Chris Crawford on Game Design

Challenge Necessitates Rules

All challenges take place in some sort of defined context, setting the conditions under which the challenge is presented. Sometimes that context is financial, in which case a contract specifies the conditions. Sometimes the challenge takes the form of a job; a great variety of factors specify what is and is not permitted, expected, and required. Some challenges are physical in nature, in which case the laws of physics define the nature of the challenge.

Most challenges are at heart voluntary efforts on our part. We don't sign a contract unless we believe ourselves able to meet its conditions. We don't accept a job offer unless we accept the challenges it offers us. And of course, all sports, in which we accept a physical ...