Chris Crawford on Game Design

Chapter 4. Challenge

We measure ourselves by the challenges we face. In the universe of possibilities that encompasses what we could be, it is the challenges we face up to that delineate who we actually are. We therefore go through life seeking new challenges that permit us to expand our identities. Once a challenge has been overcome, it is no longer a challenge, and we move on to a new challenge. We seek our challenges in all spheres of our lives: social, work, romantic, and artistic. Sometimes we fail and adjust our challenges accordingly. Sometimes we succeed and raise the notch a level. But no matter the outcome, we continue our quest for challenges that expand our identities.