[email protected]

In a message dated 5/6/04 12:22:18 PM, jrossedd@... writes:

<< LOL - I think of it in reverse! Real life has limitations that only
games can ignore, which is what makes it real life, more like a game the more
we
eliminate its limitations. And real life never includes everybody. Real life
is the clubs we're in and clubs we're not. . . >>

The definition of a game (a game as opposed to "just playing") is that there
are restrictions and limitations and the players see how well they can do
within those artificial restrictions.

Even "let's play cops and robbers" has implied rules, and kids will point out
quickly when one cheats. There aren't jetplanes in cops and robbers, for
instance. There's probably not time travel, unless they state upfront they're
playing within the restraints and realities of a certain novel or movie or
they've made something up. But without other pre-set conditions, cops and
robbers involves someone snagging a treasure, "the good guys" chase them, find them,
get it back, with some "bang bang" possibly involved, and maybe a jail from
which they can escape which adds the element of tag and a base. But kids don't
need to discuss the rules in advance, they just need to know who's who and
they go. Simplest version is just nothing but chase in the first place, but you
can "arrest" people or shoot them.

Playing a game with cards is very limited as compared with what could be done
with cards in the real world. You could clip them to a bike frame so they
make noise in the spokes or learn to throw them great distances with accuracy,
or use them folded up to keep a table from rocking or you could eat them or
start fires with them or tape them together or put them all over a w Game, rules.

Sandra