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Is it a game or a hobby?


Ed_S

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Someone mentioned in a discussion that the geo-website refers to geocaching as a game. I prefer to think of it as a  hobby, and would urge the Powers That Be™ to change the site's description to that, too. Here's why: in a game, one competes against others, and teams compete against other teams. Keeping statistics is important, and "winning" is paramount. With a hobby, though, people are in it for the enjoyment of the activity. They want to share their experiences with others, and cooperate with others who also enjoy the hobby. 

 

Let's be a hobby instead of a game.

 

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2 hours ago, Ed_S said:

Is it a game or a hobby?

 

We consider it a recreational activity, and hobby.

We feel a sport is something that requires and includes stats, and a degree of competition, while a hobby doesn't.

Or a better answer for geocaching in general might be yes.

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An outdoor activity, like hiking but with points of interest along the way.

 

A pastime?

 

For me, it's not really a hobby, as that implies (to me) more dedication and regularity than I put into geocaching.

 

It's only a "game" like solitaire is a game - some stats, but no competition.

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40 minutes ago, TriciaG said:

It's only a "game" like solitaire is a game - some stats, but no competition.

 

There are lots of games that don't have to be played competitively, like social tennis, golf, etc. In my student days a group of us regularly played squash on the campus courts but it was never competitive and no-one kept scores, it was just a bit of fun. It's much the same with caching: some are really into statistics and agonise over their find count, find rate, D/T grid, average D/T, FPs or whatever, but others like me just enjoy getting outdoors to explore interesting places and socialising with my caching friends.

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4 hours ago, barefootjeff said:

There are lots of games that don't have to be played competitively, like social tennis, golf, etc. In my student days a group of us regularly played squash on the campus courts but it was never competitive and no-one kept scores, it was just a bit of fun. It's much the same with caching: some are really into statistics and agonise over their find count, find rate, D/T grid, average D/T, FPs or whatever, but others like me just enjoy getting outdoors to explore interesting places and socialising with my caching friends.

I am reminded of bridge (the card game). The last time I played (let's just say it was before I started geocaching) was in a lunchtime group at work where we didn't keep score, and we frequently discussed the meanings of different bids (as a way to better learn SAYC bidding, not to cheat, since no one was keeping score). On the other hand, my mom plays competitively, and they take everything much more seriously at her competitions.

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The definition of "game" in general is oft debated. I don't think there will be any consensus here :P

But I primarily refer to this as a hobby. Occasionally a game. Depends on context I think. If I'm talking about stats, my mind may jump to game. If I'm talking about the fun and adventure, usually hobby. A game doesn't have to be competitive, or necessarily even have win/lose conditions.  Some may even call some hobbies games, depending on their motive for 'doing' the hobby (could building and selling crafts be considered a game to some? *shrug*)

I don't think the label is as important as how we promote the activity and talk it up.

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