A game is a system in which players engage in an artificial conflict, defined by rules, that results in a quantifiable outcome. (Salen + Zimmerman 2004, p80).

1. It is useful to understand games in general.
2. We can rapidly explore paper-based games.
3. We can explore rules as interconnected systems.
4. We can explore "artificial conflict".
5. We can explore knowable outcomes.
6. We should remember fun, and joy.
7. And, in the cases of artificial conflict, we should remember emotional engagement.