Games are competitive activities in which two or more people compete against each other, usually for the amusement of both the participants and the audience. Many games are multi-player, but some are single-player activities. Computer games and solitaire games are both examples of such single-player games. The basic elements of a game include rules, challenges, and interaction.
A game can also be a flock of animals that are not raised for consumption, but for sport. Common examples include woodcocks, snipes, grouse, and black or moor game. The English word game is derived from the Spanish gamán, which means “plus” and “men-.” In other languages, game refers to games played with animals, such as gambling and gammon.
Today, games have evolved into interactive experiences, allowing players to interact with characters, objects, and environments. While traditional games were primarily skill and competitive, modern video games have evolved into artistic, deconstructed, and abstract experiences. There are even games that don’t have a storyline or a challenge at all.
Rules are one of the most important aspects of any game, because they help shape the nature of the game. Whether a game requires skill, luck, or strategy, the rules determine the outcome.