What we
mean by this is that a system, because of the interrelationship
of its elements, takes on new dimensions
when it is set in motion. As an example, think of a system
you are familiar with, such as the engine in your
car. You can examine and understand the physical
makeup of each element in the engine. You can
understand their functions and even predict how
itself, while in multiplayer games it can come from the
system, from other players, or from both. So the second
statement we can add to our de?¬? nition of games
is that they engage players in structured con?¬‚ icts.
Lastly, games resolve their uncertainty in unequal
outcomes. A fundamental part of gameplay is that it
is uncertain. However, it promises to end that uncertainty
by producing a winner or winners. Games are
not experiences designed to prove we are all equal.
In fairness to the great breadth of game systems, some
games are not exacting in their sense of closure or
in the measure of their outcome. However, even
2.14 Darfur is Dying
if you are playing a game like World of Warcra that
goes on and on ad in?¬? nitum, or a game like The Sims,
which has no speci?¬? ed objective, these games ?¬? nd
ways to provide both moments of resolution and
measurable achievement to their players.
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