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Game

arts Maturity 11-13 Vital Level 2 Next article →

A game is a special way to play. Most people play games for fun or to relax. Sometimes, people use games to help them learn new things. Games can be a type of work for professional players. They can even be a form of art.

The Card Players by Lucas van Leyden
The Card Players by Lucas van Leyden

Some games use beautiful layouts like mahjong or solitaire. Whether playing for joy or for a big competition, games bring people together. They can be played alone or with a whole team.

Every game needs a structure and a goal. A goal is the thing you want to achieve. This might be winning a race or getting many points. Rules are the instructions that tell you how to play. Rules say what you can and cannot do during the game.

Game pieces
Game pieces

Rules are different from the goals themselves. For example, the goal of chess is checkmate. However, it is not a rule that you must checkmate every time you can. Rules make the game possible by setting limits.

People use many different tools to play games. Some games use a board and small pieces called tokens. Other games use cards or even a computer.

Kaartspelers, Theodoor Rombouts, 17de eeuw, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, 358
Kaartspelers, Theodoor Rombouts, 17de eeuw, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, 358

In places where leather is common, balls are very popular tools. This has led to famous games like soccer, basketball, and rugby. Some games do not use tools at all. Hide-and-seek and tag only use the space around you. The environment becomes the most important part of the play.

Games can test your body or your mind. Some require physical skill, like wrestling or tug of war.

Tug-of-war
Tug-of-war

Others require mental skill, like playing checkers or chess. Some games rely on strategy, which means making smart plans. Other games use chance, which means you need a bit of luck. Many games use a mix of all three. For instance, baseball uses physical skill, strategy, and sometimes luck.

UEFA-Women's Cup Final 2005 at Potsdam 1
UEFA-Women's Cup Final 2005 at Potsdam 1

This makes every game a unique challenge.

Games have been part of human life for a very long time. We can find evidence of games dating back to 2600 BC.

Gaming Board Inscribed for Amenhotep III with Separate Sliding Drawer, ca. 1390-1353 B.C.E.,49.56a-b
Gaming Board Inscribed for Amenhotep III with Separate Sliding Drawer, ca. 1390-1353 B.C.E.,49.56a-b

The Royal Game of Ur is one of the oldest known games. Other ancient games include Senet and Mancala. Because they are so old, games are a universal part of every culture. They connect people from the past to people living today. No matter where you are, you can find a way to play.

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🖼️ Images & Media (8)
File:Kaartspelers, Theodoor Rombouts, 17de eeuw, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, 358.jpg
Kaartspelers, Theodoor Rombouts, 17de...
File:Tug-of-war.jpg
Tug-of-war.jpg
File:Game pieces.jpg
Game pieces.jpg
File:Gaming Board Inscribed for Amenhotep III with Separate Sliding Drawer, ca. 1390-1353 B.C.E.,49.56a-b.jpg
Gaming Board Inscribed for Amenhotep III...
File:Math games - Big Brother Mouse activity day.jpg
Math games - Big Brother Mouse activity day.jpg
File:Clann.jpg
Clann.jpg
File:UEFA-Women's Cup Final 2005 at Potsdam 1.jpg
UEFA-Women's Cup Final 2005 at Potsdam 1.jpg
File:The Card Players by Lucas van Leyden.jpg
The Card Players by Lucas van Leyden.jpg
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