[games_access] question game definition

[d. michelle hinn]

Sandra,

The thing is...no one really agrees WHAT a game 
is across all the academic disciplines and even 
in the industry. My personal definition when 
people ask me if a one switch version of a 
mainstream game is still a game? I ask "does the 
gamer think it's a game?" If so? Who are we to 
say that it is not a game for them? That's 
obviously colored by my experience with gamers 
with disabilities. And the same goes for that 
easy to define (ha!) "fun" -- does the person say 
that they are having fun? Then maybe they are 
even if you don't think it is or it doesn't 
follow a definition to the letter.

I mean Twister can be an exergame. And there's no 
e-version of that as far as I know. But even if 
there is...is it more or less immersive than the 
traditional mat on the floor version? Does it 
matter?

So look for board/home games that are exercise 
oriented. Tag. Hopscotch. Jump rope (when a 
competition surrounds it). Non-electronic sports 
-- football (either version), olympic sports 
(they call them the "olympic games" after all). 
Aren't these exergames? So that's where I'd 
challenge your expert...do these now have names 
like "retro-non-electronic-exergames?"

As far as other games...board games, card 
games...all games. Chess...super old game! And 
when it translates to the battlefield...is that 
now a war game/exergame? Cynical I know...but 
Chess, Risk, strategy games...they play out in 
real life.

Then...there's the definition of "exercise" -- 
does that only mean physical movement? No...

Just my thoughts...sorry to make things more 
complex but I find myself getting grouchier over 
the years over definitions of things. I 
understand where you are coming from! But I have 
seen too much time wasted on arguing about 
definitions that result in nothing other than 
people still not agreeing when we could be 
spending time actually doing things like making 
"games" (however you define that!). :)

Michelle

>Hi Richard,
>
>Richard wrote:
>>  What I find much more
>>  interesting, concerning a definition, is whether or not exergames are
>>  specifically designed games to stimulate exercise. Or is this just a
>>  category and do exergames include any game in which physical exercise is
>>  involved?
>
>This is also very interesting.
>The problem is that we have exergame expert who have different opinions.
>Most of the experts started with exergaming as computer games for exercise.
>We have exergame that are made for exercise.
>Exergames that have a gameplay that provide exercise.
>Exergames that provide exercise because they want to increase the immersion.
>...
>We have a mix of everything that is possible.
>
>For example "Demor": This can also be an exergame.
>But I do not think that it was developed for exercise.
>
>Blind Hero can also be called an exergame.
>For example for person who have to train their hands.
>
>Best regards,
>Sandra
>
>
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