Philosopher Ludwig Wittenstein argued that no games are alike but sometimes resemble each other. He compared games including chess, tic-tac-toe, tennis and ring around the rosy. Tic-tac-toe requires mental strategy but not as much as chess. Tennis and ring around the rosy are physically demanding, but tennis is much more complex than a children’s game. He made a point of how Game A is connected to Game B. Game B is connected to Game C, but Game A is not connected to Game C. He shows how someone games may or may not have some of the same random features.
Johan Huizinga says that games construct a “magic circle”. By playing a game you are setting yourself apart from the outside world. The rules of the game are not ones that you follow when not playing the game. Games are situations were specific rules apply, but this also applies to other situations such as work, class and formal occasions. Certain rules apply to these situations that may not apply in others. He discussed how games have real world consequences. Games take up time that could be spent on other activities, work or sleeping. Games can affect our emotions. Winning can excite us; losing can make us sad or angry. Games can change our behavior and motivate us to do things we would not have done otherwise.
Individuals who play a lot of video games tend to be anti-social. Not all video games are made for single player. Online gaming has made gamers more interactive with each other. These online games have enabled two people to challenge A.I. instead of challenging each other. Games come with microphones so players can communicate with each other. Video games have improved over time. They have gone from Pacman to the Grand Theft Auto series. The more complex they become, the more time is spent on them. Gaming has become a way of life for some. Video games do influence behavior.
