Six Essential Features of a Game

Games have been around for a long time. Jesper Juul, an American philosopher, described a classical game model and listed six essential and sufficient features of a game. He also cited the many different types of media a game could be played on, including board games, video games, and even computers. The advent of computer technology has led to many variations on the classic model, but there are still some fundamental differences among these games. Regardless of the medium, the following guidelines apply to the creation of a game:

Physical skill games are cultural universals. They occur in all societies, regardless of their size, economic status, or political standing. The only societies without games were ones where the ethnographers reported in error. Other types of games are strategic, and more likely to be found in societies with higher levels of social stratification and political integration. Politicians are likely to play games that manipulate the social relations and symbols of their societies. These types of games are the most common forms of game play.

The Roberts and Sutton-Smith theory suggests that playing games is a type of learning and assuaging activity. In societies where children are expected to obey authority, children enjoy playing games of strategy, while adults play games of chance and do not have to worry about the consequences. Therefore, playing games of chance and strategy is a great way to decompress after a stressful day. You can also use games as a stress reliever by engaging in competitive activities.