@rt_wood

1. Play is for plays sakeTwentieth century psychologists aside, play is understood to be an activity that is undertaken not for

some higher meaning or end goal. It is played for plays sake. Huizinga (1958) and Caillois (1962) among others, were adamant that no material benefit can be derived from play. It is my opinion that

material benefit can be derived from play if it is a ‘byproduct’ or ‘happy coincidence’ of play, meaning that if the outcome is not the primary reason for the play-activity, then the activity is still play. There is

no deeper meaning. There is no ‘end goal’.

@rt_wood

2. Play is free

Play is a voluntary undertaking for the players involved. A player cannot be forced into a play-state,

coerced perhaps, but not forced. Else this ceases to exist as play. Here, along with the rule based structure is the greatest difference between play and game. A player can be forced into gaming, yet

play remains voluntary. The player(s) is free to chose whether or not they play. Play is voluntary.

@rt_wood

3. Meta-CommunicationPlay is a negotiated process where players define play through context - play space, nuances etc.

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4. Play is an activity

Play is a mental and/or physical activity undertaken by the player(s).

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5. Play can be social or solitary

Play can be undertaken by an individual (dance, narrative, imaginary), or a group (multiplayer-games,

sports, role-play). Here we are returned to the idea of play forming the core of socio-cultural civilisation (Huizinga, 1958).

@rt_wood

6. Play is transformative

Both in an evolutionary and educative sense. Play changes us. When we play we are changed by the

experience. The change can be evolutionary (scientific play, Dewey et al.), educative (Hall, Montessori, Froebel etc) or experiential. Play, creates order and understanding (Huizinga, 1958;

Caillois, 1962; Sutton-Smith, 1997; Brown, 2009) through exploration and experience. Relate this to modern console games, even those games that are not simulations in some way (racing, RPG’s etc)

the player is effectively learning the algorithm behind the game and understand the patterns that form the structure of that game.

@rt_wood@rt_wood

7. Play is fun

Arguably the most important of all. If play was not fun it would not exist as play. Players have to enjoy

the process of playing.

@rt_wood

8. Play is immersive

Players become immersed in the activity of play. Either wholly or partially.

@rt_wood

Plays is a voluntary activity, either physical or mental in nature that is undertaken by one or more players without a set outcome as the primary focus of the play, and for the amusement of those that are playing. It is an immersive, transformative process that is recognised through context and agreed upon by those players involved.

@rt_wood