A game is basically a structured form of interactive play, normally undertaken for amusement or relaxation, and occasionally used as an instructional tool or for academic assessment. Games are quite different from work, which tends to be carried out mainly for remuneration, although the two can sometimes be mixed. In work, the main purpose is productivity; in games, the objective is fun. However, in the broad spectrum of games, it is not unusual for the player, playing for enjoyment, to make a contribution to the development of the game.
Most games are first and foremost games of chance. This is true of card games, although some of the popular word games, such as Scrabble, have been adapted as “brain teasers” that have a built-in vocabulary of words. However, there are also plenty of games where luck is an important factor. In these cases, the skill with which the player is able to manipulate the forces of the dice in their favor, to get what they want, is crucial.
Most games are single player. This means that a single player game involves only the player themselves. There are some exceptions, however. For example, in bingo, all the winning moves are made by the players, and not by the bingo wheels. And, in certain multiplayer games, one player may control several different sides of the board, so that a multi-player game can be more interesting than a single player game.
Games can be very competitive or cooperative, or even non-competitive. Sometimes a game can be both competitive and cooperative; sometimes it is a matter of providing equal opportunities to all players, without the possibility of someone winning solely through skill. Some games involve cooperative efforts among players but are otherwise played just for the thrill of competition. In this case, the winners may not receive any compensation but are still rewarded for their participation.
One can find games in many different styles and types. These include arcade games, sports games, card games, word games, trivia games, musical chair games, chess, racing games, and countless others. Some of the most popular ones, such as Scrabble, are available on computer and can be played from any type of computer.
The Internet provides a great source for all types of games, from those that can be downloaded for free, to those that must be purchased. Almost every type of game can be found on the Internet. Many websites offer flash-based versions of their more complex games. Some websites offer only basic versions of their games, to be used for free. The player can also choose to play against other real people from around the world.