Caillois

Caillois said that games create nothing of worth and are a waste of time. Do I agree with this? Well, yes and no. I believe that games are deliberately designed as a means of wasting time and escaping the real world for x amount of time, creating a feeling of freedom or psychological detachment in order to relax. It depends on what game is being played as to what emotional response is gained from it, too. If it's a war game based around killing people, it could be that the player is venting any anger or frustration they may be feeling, for example. So, whilst it is true that games create nothing of material worth I think that the very fact they were designed to be pointless turns this back on itself and they, in fact, do have worth in that they allow people to vent their pent up emotions and escape from their busy lives for whatever period of time.

Additionally, strategic games could be played as a means to sharpen wits and broaden the strategic mind which could also be seen as the game having some psychological worth. Materially, they provide no more worth than themselves. In conclusion, I neither agree nor disagree with Caillois. I think that it's a rather grey area that needs the study and interpretation of the individual.