SKG | What are serviced games and how to protect them.

Here is another overcooked blog. I have included two versions of the Benji game example and explanation as it's hard to write it cohesively. This is what I get for not having my writings peer reviewed and having other stuff to do.

Context: https://www.stopkillinggames.com/

I'm pretty sure this campaign might actually be limiting itself. Now I think it's for the better as challenging every industry beyond video games on consumer rights and ownership is a death sentence, but I think we should be aware of core rules and designs of games that really make it possible rather than laws or lack of laws. 

Before getting to the serviced game lets get an important clarification out of the way. If you don't play a game by it's rules or let it effect how you towards victory or defeat, you aren't playing the game. Now I have personally favored against this notion, but it's this very conjecture that makes it so serviced games even exist. We'll get to the details of why later, but let me give you my definition of a serviced game.

A serviced game is one where the game is served rather than given. They are as such because the act of following the rules depend on a service rather than tradable goods or information. 

Let's make a simple service game for example:

The Benji's Server Game:

That's it. Now this may not be a good game right now, but this is what I would call the minimum on what makes a game a service game. 

The first key part is that it's my server and not yours. There can be games that run off of services, but as long as a specific party is mentioned in the rules to be key to playing the game instead of possibly ran by anyone else, then the game is serviced. 

Another key part is that my server makes decisions/rules rather than following them. Even if a game sp (unfinished)

Version 2:

The Benji Game:

That's it. Now this may not be a good game right now, but this is what I would call the minimum on what makes a game a service game. 

The key part is that Benji has made themselves part of the game. In non-serviced games, the only parties involved in a game are its players. Rules are followed because of the agreement for players to follow those rules. Yet as long as those players agree, they can change the rules how they want. It's even easier with single-player games where as long as the player isn't involving themselves in other player experiences (ex: proclaiming achievements/bragging rights) they can do whatever they want without cheating. Their computer running a game serves them after all so rules are just suggestions. Sure they are now part of their own cannon based on another, but it's no matter to anyone else besides them unless they make it someone else's matter. Unlike single-player games though, Benji's game requires an agreement with Benji. Now the game depends on one specific person's agreement which must be given or served.

The biggest issue with serviced game is what happens when that server is gone. If they don't serve the game, then the game can't be played. For preservationists, this is not something that can be fixed. 

Alright, now that the overcooked parts are past, the too long didn't finish conclusion is that games never can last forever based on rules set by cannon writers but we can use known decisions and cause and effect pairs to create new games/cannons to mimic past games. Do with this what you will.