Using various terms you are able to describe the gameplay of games in one word.
Agon: Competition
Alea: Chance.Randomness
Ilinx: Movement
Mimicry: Simulation, Makebelieve, role-play
Paidea: Play for pleasure, little/no constraints
Ludus: Constrained by rules, clear outcome
Games which offer Paidea and Ludus gameplay:
Probably one of the best modern examples of a paidea game with ludus elements is the recently released Dead Rising 2. Dead Rising 2 is essentially a sandbox zombie apocalypse game that takes place in Fortune City. Fans of the game will immediately know what i mean by "ludus" elements because it is often one of the most contriversial aspects of the game, it seems that some people love it and some people hate it. I am ofcourse talking about the dreaded "Time Limit". I am in the latter catagory. They have constructed a sandbox world that is extremely fun to explore and navigate, yet they insisnt on pushing you through the game, barely giving you time to look at your surroundings before you have to rush off in order to maintain the various time restrictive checkpoints.
Another example of a paidea game is Fallout 3. This one is much more enjoyable for me, simply because Bethesda (the makers of Fallout 3) creates games that are the definition of freedom. You are free to explore the world at your own pace, take as much time as you need and then if you choose, you can start one of the many missions and side missions that are scattered throughout the game world.
Might the rushing about in _Dead Rising 2_, necessitated by the time limit, be considered a form of ilinx?
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