IAT 210 Chapter 8: IAT 210 Chapter 8
21 Jun 2018
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IAT 210 - Textbook - Chapter 8
Rules as a Whole
● Rules of digital game - same as programming code that makes up the game
○ Program code is highly structural, like rules of a game & like rules, code does
seem to determine what player can & cannot do in context of game
● Code of computer game not exact same thing as its rules
○ Computer code is part of medium embodying game
● Rules of digital game take number of diff forms
○ Means although there is some overlap b/w code of game program & rules of
game that program makes possible, there is not a one-to-one correspondence
b/w them
Rules
● Rules
○ Limit player action
○ Are explicit & unambiguous
○ Are shared by all players
○ Are fixed
○ Are binding
○ Are repeatable
● Many qualities seem to be intrinsic qualities of computer
○ Idea that computer code is explicit & unambiguous - true
○ Also shared & repeatable
○ Are binding & fixed
● Rules limit player action
○ Rules serve to restrict & stylize players/ actions
○ Elements of game code addressing concerns help construct rules of digital game
○ Rules constitute structural system allowing choice making to occur
Rules & Not Rules
● Most/all of program code making up digital game directly/indirectly affects experience of
game
○ Doesn’t mean code is self-identical to rules
● Aspects of program not involved in formal dynamic structure of gam are not part of game
rules
● If visual representation has impact on formal structure of game, it is part of rules
● Rules regarding visual representation help distinguish b/w private info & public info
○ Info has direct impact on player’s strategic choice-making & is therefore part of
romal structure of game
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Rules of digital game - same as programming code that makes up the game. Program code is highly structural, like rules of a game & like rules, code does seem to determine what player can & cannot do in context of game. Code of computer game not exact same thing as its rules. Computer code is part of medium embodying game. Rules of digital game take number of diff forms. Means although there is some overlap b/w code of game program & rules of game that program makes possible, there is not a one-to-one correspondence b/w them. Many qualities seem to be intrinsic qualities of computer. Idea that computer code is explicit & unambiguous - true. Rules serve to restrict & stylize players/ actions. Elements of game code addressing concerns help construct rules of digital game. Rules constitute structural system allowing choice making to occur. Most/all of program code making up digital game directly/indirectly affects experience of game.
