Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Archive definition dispute

message: This page deals with the subject of proper categorization and naming of articles related to computer, video, and arcade games, but especially video games and computer games. This is ongoing, but not in any bad sense.
This section tries to define the problem and all terms involved and describe proposed solutions. Important sections have been formatted and bolded for increased readability  and skimability of larger sections. Feel free to edit this section to reflect the current state of affairs more clearly.
Note: This argument has been going on at the talk page of video games, computer games, (a whole bunch of other places), and this category page. While the category page deals mostly with the naming of this category, the other pages deal with the resulting confusion for the reader. However, both problems stem from the same root cause.
This entire dispute/discussion should be placed into it's own page?
Apologies if this misses any arguments, please fill them in.
===Problem Summary===
The main issue is that there is no popular term used only to describe interactive, computerized games. There are some, but they are bound to the platforms.
*Computer game: 
::Purely, refers to a "computer controlled game". 
::Conventionally, refers to games played on a personal computer.
*Video game:
::Purely, refers to "games with some form of video display (video display: screen that receives input from a computer)". 
::Conventionally, refers to console games, and perhaps arcade games.
So purely, a video game is a form of computer game.
And arcade games? An arcade game is any form of electronic game (the parent category) that has been designed for public play - so usually a console/computer with a display, inside a protective box, controls included. Note that pinball is an arcade (and computer game), but not a video game.
The problem arises when considering the fact that most people, hence most articles, associate video games with console and computer games with PC. The respective "Special:Whatlinkshere/" pages seem to affirm this.
We're left with the following structure:
:woozle-wozzle: the pure form of "computer games", detached from platform
::computer games: computer-only games
::video games: console-only games
===Proposed solutions===
*Move explanations to video and computer game distinctions
For: the articles currently only talk about distinctions, there is no encyclopedic view. Start fresh.
:Against: many articles link here
*Merging of video and computer games
For: they are duplicates because major parts of both describe 'woozle-wozzle'.
:Against: conventionally, they are seen as different (PC vs console). Gameplay, history, commercialization, development, are all different.
::For:: granted. How about merging and explaining the difference?
:::Against: Then you have the longer and more complicated article to deal with
:Against: There is a lot of distinction (PC vs Console) in the two articles themselves.
::For: There is a lot of redundancy as well (the current split up of woozle-wozzle).
*Cover-all
For: one page should show the relationship between various games, and give the novice a general overview on the topic.
*Cover all term (category page)
Suggestions include electronic games, video games, computer games, software games. The first part of #Cover-all has arguments for and against each.
A vote was held for using 'video game'. 4 supported, 10 against. Of the against, many favored a name change, major candidates being electronic games and computer games.
===Solution===
In terms of the articles, the current 'solution' is detailed at Talk:Computer and video games#Structure
In terms of the naming of this category, there appears to be no solution, apart from the current naming.
--Slike 08:37, 24 Dec 2004 (UTC)
thread_title: Naming dispute

message: In terms of the articles, the current 'solution' is detailed at Talk:Computer and video games#Structure
In terms of the naming of this category, there appears to be no solution, apart from the current naming.
--Slike 08:37, 24 Dec 2004 (UTC)
thread_title: Solution

message: # Oberiko 12:23, 18 Jun 2004 (UTC)
thread_title: Support

message: # Stan 16:33, 18 Jun 2004 (UTC)
thread_title: Oppose

message: #Sean Curtin 03:54, 19 Jun 2004 (UTC)
thread_title: Neutral

message: What about using the phrase "digital games" for a blanket term? It does not have the burden of different meanings to different people as it is a new one, and it seems to cover all the necessary terms. It is also sometimes used in game research contexts (e.g., Digital Games Research Association). RandomMonitor 15:05, 12 July 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: New cover-all term proposed

message: It is proposed that a general article on Computer and video games be created to give an overview of the topic for the novice, and provide links to other, more specific articles for the passionate. This article is being drafted at Talk:Computer game/Computer and video games. It is proposed that the articles on Computer game, Video game, Adventure, Interactive fiction and Arcade game would remain, but focus on elements that are unique to those subcategories. Please edit, and discuss! Mark Richards 23:16, 25 Feb 2004 (UTC)
thread_title: Proposal for structure change

message: Hey I'm brand new here so I don't know how big this debate about the whole video game/computer game thing has been, but I have gotten my feet wet writing...
This particular topic has nothing to do with an encyclopedic view of "Computer games". If there are no complaints, within a few days I'll move this article to Computer and Video Game Distinctions and see how things go. If a Computer game article is meant to live, then somebody will have to start writing. Ajbperc 20:32, 23 Jul 2004 (UTC)
replies: text: I suggest studying the "what links here" list for a bit - those are all the places that people will come from to get to this article. What should they see when they get here? For instance, what will somebody coming from Colossal Cave Adventure want to know about - the current sales figures  for the Xbox, or how computer games work in general? Stan 20:54, 23 Jul 2004 (UTC)
thread_title:  move to computer and video game distinctions (Jul 2004)