In the gaming world we are expected to abide by a set of rules and have a certain mindset in order to play the game the right way. We are entering a magic circle, in other words, the space of play that defines being in play and out of play.
Examples of magic circles include a football pitch, the opera and the video game. In a football match, the boundaries are the edges of the pitch and players are expected to follow the rules of the game for the 90 minute duration of it. Imagine a footballer is about to score a goal, but instead of shooting he picks up the ball and places it in the goal area.In this situation, the footballer is not in the magic circle because he is not abiding by the rules.
In relation to video games, the magic circle has 4 types of game play, according to Roger Caillois;
1. Agon (Competition) - Games involving competitive play where the aim is to win.
2. Alea (Chance) - The game of dice, This is all games that are based on a decision independent of the player. The player has no control over what the outcome may be and winning is all down to fate.
3. Mimicry (Simulation) - Games where the subject makes believe or makes others believe that he is someone other than himself.
4. Ilinx (Vertigo) - Games that attempt to destroy the stability of perception.
Espen Aarseth came up with the theory of Aporia and Epiphany. These are studied by looking at the qualitative and sociological analysis of the game.
Aporia describes being the game whilst epiphany is all about finding the solution.
Looking at the game Pacman, the magic circle of this game is the screen itself. Players must follow the rules of keeping within the walls of the game in order to win. The basic rule of this game is to control Pacman around a maze full of dots and pellets. However there are 4 ghosts in the maze who are out to get Pacman, so in order to win the game you have to complete the maze without getting caught by these ghosts. In comparison to a board game, the magic circle is smaller as it is just you and a computer screen. The aporias of this game will be the ghosts chasing Pacman and the walls and its dead ends. Whilst the epiphany of this game is getting the power pills in order to avoid the ghosts.
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