What's in a game?

So geeked it out on Saturday and headed to Board Gamecamp. I love the state that we are in when we play (well-designed) board games, it's a very social state of 'flow'. Awesome day with lots to think about:

• I heard for the first time about a dark art project called the train where people played a game to get counters onto a train. After playing the game for some time, it was revealed that the train was bound for Auschwitz, and the counters were people. Crazily, people kept playing.
• Was introduced to an awesome video by Jesse Schell (start watching at 6:48) that raises some interesting points about the 'gamification' of everyday life
• The idea of everyone wanting to be the murderer at a murder mystery partner because it's Harry Potter themed, and who wouldn't want to have killed Voldemort?
• Monopoly (despite it's *noble* beginnings) is badly designed because it's visible from very early on who is going to be the winner. A game where many players can be in a with a chance with winning until the very end is far more exciting
• MRI scanners used to be called NMRIs, with the N standing for nuclear
• Mixed religious messaging - Vishnu on a cross, a guinea pig on the plate at the last supper in Cusco

Comments

[Grahamgrafx]

I love the Train game! Using games for an artistic medium is very effective, however hard to do. It's not hard to align business goals with game mechanics but in fine art the concepts an artist may want to convey could be contrary to the sensation of playing games, "flow". Does the artist really want people to enjoy the act?
Do you have a link for more information on that game?

[pristyles]

@Graham - sorry, no more info for that game, I only heard about it anecdotally