By Amir Benkelai
The keyword “game” has rich definitions both as a verb and noun, but for the purposes of the project, only the noun definitions relating to play, entertainment, and/or amusement will be discussed. This is because the project will be focusing on “game” as it pertains to playing either rule-bound or rule-relaxed activities, focusing on “play-to-earn games”. Here, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) will serve as the main tool of analysis.
It is worth noting that “game” is a word of Germanic origins, with several historic uses in Old English (Oxford English Dictionary). This is a form of English characterized by the takeover of Anglo-Saxons and presumed to have ended in 1150 (Durkin). Beginning with definition 1.2a—now obsolete and replaced with “playgame”— the word has Old English origins providing it significance as something culturally recognized since the dawn of civilizations (Oxford English Dictionary). Here, the word “game” appears in similar context to contemporary use, for example when comparing the 1685 entry with the 2007 entry.
Past definition 1.2a, definitions II.6.a and II.13.a are of importance to understanding “game” for the purposes of the project. In definition II.6.a, something closer to the modern day “video game” is found as contemporary usage of the word is linked to having sets of rules, which differ in strictness, competition, and themes of strategy, varying from skill to pure luck based. Interestingly, here only one Old English definition is found, which hints this idea of “game” began taking off around 1200-1225, which is the second entry with uncertain date of origin. This is logically in place with the development of games of such nature, now considered “classics”, for example chess (Stapczynski). However, “game” as defined at II.13.a did not appear until 1805, despite games developed before then including equipment of sort such as a “board”. The OED cites an advertisement as first using “game” in this context, which is contemporarily more recognized by players when referring to “games”.
Henceforth, contemporary understanding of “game” existed since civilization’s dawn.
Durkin, Philip. “Old English – an Overview.” Oed.com, Oxford English Dictionary, 2023, http://www.oed.com/discover/old-english-an-overview/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
Oxford English Dictionary. “Game, N. Meanings, Etymology and More | Oxford English Dictionary.” Oed.com, https://doi.org/10.1093//OED//3374114774. Oxford English Dictionary. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
Stapczynski, Colin. “History of Chess | from Early Stages to Magnus.” Chess.com, Chess.com, 8 Sept. 2019, http://www.chess.com/article/view/history-of-chess. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.