I can’t believe how many times I have this discussion/argument with people. Most of the time it is with people who’ve not spent a sufficient amount of time in SL to be able to make the claim that is or is not a game.
I refer everyone to Prad’s post on the matter, I couldn’t say it any better than he does. Go ahead I’ll wait…..
So, tell me how SL is a game. There is no winner or loser. There is no *quest* or *goal*. There are no points or scoring systems. So how is it a game? I log in everyday, I work, I interact with people socially, I relax and hang out with friends, I shop, I listen to music, I take photographs. I don’t see anything there that would suggest this was a game. In fact it sounds remarkably like what I do in RL. The difference? I do it virtually in SL and interact with people all over the world that I couldn’t do in RL.
So please, tell me how SL is a game? Yes there are games within SL. Contests to win and virtual games to play. That does not make SL a game. If those were the rules you’d have to say that RL was a game.
I’m tired of having to explain it over and over again.
Most emphatically: it is NOT a game. I don’t play games. I spend hours in SL.
Virtual
Computing and information technology
The word virtual has been applied to computing and information technology with various meanings. It is used of software systems that act as if they were hardware systems (virtual machine, virtual memory, virtual disk), of computer-generated simulations of reality (virtual reality), and of internet gaming environments wherein entire worlds are created (virtual world). Other applications of the word are being found constantly in this fast expanding field, such as virtual community, and virtual library.
A game is a structured activity, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more concerned with the expression of ideas. However, the distinction is not clear-cut, and many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports/games) or art (such as jigsaw puzzles or games involving an artistic layout such as Mah-jongg solitaire).
Game
Key components of games are goals, rules, challenge, and interaction. Games generally involve mental or physical stimulation, and often both. Many games help develop practical skills, serve as a form of exercise, or otherwise perform an educational, simulational or psychological role.
Sounds like a game to me
Ok, we’ll try this again. Taking your definitions directly from your comment:
“A game is a structured activity, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool.”
There is no “structured activity” in SL beyond what each resident creates for themselves. The day you log in for the first time there is no activity in which you are required to perform.
Game
“Key components of games are goals, rules, challenge, and interaction.”
Yes SL has rules, they are called the terms of service and would be easily most compared to laws. So while they are rules, they are meant to define appropriate behaviour.
“Games generally involve mental or physical stimulation, and often both.”
Mental stimulation is certainly available within SL if one chooses to look for it. I don’t know how much physical stimulation you’ll get sitting at your computer staring at the screen.
“Many games help develop practical skills, serve as a form of exercise, or otherwise perform an educational, simulational or psychological role.”
Practical skills: If you are referring to computer skills then yes, SL will help perfect your typing.
Exercise: How much exercise does one get sitting in front of a computer screen?
Education: If you wish to learn, there are a wealth of resources within SL. It’s up to you go to search them out.
Simulational: Sure, if you are so inclined and wish to build a nuclear submarine you can certainly try. In fact, if you wish to, you can build anything you’d like.
Psychological: Sure SL is loaded with psycho-paths. So is RL and I don’t call RL a game.
Your argument does not fit Mark. The definition of the word *Game* will never fit SL or the metaverse in general. You shouldn’t try to argue on a topic of which you have not understanding.
I think it fits more than not fit BL. I do have an understanding.
Look at all that you have learned. You are an architect now!!!
The hand you use your mouse with is propably quicker. Your typing skills must have improved. You started a blog.
There is a challenge. When you first started, the challenge was to not walk like you had a stick up your ass. Now look at you! This beautiful sim that owns property and a bar. Was it a challenge? Did you learn anything? Did you interact? If it didn’t stimulate you, would you spend hours on it?
We can go back and forth on this. I love the discussion though. I hope others reply. I think mega users will agree with you. Maybe a better word would be hobby?
Try to let go of that bitterness you still have.
Second life is a virtual world, or a metaverse. You can treat it like a game, but if you do, expect to be treated as a fake person with no real feelings.
>Key components of games are goals, rules, challenge, and interaction. Games >generally involve mental or physical stimulation, and often both.
Apparently my RL job is a game
My SL has no goals, rules, or challenges but it does have some interaction. I derive mental stimulation from talking to other people but I still don’t find that makes it feel like a game. I often take a big time-out from SL to play actual video games.
I think you can make SL a game but it’s not a requirement. I do play games inside SL but it’s mostly just a place for me to hang around and talk to people in.
If you want, it’s a game but if you don’t want it to be , it’s not.
I’m not clear on why it so upsets you, or even why it matters, if people call it a game? So what? I think the word “game” is a loose concept easily adapted to the users purpose. Second Life is a lot of different things to a lot of different people – for some it is a game and I see nothing wrong with that, for others it is a deep meaningful experience, fine. But what I don’t get is why it matters what people call it..?
It’s a game and a virtual world.
There. Situation Solving Sam to the rescue once again
I get upset Lands when I’m told my opinion, voiced on my blog is wrong. It is afterall my opinion and this is my blog. You don’t need to agree with me by any means but telling me I’m wrong and then calling me bitter is a bit much.
And we all are expressing our opinion. It doesn’t matter if there is a right or wrong, it’s what you think. Nobody said you were wrong. You know where the bitter comment is coming from. We could be enjoying NASCAR talk.
“If those were the rules you’d have to say that RL was a game.”
I think that’s the thing. Like with SL, there are games irl. Yet, most people say that life is not ‘just a game’. Those irl that would say that would likely not be taken seriously or considered anyone of a stable character to trust with important things because they come off sounding irresponsible.
I only claim that it is likewise in SL. If a person treats SL as ‘just a game’, then they don’t really care about others around them, or at the very least, have a very shallow view about those they interact with. I would not trust someone who claims SL as being ‘just a game’ with anything important, and think they merit being suspect of potential fowl play. After all, what things would prevent them from not treating your virtual life as merely a pixel person from GTA or whatever?