The way that Caillois defined the term play connected a lot of dots for me. I have years of memories watching my brothers play video games, which has led me to often wonder the difference between “play” and “gaming.” Reading the criteria for play that Huizinga determined seemed to sum of the meaning of play to me completely. Through my observation of my own personal experiences with my older brothers, I have been able to witness how play is a free activity with no material interest and profit.
Within reading this article, I was also reintroduced to play as an aspect of false reality. To me, play provides an alternative reality that can be addicting and yet adventurous to those who choose to indulge. When you engage with play you are trapped and immersed in a virtual aspect of an alternative goal and objective. This desire to achieve success within the virtual world can be used as an escape to avoid having to achieve and maintain success within reality.
When one analyzes play based upon its definition, I feel as though there becomes more of an appreciation and understanding of play. When you observe someone participating in the act of play, one can develop an opinion of it being a waste of time, overly time consuming, or a complete negative on someone’s life. While all of these things may be true, when you understand the definition of play you can understand why one would indulge and participate within it. Despite play not being for profit or beneficial, one can use play for their own personal benefit or enjoyment. The use of play in this manner can change the negative narrative that I have always associated with it and provides a basis to begin to understand the amount of time that some participants choose to spend with it.
Game Studies 
When learning the use of play in such a manner i do agree with you that it can change the negative narrative that might be lingering in the air for some people, i also agree that it provides a basis to help to understand how play is more important to some individuals more than the other and how it provides an alternative reality that can being enjoyable for those who indulge in it.
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I identify with how you stated play can be seen as a negative, however, once defined it turns into something more positive or at least easier to understand the mechanics behind why do play. I think, the alternative reality that you mentioned creates a safe space for players and creates either a sense of collectivism or individualism based on the individual playing the game. I would have found a study based on which alternative realities or game genres people prefer (horror, fantasy, sci-fi).
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