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The Competition Principle
Disciplines > Game Design > Principles > The Competition Principle Principle | Action | Discussion | See also
PrincipleWe are highly competitive and like to win. ActionSet people in competition with one another, with ultimate winners and losers. Make the criteria clear for how to win the game. The game may end and the winner determined when:
The winner may be an individual or may be a team, depending on the game. Where there are multiple players or teams, there may be a ranked order with people coming second, third, etc., or there may be a single winner and multiple losers. If the game is played in stages, such as a a tournament, at each stage there may be multiple winners. Winning is often symbolic, although there are games where more is at stake, such as in gambling or professional sports, where large sums of money may be involved. DiscussionPeople are often highly competitive, with a deep need to Win (or at least not lose). This is because winning gives us social status and losing reduces status. Note how the language of games around winning and losing is similar to the language of war, with people being victors, having strategies, destroying the enemy and so on. The joy in winning can often be seen with winners punching the air or otherwise showing delight, while losers may show dejection, although there is often pressure for them to be 'good losers' as they smile and congratulate the winners. See also |
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