4 ms·
The alternative to "game" is "programming contest"
by knughit 11y ago
The alternative to "game" is "programming contest"
- kbenson 11y agoContest generally connotes a fixed length group activity with a single, or small and usually predefined set of winners. Game is really the correct term, IMHO, but it's still negatively associated with productivity, to the degree some people don't like to admit they play games, which is likely only true in their mind because of their overly constrained idea of what a game is. We spend much of our childhood doing accelerated learning through play (games). There's no reason that can't continue into adulthood, except for it culturally being slightly unacceptable. That's really counter-productive.
- tptacek 11y agoThe word "contest" is bad for us because it implies that the only reason you'd participate is to beat other people, but really your primary adversary in these challenges is Erin, Patrick, and me.
- pvg 11y agoIsn't "CTF" at least as bad, with the extra bad of making no sense to most people?
- tptacek 11y agoIt's not great, I agree, but I like that we still have an opportunity to define what a CTF is for people who aren't already CTF players. Also: we're very much structured like a conventional CTF; it's just a CTF we're not taking down after a few days.
- beardicus 11y ago> your primary adversary in these challenges "Challenges" or "programming challenges" sounds good to me. The textfile was a fun read, best of luck!
- Schwolop 11y agoOn a tangentially related note, I'm having the same trouble with the phrase "escape room" - I'm building a game that I want people to experience, not escape from!