Game Theory- My Ideas on games

Games are complex things. To some this might be an obvious statement but to others this might seem like a stupid thing. To the latter games are something to play but they never really get any enjoyment out of games or if they do its not because of the game itself. Some don't even play games. I personally play very few games now adays. I want to play games like Monopoly with people but they take too long. I would love to play games on the computer but I can't get anything that will run something more than an old 2D dungeon crawler without lagging itself to bits. So what I am left with is watching people play it and reading about them. Its frustrating but thats the way it is. However it has provided me with some unique viewpoints on certain topic and I want to try and share some of those views.

Theory

"a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained."

This blog is going to be my theory on games. A system of ideas intended to explain games and what and why they are. Particularly based on principals based on things that do not directly involve games.

 This is pretty much the sum of just about everything that I am going to write. Its something that I hope that I will do and keep doing for a long while.


So first things first, Lets define games. A quick Google search gives me this as the definition

Games

"A form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck."

And for the most part I agree with this definition but I would have to disagree. I think that games are a form of expression. I also feel like things like Books, (Of course) Games, Art, ect. should all be defined as forms of expression. (I am curious what you think the expression is from the player or the creator, once I have asked the question you probably agreed with what I say of it being a form of expression for both the creator and the player but I kinda want to know what you thought in the first place.) Lets use the game Silence of the Sleep as its the first game off the top of my head. Its something that I really enjoyed seeing played. It was entertaining to watch the story unfold but I really didn't think that the gameplay was what made it really enjoyable (Its my opinion) but more the story behind that game because SPOILERS/: Everything that you did in the story was a piece of his shattered life from the party baloons to the burned remains of the house that he wanders. /SPOILERS It was something that was amazing to put together but not a game like google defines it. Another game that I think is a prime example of this is The Binding of Issac. I really don't think spoilers are necessary here as there isn't much of a story behind the game. The game follows a kid named Issac as he travels through his basements layers deeper and deeper the monsters in this game are very similar to Issac himself slowly becoming more and more mutilated and grotesque versions of himself as he goes deeper in. The items you collect make you stronger (Sometimes) but they also make you turn more like the monsters you fight. A good article to read about this is HERE as it talks about this in more detail. However what I would like you to draw away from this is that the games had to have inspiration. And the games are a window into that developers state of mind and creativity. This has been discussed with the developer of the game before as he talked about how he struggled in his childhood. Now (I would hope) that this is exaggerated but this still is how he felt. An expression of him and his emotions.

To close this blog I want to say a few things

• This is the first blog I really think I will try and maintain so any comments and suggestions would be appreciated
• I won't always be focused on the philosophical point of things I will also talk about things like:

Economy

Characters

Character Design

Selling Techniques

Game Flow

Others I can't think of right now

• Suggestions are once again something I really want. Even if it seems like something stupid I would still like to hear it.