Following the discussion in AG23, I am going to define theme as the particular context in which the abstract structure of a game is actualized. Of course, this manner of using the word encompasses the usual way of understanding theme, but there are other factors. The virtual theme of games such as Jetan, Tak, and Zhadu is one of those factors—as discussed in AG17. Perhaps even any pleasure in observing the physical game and manipulating the game pieces is another aspect of theme--the Hexagonal Chess set featured has this quality in abundance, which . Games are enhanced by having reasons to play them.
Editorial
Corrections
These two errors in AG22 were corrected in the online magazine, but remain necessarily unchanged in some copies of the physical magazine:
These two errors in AG22 were corrected in the online magazine, but remain necessarily unchanged in some copies of the physical magazine:
- The Go diagram in "Abstract Game Heuristics" have hoshi points in the wrong location, they should be on the 4-4 points.
- The correct definition of Extended Family in "Penchant: Reviving a game from the past that feels modern" is "Five cards of the same suit, must include J, Q, K."