Game Design and System (2015)
*I was going through my old files and found this gem.

Games are voluntary training grounds for creating imbalanced power dynamics within set rules—a struggle for dominance.
Elliot Avedon, Brian Sutton-Smith
Games are intrinsic structures of interaction that drive players toward purposeful struggle.
Greg Costikyan
A game is a closed, normalized system where players engage in structured conflict—always resolving into unequal power dynamics.
Tracy Fullerton, Chris Swain, Steven Hoffman
*Translaed into English. Not the Original Text.



1. Games begin voluntarily.
2. They have purposes.
3. Conflicts exist.
4. Rules exist.
5. Imbalanced power dynamics - some can lose or win
6. Games are interactive.
7. Challenges exist (either given or created by players)
8. Internal values are created.
9. Players engage.
10. Games are closed, normalized system.


a game is a problem-solving activity, approached with a playful attitude.
Jesse Schell




