Quick Analysis: Should Journey be Considered a Game?

"Journey is re-releasing on PlayStation 4 today. For many people it is an intense emotional experience that defines one of the best examples of what games can be. Every inch of Journey is a testament to the care and attention to detail by the hands that crafted it. It is truly one of the great artistic triumphs of our generation. But is it even really a game? -- PlayStation Enthusiast

[DarkOcelet]

The definition of a game is complex.

There are all sorts of genre out there enjoyed by millions.

Like waiting for a teddy bear to jump in.
Like running for infinite just to amass a high score.
Like hiding from creatures without being to able to fight back. AKA 99% of horror games today lol.

All I am saying it's out there enjoyed by many people so yes, it's a game and a great one too.

[ChronoJoe]

The definition of a game is complex, but that's where I lost you. Just because something is out there to be enjoyed by many people, does not necessarily make it a game.

Typical, academic definitions of a game include something that has a goal that needs to be beaten, a task of some sort with win and or lose condition. Additionally, the product must be played for enjoyment (otherwise work would be a game, etc), and obviously it needs to be interactive (driven by player control).

I have some cyberpsychology and game design textbooks someplace with some very abstract definitions, but can't be bothered to dig them up. It's something along those lines however, and yes, definitely definitely is a game under those criteria. Making it to the end is the win condition, and the journey itself is the gameplay. There's no loss condition but there doesn't always need to be, it just makes it a very easy game!

[Ashistheking]

completely agree, even though the goal in journey is vague from the offset it is pretty apparent you need to reach the top of the mountain.

[medman]

The correct question for the author of this piece to ask is, "Should I be considered a games journalist?".

[itsjustexuma]

This game is a masterpiece

[Thatguy-310]

You play it so yes it's a game

[KentBlake]

Yes.

Next question, please.

[joab777]

^this^

[Rimeskeem]

Do you use a controller to move a character around and play?

If answer is yes then it is a game

if answer is no, read the question again because you obviously didnt read it the first time.

[AudioEppa]

Journey.

Do I go to the cinema to experience it?

Can I rented on DVD?

What television network does it come on?

Oh.. it's something I can only experience on a video game console and I have to use a controller to move around and press a button to jump.. whhaat

Wait a minute, is this a video game?

Crazy...

[TheSaint]

It's on a games console and you use a game pad to move your character, pretty certain that means it's a game.

[johndoe11211]

"There are no enemies, no conflict"
Did the author and I play the same game?

Title of the article is "Should Journey be Considered a Game?" Then the author writes in the article "it doesn’t even tell you who you are playing with until the end of the GAME"

I'm sorry but this article is ridiculous. Calling this art and not a game because it doesn't follow some imaginary personal interpretation of what a game is supposed to be is ludicrous.

[flyingwombat33]

It's interactive media. Isn't that what people mean when they say 'game' now?

[Sarah_Ch]

Yes it define a new type of games. It's absolutely gorgeous game I recommend it for everyone beside ori and the blind forest.

[Black0ut]

Of course it should be considered a game, just because it's different doesn't make it otherwise. It's still the very definition of a game :\

[Summons75]

I've always been told there are no such things as stupid questions....but this is beyond a stupid question.

[madpuppy]

well, this is tiring, this is the same junk that came out when journey was released originally on the PS3. "is journey a game" blah, blah blah.
If people are enjoying it that is all that it needs to do.

[NeonEnigma]

If mom gets to call candy crush a game then i get to call journey a game.

[Vanfernal]

I always considered Journey a vegetable...

[Dark_king]

no no no tomatoes are fruits and its a tomato....

[Vanfernal]

My life is a lie. ='(

[dariux32]

One of the best games I have played. It will be remembered as one of the most emotional and though provoking experience in gaming media.