Outline of games

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to games:

A game is a structured type of play usually undertaken for entertainment or fun. Games can also be work, art or an educational tool.^[1]

Definition

Individuals participate in game-play for various reasons, depending upon the aspect the particular game covers. These include:

Education – The transmission of knowledge, skills and character traits.
- Learning analytics – Collecting data about learners for understanding and optimizing learning.
Entertainment – Activity that holds attention or gives pleasure.
- Play – Intrinsically motivated recreation.
- Social relation – Interpersonal relationship between two or more people.
Pleasure – Experience that feels good, is enjoyable.
- Hobby – A regular pleasurable activity.
Strategy – Plan to achieve goals in uncertainty.
- Tactics – Conceptual action or short series of actions with the aim of achieving a short-term goal.

Player – Participant in a game.
- Gamer – Participant in video games or tabletop games