What Are Games?
Games are forms of active entertainment that present players with a set of decisions. They may require skill, strategy, chance or a combination of both. They are based on a specific theme or purpose, and may involve the use of conventional tools like a board, cards, dice or video display. They can be played purely for enjoyment, for challenge or for achievement, or for social purposes. Games may have an audience of non-players, like spectators of a chess match or auto race, or they can be entirely interactive, such as hide-and-seek or tag.
The earliest game pieces were made of bones, and some historians believe that gaming is older than human culture. Some early games were religious or ritualistic in nature, but most of the modern world’s most popular games have a recreational goal.
Digital games use video displays to simulate a three-dimensional virtual world, and kids who play them can practice their visual-spatial skills. They can also learn to follow text instructions, an important learning tool for reading. Similarly, they can learn to manage time and resources in their gameplay, which helps develop critical thinking skills. Some games also help kids learn to distinguish wants from needs and to make sound financial choices.
Educators use games in their classrooms to teach a variety of subjects, including history and programming. They can also be used to test or train employees, such as in simulations of customer service interactions or medical procedures. Regardless of the subject matter, most games share common elements, such as an unpredictable finish, agreed upon rules, competition, a separate space and time, imaginary elements, established goals and interaction.
A person who makes or plays games can be called a game designer, or game developer. When designing or creating a new game, the developer needs to know how to program in a programming language. The choice of programming language depends on the type of game engine the developer is working with (Unreal Engine uses C++, Unity uses C#, and many others). The game designer must also understand the art and science of designing a game experience that is challenging, fun, interesting and rewarding to play.
Brain games are often touted as a way for people to stay mentally sharp, and research shows that they do have a positive effect on memory. However, researchers have found that playing games can also boost children’s problem-solving abilities by teaching them to take risks and learn from their mistakes. In addition, studies have shown that kids who are taught a lesson through a video game are more receptive to it than those who have the same lesson in a traditional classroom setting. This is why gamification in education is becoming so popular.