Prizes for games

Of course, games are about players and playing. Many games are designed to have little or no competitive component, yet for some players and some games, the appeal is largely or entirely competitive.

The notion of competition is inherent in game playing; it's hard to avoid. Winning a game—even a game like solitaire in which a player plays alone—has a competitive element; one plays against oneself or against the deck. Games played between a person and a computer provide another example. In the world of games, one might expect that winning and prizes are important aspects of game playing, and they are.

In this feature, however, The Muse is not addressing prizes given to players for winning a specific game or series of games, such as one might receive for winning a bridge tournament or a crossword puzzle contest. Here, The Muse explores prizes awarded for contributions to game playing as a whole or to a particular type of game. The Muse is addressing awards for creating, conducting, fostering, or otherwise improving games played by others.