Mancala are some of the oldest known games.

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  1. B

    B Which probability calculation is "more correct" in Baccarat games?

    Hello, this question isnt really much about calculation but rather which view point is more correct. See, in a gambling game called Baccarat a game is played where a player A ("player") and a player B ("bank") draw cards according to a fixed ruleset from a given card pot. First A and B both...
  2. A

    Tricycle racing a good contender in future Olympic games?

    Tricycle Do you feel Tricycle racing can be considered a good contender as a potential game in future Olympic? Can Tricycle offers good speed to the cyclist?
  3. A

    New Olympic games Logo Designs -- Can Machine Learning help?

    Olympic games logo We have the beautiful logo designed for Olympic games. Five rings of different colours each representing the Continent. Significance of friendship between all continents. Countries representing the Olympic games from various continents. Questions 1 The Origin of this Olympic...
  4. berkeman

    Exploring the Impact of Video Games on Dream Flying Experiences

    I haven't played many video games beyond the early Pong games in undergrad and some Flight Simulators after I graduated. But my kids and grandkids are definitely part of the video game generation, and after watching some of those games and some advertisements today on TV that had the players...
  5. S

    Lottery physics: ball placement and positions in lottery games

    Summary:: Lottery physics- balls placement and positions Hi all, I am not a Ph.D. in physics or even close to that, I only had some physics classes when I was at high school . the thing is that I like to examine things. I came across the lottery one time in my life and heard many assumptions...
  6. A

    I Housie Game redesigning

    https://www.google.com/search?q=housie+game&sxsrf=AOaemvL_lIxvNy-2ufp2Ax01Q6aZ1Mh6qQ:1636561781166&source=hp&ei=dfOLYcL0Btn4hwPKzbfwCA&gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TDaqNC83yTYyYPTizsgvLc5MVUhPzE0FAHSPCJk&oq=Housie+game&gs_lcp=ChFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocBABGAAyCAguEIAEELEDMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCAB...
  7. fluidistic

    Video games have become a joke (way too easy to finish)

    I've been somewhat of a gamer when I was younger (over 20 years ago), and I have recently played a few recent video games. I feel they have become a total joke, they are so much easier than before that there is no fun anymore. Back in the days, completing a level was a real challenge (super...
  8. W

    I Just for fun: math brain teaser

    My answer looks like this (translating from my pen+paper notepad): a+b = a+a*b 1+1*4=5 2+2*5=12 3+3*6=21 8+8*11=96 my friend got 40, which I can also see. I am not sure who is correct. Please let me know and let’s put our heads together and have fun.
  9. bagasme

    Playing Video Games in a Language You Don't Understand

    Hi, I have PlayStation(R) 2 gaming console on my house. It is considered legacy per today's standard (as there are new-generation PlayStation(R) 5), but still popular here. One of games that I installed on the console is Sengoku Basara. The gameplay is similar to Dynasty Warriors, but I won't...
  10. T

    Do strategy games and real time strategy games improve brain function?

    Hi, just wanting to know the answer to this. What parts of the brain do playing these games stimulate? What effects do playing these games have on the brain? what brain functions do they improve or strengthen? more specifically I mean the games call to power 1 and/or empire Earth 1. Note that i...
  11. B

    Chess VS Video Games.... Which Is Easier To Quit?

    Personally I think it is chess. Which also makes it relatively safer to play. Video games are designed to suck up hours of time, while chess, if challenging enough, is such a mental workout that one game is enough. Both chess and video games can be addictive, but video games are often designed...
  12. R

    How do you acquire your PC games? (If you play them)

    I'm trying to have an in depth look and compare and contrast the various ways someone could get their PC games since it isn't always possible to get PC games physically and nowadays even if you do there are some caveats due to increasing sizes of games. At the same time I'm a bit of an old timer...
  13. S

    Help learning physics through games?

    Summary: Anyone know any games that legitimately help when trying to understand basic concepts of physics? So I've been into studying physics for a while now but i feel like my attention span is holding me back. Almost nothing sticks. I always end up getting bored and playing video games or...
  14. CynicusRex

    Can the big bang be compared to how video games start?

    If I understand correctly, when we interpret our data about the universe it seems the big bang came from nothing and threw out everything. Is it reasonable to compare this to a video game? Games also start from nothing and have suddenly loaded everything. If the game's AI was able to analyze...
  15. C

    Two teams, A and B, are playing a series of games

    My attempt I used negative binomial to solve the problem, however I'm left with a polynomial that is difficult to solve? Is there any other way to approach this problem? I used the inequality because I'm trying to find the range of p. Since the probability of winning the series for team...
  16. Drakkith

    Awesome Games Done Quick 2019: Watch the Ultimate Speedrunning Charity Marathon!

    The annual Awesome Games Done Quick speedrunning charity marathon is here! Everyone who enjoys video games should tune into watch your favorite games get destroyed by skilled speedrunners all week long. All proceeds go to charity, so stop by and donate a buck or two! Watch here...
  17. T

    The physical concepts in the double jump of the video games

    Hi friends, I'm just thinking, in some video games, the characters have a double jump mechanical. What's the physics concepts behind this? I mean, it's really possible explain it? I saw a brazilian video about science in games in which the author talks about air resistance. It's a curious...
  18. L

    I Estimating a mean from games of ruin

    Imagine a gambler playing a casino game with fixed bet, fixed odds, no skill, and a starting bankroll, ##M_0##. She plays until she can no longer afford to bet and records only how many bets she was able to make, ##N_0##, until she could not afford to bet. Each day she goes back to the casino...
  19. T

    Help with an Apollo space program flight simulation guide

    Hi all, This is my first time posting on this forum. I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question so apologies in advance. Perhaps someone could recommend a more appropriate forum for me to post this on. I'm working on creating documentation for a simulation. It's an Apollo...
  20. D

    MHB Proper method to calculate damage per second for Role Playing Games

    A friend and I have reached a disagreement, and truly neither of us can come up with the math to prove one of us right or wrong. So I pose the question in here for someone to offer me a proof of which theory is correct. The question is about what is the proper way to calculate damage per...
  21. T

    Why is it called best out of x number of games?

    In competitions where it's "best out of x number of games", why can't they instead just say "first to x"? If it's best out of 33 you need to do a litte math to understand that it's first to 17, so why can't they say that from the get-go instead?
  22. Greg Bernhardt

    Favorite Board Games: Family Fun with Dominos, Settlers of Catan, Risk & More

    When I think of holidays I think of "board" games. My family always plays one after dinner. Lately we play a lot of dominos, but for board games we like Settlers of Catan, Risk, Sorry and the classic Trival Pursuit. What are you go to board games? I'm hoping to get Dead of Winter and King of...
  23. ISamson

    Studying What to do if you get distracted by video games

    What to do if you get distracted by video games every time I have free unlimited wifi and a laptop with me? Advice - thank you.
  24. Drakkith

    Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) 2017

    It's that time again! Summer Games Done Quick is starting tomorrow! What is SGDQ you ask? I'll let wiki do the talking: Games Done Quick is a semiannual video game speedrun charity marathon held in the United States, originally organized by the Speed Demos Archive and Speedruns Live...
  25. Kaura

    I Battle Projections: Predicting Probabilities in Games

    This is a rather odd topic but recently when playing games, mostly first person shooters, I have formed a curiosity about "Battle Projections" or the ability to predict probabilities based on in game variables. For example, if you were spectating a round of no respawn four versus four death...
  26. P

    Medical Is it possible to improve your reflexes by playing video games?

    And hand eye coordination by playing first person shooters videogames like halo or cod?
  27. Bandersnatch

    Describe your work like you're a 6 year old

    Inspired by this SMBC comic: I can read things some people can't read so I read them and then write them again only now those people can read it. Now's your turn.
  28. K

    B Different Value In These Two Gambling Games?

    So it's been such a long time since I studied statistics at school/college/university that I'm rusty to say the least and hoped you guys could help me out with this. Something is telling me that these two games must have a different value despite being similar, but if you brilliant folks could...
  29. T

    I Finite promise games, shock of my life

    I am shocked after reading this: http://googology.wikia.com/wiki/Finite_promise_games So, let's take strong Goodstein function. It is total, but this fact is unprovable in Peano Arithmetics. No problem, I just understand that PA is too weak. Goodstein function is total, just take stronger...
  30. V

    Solve Connect Four Game Homework with C#

    Homework Statement Trying to make the connect four game on C#. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a SolutionI need to make the horizontal check work which it is not working and I do not know why? I need to also make the vertical check work for the other player and am not sure why its not working...
  31. Israel Eydelson

    How do we simulate time flow in video games? EE/PHYS

    Hi Everyone, I am very ignorant and uneducated but I have a few questions about a difficult thought experiment. 'How does time flow in a video game/simulation or even in our imagination in relativistic terms?' Let's say a processor operating at 4.2 Ghz, 42 billion instructions per second at...
  32. J

    How much physics in Fallout (games)

    i was just thinking their isn't a thread for this that i have seen. i had no idea what forum to use and so i thought id start one here.
  33. S

    Exploring the World of Physics with Kimberly Jill

    My name is Kimberly Jill known as Shelkomor on games and forums. Actual student in Paris' Marie Curie university. Shall I visit this site freely. Thank you for sharing informations about Physics.
  34. Anton Alice

    Good Games for Sleep: Find the Perfect Solution

    Does anyone know a game, that is good for sleep? I have quite a signifcant problem with sleeping, and I would like to try out that, if there is something around. should not be too aggressive. Something that can be played on a laptop, while lying in bed. I tried Dirt Rally. Well, even if I sit...
  35. wololo

    Tree Data Structures & Minimax Algorithm for Games

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Tree data structures. I think it might also have something to do with minimax algorithm, but it was only mentioned once and never discussed extensively in class so I doubt it is required. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] If both players play as well as...
  36. L

    Anybody here wanna play some chess?

    If so, I have an account on lichess.org. My username on that site is mulah_aprilclimate. If you're in the mood to play, please shoot me a PM and let me know you're from physicsforums! My US Chess Federation rating was between 1800 and 1900, but I haven't played in any tournaments in over a...
  37. L

    Are Logic Games Necessary for Success on the LSAT?

    I just bought a book that teaches you how to solve the logic games found in the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). Just for clarity, I am not planning to take the LSAT, I was just curious because I like logic games. I'm through about 1/4 of the book, and it's quite interesting indeed. However...
  38. Drakkith

    Summer Games Done Quick (Video Game Speedrunning)

    For anyone who enjoys watching speedruns of video games, new and old, the annual Summer Games Done Quick charity event just started today. You can watch live here: http://www.twitch.tv/gamesdonequick The schedule of games can be found here: https://gamesdonequick.com/schedule See you there!
  39. V

    How can I simulate Parrondo's games in NetLogo?

    Hi guys, how do you do? I'm sorry to ask your help, (again!) but I'm having trouble using NetLogo. I'd like to "play" with this program, to run simulations, but I have no idea how I can do it. I wrote an article about Parrondo's games ( nothing special! ). Now, I'd like to try creating a new...
  40. E

    Troubleshooting Low Ping in Online Video Games

    My ping is not visible on the in-game scoreboard in games like battlefield 4 and battlefield hardline. And sometimes the server auto-admin kicks me because of a sever rule against not having a ping. I've tried troubleshooting this problem with no success. Please help me out!
  41. Borek

    Computer games based on physics engines

    This is quite a serious question, I was asked to write few words about a similar game (not officially published yet) and I started to wonder what were the earlier programs of this type. This is partly engineering and partly physics problem. Many computer games use some kind of physics engines...
  42. E

    Online Physics Games & Simulations

    Does anyone know of any good online physics games or simulations?
  43. E

    Programs or games that uses GR

    Are there software like games or simulations where General Relativity is used or are most based on Newtonian spacetime? I wonder what would be the results or difference if GR based on diffeomorphism invariance is used on the moving subjects and objects in the games versus that of basing them on...
  44. J

    Are my equations for two player zero-sum games correct?

    I will be glad if someone can confirm if my equations for the two player zero-sum games in the question which is attached as an image are correct. I have also attached my answer. Thanks for the help.
  45. C

    Mathematical Game Theory (Drawing gametree for Tic-Tac-Toe

    Homework Statement Draw out the game tree for tic-tac-toe Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I'm just thinking about it and I don't know how to start. To draw out the entire gametree, we'd have thousands and thousands of branches. So based on symmetry there is only 3 starting points...
  46. MathematicalPhysicist

    Predictability of video/pc games.

    I just wanted to ask quite a straightforward question (which could be addressed also to other computer programmes). Provided the hardware works as it should, and nothing is wrong with it, can a video game have some stuff that occur in it that the coders didn't anticipate it to happen? For...
  47. G

    I love learning but games and other distractions get in the way help

    I'm a 15 year old boy in high school and I have a sever case of ADHD but I take medicine for it. I love learning but lately I've noticed how much time games have gotten in the way. It's become a problem because I will be playing a game and I will know that it's taking away precious learning time...
  48. A

    Accuracy of timing in sports (Olympic Games)

    Hello all, If you have been watching the olympic games lately you could have seen that in the past week it has occurred twice that an athlete won (and another lost) a gold medal by a time difference of a few 1000th of a second. Both occurrences where in speed skating (i.e. the 500m and 1500m...
  49. M

    Exact number of possible chess games

    I've googled this and it appears that there doesn't seem to be an exact number of games. Assume that no illegal moves are allowed, peices must start in their correct squares and each game lasts a total of 40 moves. Is there a way to work out exactly how many 40 move games exist? There are a...
  50. P

    Could Games be the Most Effective Strategy of Learning Physics?

    As you can see, children of this generation really misuse a games purpose. When, you can study things, and find out the comparisons of the physics to the "law of physics". You see, you can find the gravitational acceleration in just a building game. I'll speak more later
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