Play Anything
Play Anything
Ian Bogost
Stewart Butterfield
Shows how play serves as a fundamental tool for examining the world around us. - Stewart Butterfield
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Play Anything

Play Anything: The Pleasure of Limits, the Uses of Boredom, and the Secret of Games

Ian Bogost
By
Ian Bogost
3.2
536
ratings on Goodreads

In "Play Anything," Ian Bogost invites us on a transformative journey, challenging the drab monotony of our daily lives with a simple, yet profound, proposition: the essence of play. Bogost, a pioneering game designer and philosopher, argues that the key to unlocking creativity and joy lies not in seeking out new amusements or distractions, but in reimagining the familiar and mundane through the lens of play. With insightful analysis and engaging prose, Bogost dismantles our conventional understanding of fun, revealing that the true pleasure of play emerges not from freedom, but from the embrace of constraints and limitations. Through a captivating blend of cultural critique, philosophical reflection, and heartfelt storytelling, "Play Anything" explores how the principles underlying games can illuminate paths to a richer, more fulfilling life. Whether it's the strategic challenge of a soccer match or the simple act of mowing the lawn, Bogost shows that by accepting and engaging with the constraints inherent in our activities, we can transform even the most ordinary tasks into sources of meaning and joy. This book is an invitation to view the world anew, equipped with a playful mindset that can turn any aspect of life into a game worth playing.

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Released
2016
13 Sep
Length
288
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

Shows how play serves as a fundamental tool for examining the world around us. - Stewart Butterfield
Boredom is the secret to releasing pleasure. Once something becomes so tedious that its purpose becomes secondary to its nature, then the real work can start.
— Ian Bogost, Play Anything

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