Game Literacy

Game
Any experience with one or more people in which everyone agrees they are playing a game

Rules
List of allowable behavior while playing a game. Sequence of actions through which game is played.

In a video game, your code enforces the rules

Mechanics
Basic actions taken in game

Stuff
The contents and details of the mechanics of your game

Skin
The outward appearance of the game. Generally does not directly affect game play.

Balance/Tension
Intentionally placing mechanics in opposition to create interesting choices

Emergent Behavior
Unpredictable player behavior that comes out of the system you design

Meaningful Choice
Choices players can make in a game that affect their gameplay

Luck
Random events that affect gameplay

Strategy
Overall collection of actions a player chooses to take

Systems
The relationships between different parts of game

Magic Circle
The alternate social space players enter while playing a game

Spectators
People not playing the game but engaged in watching it

Community
People engaged in discussing the game when its not being played

Narrative Arc
The pace at which the story of the game is revealed

Progression
How the game changes as the player makes progress