Categories of Play and Game Theory

Kalwar's Four Categories of Play

• Agon: Competitive play based on skill, opposing two or more sides (e.g., sports, competitive board games). Emphasizes display of excellence (arete).

• Alea: Games of chance or luck (e.g., rolling dice, drawing lots, casino games). Often involves a random number generator (RNG) in digital contexts.

• Ilinx: Play that induces vertigo, disequilibrium, or an adrenaline rush, creating a bodily sensation of being shaken (e.g., roller coasters, racing games, certain VR experiences).

• Mimicry: Role-playing, imitation, or assuming a character or role (e.g., acting, playing a character in a video game, assuming a social role).

Spectrum of Play: Paidea vs. Ludus

• These categories exist on a spectrum and often overlap rather than being discrete.

• Paidea: Characterized by pure improvisation, joy, and a lack of defined rules or structure.

• Ludus: Characterized by rigid rules, constraints, clear objectives, and defined win/loss conditions.