I think there's also a distinction in that board games or CCGs almost always require the real-world presence of other people, creating a pro-social environment. Sometimes you even have to LEAVE YOUR HOUSE to go to the local game store and hang out with the other nerds in the back room to play Magic, where you probably will establish at the very least some regular acquaintanceships. Unless you're playing a couch co-op game, digital games by and large do not include a social experience. I really don't think that online gaming with voice chat is remotely similar.
For me personally, there's a big difference in connection between me and my partner playing a couch co-op game together and me and my partner sitting next to each other on the couch each playing a different game. (I don't play online games because I prefer turn-based RPGs and because a lot of online gamers are assholes, and I play games to relax and strategize, not to get castigated by some rando half my age for not being good enough at a game.)
The researchers here argue that non-digital gaming should be added to the definition for gaming disorder, but I think there are enough differences that it shouldn't. At least, not yet.
Isn't one of the core issues the lack of a concise definition of the term 'game'? If I can recreate your board game in my 3D first-person game world, are we really talking about the same thing?
I think, at least scientifically, scientists have agreed to a definition of digital and non-digital gaming that has stuck for a while. But to your point, is the digital version of a physical game the same thing? Some researchers say yes, but I'm with you, I don't think they are.
Maybe it all has to do with the amount of information exchanged outside the game that makes the difference? To Rachel's point above, the in-person communication, including body language that can't be conveyed online. Or the way setting up the game happens and the conversations that happen during that the computer does for you automatically?
I think there's also a distinction in that board games or CCGs almost always require the real-world presence of other people, creating a pro-social environment. Sometimes you even have to LEAVE YOUR HOUSE to go to the local game store and hang out with the other nerds in the back room to play Magic, where you probably will establish at the very least some regular acquaintanceships. Unless you're playing a couch co-op game, digital games by and large do not include a social experience. I really don't think that online gaming with voice chat is remotely similar.
For me personally, there's a big difference in connection between me and my partner playing a couch co-op game together and me and my partner sitting next to each other on the couch each playing a different game. (I don't play online games because I prefer turn-based RPGs and because a lot of online gamers are assholes, and I play games to relax and strategize, not to get castigated by some rando half my age for not being good enough at a game.)
YES! Agree completely!
In my haste, I forgot to add the recently published article that inspired this post: https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2006/aop/article-10.1556-2006.2025.00101/article-10.1556-2006.2025.00101.xml
The researchers here argue that non-digital gaming should be added to the definition for gaming disorder, but I think there are enough differences that it shouldn't. At least, not yet.
Isn't one of the core issues the lack of a concise definition of the term 'game'? If I can recreate your board game in my 3D first-person game world, are we really talking about the same thing?
I think, at least scientifically, scientists have agreed to a definition of digital and non-digital gaming that has stuck for a while. But to your point, is the digital version of a physical game the same thing? Some researchers say yes, but I'm with you, I don't think they are.
Maybe it all has to do with the amount of information exchanged outside the game that makes the difference? To Rachel's point above, the in-person communication, including body language that can't be conveyed online. Or the way setting up the game happens and the conversations that happen during that the computer does for you automatically?