Games are often seen as mere pastimes, activities confined to playgrounds or living rooms. However, the concept of “games” extends far beyond traditional sports or board games, encompassing nearly every aspect of our lives. From social interactions to professional environments, the structured interplay among people constitutes a game, governed by rules, strategies, and goals.
What Defines a Game?
At first glance, the idea that life itself is a game might seem perplexing. How can the complexity of human existence be distilled into something as seemingly trivial as a game? The answer lies in understanding what a game truly is. A game is a system in which players engage in an artificial conflict, defined by rules, that results in a quantifiable outcome. This definition, proposed by game theorist Clark C. Abt, highlights the key elements of any game: players, conflict, rules, and outcomes.
Applying this framework to real life, we see that our daily interactions are rife with these elements. Consider a job interview. The…
