This is one of several readings that brings the magic circle into question and specifically cites bringing outside knowledge to a game as one of the reasons the magic circle doesn’t exist. On page 414, Consalvo quotes Fine, saying that, “the ‘real world’ will always intrude, for the gaming structure is not impermeable to its outside events.” They, along with a few other prominent authors from this semester, believe that the magic circle cannot exist if prior, outside knowledge is brought into the game because the magic circle is supposed to be an entirely separate space, completely separate from the rules and conventions of real life.
While it is true that using prior knowledge of the game and previous life experiences while playing a game does tie the game more closely to real life, I believe Consalvo’s assertion that using this outside knowledge in games proves there is no magic circle is too strict. It is human nature to use whatever applicable knowledge you have of something whenever you can because it puts you at an advantage. While playing a game, you, of course, will use any previous, relevant knowledge you have of the game to your advantage, but you will do so under the pretense of the existence of a magic circle. Even though you are using prior knowledge in the game, you are still playing by its rules and are using this knowledge in a completely different way than you would in real life. Additionally, the “intrusion” of the real world in gaming does not change the fact that these games cannot reciprocate that real-world approach to you, and nothing you do will have consequences outside of the game.
Game Studies 