Log24

"This discussion, intended to define the nature and the largest common denominator of all games, has at the same time the advantage of placing their diversity in relief and enlarging very meaningfully the universe ordinarily explored when games are studied. In particular, these remarks tend to add two new domains to this universe: that of wagers and games of chance, and that of mimicry and interpretation. Yet there remain a number of games and entertainments that still have imperfectly defined characteristics— for example, kite-flying and top-spinning, puzzles such as crossword puzzles, the game of patience, horsemanship, seesaws, and certain carnival attractions."

— Caillois, Roger. 1913-1978, in
Man, Play and Games, Chapter 1, "The Definition of Play."

Translated by Meyer Barash from Les jeux et les hommes .
French original © 1958 by Librairie Gallimard, Paris.
English translation © 1961 by The Free Press of Glencoe, Inc.