Non-game

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Non-game" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Part of a series on the
Video game industry
Development Producer Developer Designer Artist Programmer Design Level design Programming Engine AI Graphics Music Testing
Products Video game Specialized / alternative-paradigmatic types: Casual Erotic Indie Interactive movie Nonviolent Serious Art game Edugame Exergame Non-game Arcade cabinet Console Accessory
Publishing Markets China U.S. Japan South Korea Localization Censorship Content rating Piracy Clone Intellectual property protection Digital rights management Copy protection
Distribution and monetization Buy-to-play AAA game Expansion pack Episodic video game Early access Crowdfunding Downloadable content Games as a service Cloud gaming Free-to-play Microtransactions In-game currency Loot box gacha Season pass Battle pass Advertising in video games in-game Advergame
Related Game studies Game journalism
Lists List of video game developers Indie List of video game publishers List of video game industry people List of video game websites List of video game magazines
v t e

Art and video games
Video games as an art form Arthouse game The Art of Video Games (exhibition) Alternate reality game
Artistic expression within video games Video game art Non-game Machinima Interactive movie
Video game art creation Game art design (artists) Video game graphics (pixel art) Video game music Storytelling
Video games portal
v t e

Non-games are a class of software on the border between video games and toys. The term "non-game game" was coined by late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who describes it as "a form of entertainment that really doesn't have a winner, or even a real conclusion".^{[1][failed verification]} Will Wright had previously used the term "software toy" for the same purpose.^{[2][better source needed]} The main difference between non-games and traditional video games is the lack of structured goals, objectives, and challenges.^[3] This allows the player a greater degree of self-expression through freeform play, since they can set up their own goals to achieve. Some genres that have been considered non-games include language-learning software, digital tabletop games, puzzle games, simulation games, and art games.