Week 11- Gameplay

The definition of "gameplay" given by a man called Patrick Mount is 'A set of basic elements, which - when implemented in an interactive environment, ensure that the end-user can make interesting choices, thus leading to a vicarious experience which is both memorable and fun.' This definition is a very mathematical approach to solving what gameplay means and is, in my opinion, in need of further exploration.
This seems to imply that gameplay is governed by rules set out by the creators of the game: This does not immediately sound fun. However, the rules of a game should allow the player to perform exciting actions and provide a way in which the player can perform these things. In order for a character to run and jump in a game rules need to be in place within the environment to make sure that this happens. Games tend to give the player a sense of freedom and exploration when in fact they are performing preset actions in a game engine or are exploring within a set of rules created in order to stop the illusion becoming ruined.

If you seach for the definition of 'play' on a definitions site such as dictionary.com you will find a incredibly long list of definitions and context examples. It seems to be one of the most vague words in the English language which seems to cover actions such as pretending, having fun and doing any number of things. In the context of games, gameplay is anything that the player controls or interacts with in order to affect what is happening in the game.

Can these ideas of play be programmed into a game? Are we really playing them at all? I recently showed Half Life 2 to my Step-Grandmother in order that she could understand what it was my course was all about and I was challenged when she asked me "Is this really playing? It is not playing in the same way that you would on a board game or a sport: you seem to be living out a little life". My Mum's immediate responce seemed to grasp what 'Gameplay' is perfectly. She said "The person playing has to overcome several challenges in the same way you would overcome the challenge of solving a puzzle or running a race and by completing that challenge the game becomes fun or satisfying".