Learning About Video Games

Video games are a well-established medium of entertainment, generally undertaken for fun or entertainment, and occasionally used as a teaching tool. A game is normally structured as a systematic form of play, generally undertaken for entertainment or education, and at times used as an instructional tool. Games are different from work, which are often carried out for profit, and from literature, which are generally more of an expression of aesthetic or political views. In both cases the player acts to achieve a goal, although in the former it may be to achieve some objective, whereas in the latter it is typically to attain a means of achieving a certain result.

Games come in many forms, including board games, word games, puzzle games, mathematical games, musical games, team games, racing games, action games, sports games, animals games, simulation games, etc. Often the object of a game can be to pass an examination, or win a prize. Some games are so complex that players need highly sophisticated equipment to participate. However, most games can be understood by any person who has basic reading, writing and communication skills. In addition, most games are found in the public domain and are free to download.

Games can be played alone, or with a group of players often forming a “clique” and interacting through a shared activity, such as chess. The object of a game is to achieve a goal, although this goal can change throughout the course of the game. Usually, in single player games, there are two or more distinct stages, each offering increasing challenges. The object of the last stage is typically to be the winner.