Video Game as an Information System: Scientific Basis and Classification of Tasks

Abstract

A video game is viewed as a discrete dynamic information system defined by a tuple of formal components. It is shown that existing definitions of a game, as adopted in the humanities, are not operational and are unsuitable for formulating engineering problems. Based on the proposed model, six classes of relevant problems in technical science are formulated: formal verification of mechanics, balancing as multi-criteria optimization, agent behavior modeling, procedural content generation, state space testing, and formal specification. For each class of problems, a connection to model components is established, and applicable formal methods are identified. The results are aimed at establishing an independent branch of technical science on video games within the domestic scientific community.