A discussion thread about whether or not Dear Esther should be considered a game, or something or a different title. Now, what this is not about is whether or not it's good or bad. So, I'll start by giving my opinion.
Do I think Dear Esther should be considered a game? No, not at all. I think at the very most, it is an "interactive poem", and that's really stretching the meaning of "interactive". The definition for a game is: "A form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck". And I believe that Dear Esther lacks the rules, and requirements of skill or luck.
Do I think Dear Esther should be considered a game? No, not at all. I think at the very most, it is an "interactive poem", and that's really stretching the meaning of "interactive". The definition for a game is: "A form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck". And I believe that Dear Esther lacks the rules, and requirements of skill or luck.