Download Game Boundaries

Game Boundaries
The temporary world where the rules
of the game apply, rather than the
rules of the ordinary world.
Game Boundaries
Game Boundaries
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Boundaries are what separate the game from
everything that is not the game.
Boundaries can be physical – like the edge of an
arena, playing field, or game board.
Boundaries can be conceptual – such as a social
agreement to play.
Game Boundaries
Game Boundaries
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Why are boundaries important?
Players could run anywhere they wanted to.
 Players could run as far as they could physically get
without being tackled by the other team or blocked
by random objects.
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Game Boundaries must be clearly explained in
the rules, universally adhered to by all players
and teams, and be enforced fairly.
Game Boundaries
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Boundaries of the game serve as a way to
separate everything that goes on in the game
from daily life.
While you may act the part of a cut throat
opponent against your best friend within the
boundaries of the game, you can shake hands at
the end of the game, and walk away without any
real harm to your friendship. You may even feel
closer and have a stronger friendship.
Games without clear boundaries
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Free Form Games:
Tag is usually played with loosely defined boundaries
with no detriment to the overall experience.
 Magic: The Gathering, players purchase an initial deck
with enough cards to get started, but this is only the
surface of the system. To create better decks, players
can buy or trade other cards to add to their
collection. The publisher adds new cards and
withdraws cards occasionally.
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Game Boundaries
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Most games have “closed” systems that clearly
define that which is within the game versus that
which is outside the game.
Closed games purposefully keep the in-game
elements from interacting with outside forces.
It is up to you, the Game Designer, to determine
where and how the boundaries of your game are
defined, and when or if ever to breach them.
Game Boundaries
Game Boundaries