What do you think a game is?

[Tonkka²]

In case of video games, its a digital interactive form of media which rewards the player based on their skill. Before you say anything, those games youre thinking about are called walking simulators.

[Ad Bot]

[sir dooble]

An interactive experience intended for entertainment.
thosere some long-ass words goddamn

At its core I agree with this.

All games are purely an interactive experience for entertainment, whether it's a ball game, playground game, puzzle, mind game, video game or anything else.

The only defining feature is it being interactive (which can include playing the game or even betting on it, like dog races) and intended to entertain.
Even video games made for Art are designed to entertain the mind.

I think after that a game can be anything. You can tell a story, challenge a player, dazzle with beauty, exercise an individual, earn or lose a player money, or get someone blind drunk.
So long as you have that interactive nature and a design for entertainment then it can go anywhere. The question is a bit like "What do you think a novel is?". As long as it's a story in a book (ignoring precise definitions on length) then it's a novel, and after that it can be about or include anything.

[Bacon Pancakes]

The act of virtually loving hookers

[SgtDaemon]

A game is what you want it to be.

[McJobless]

Before you say anything, those games youre thinking about are called walking simulators.

What.

I hate this term right here, because it shows the ineptitude of many gamers. There's no such thing as a "walking simulator". The game puzzles you with non-physical challenges. The problem is that majority of gamers are so used to receiving very quick instructions and feedback that once a game takes that away and forces them to think deeply, they instantly lose interest.

I'll admit that Dear Esther was a pretty poor game, but it still has the bare minimum to be classified as a game. I don't understand the hate for Gone Home.

[Flamecannon]

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GAME
sorry i just thought it befit the topic