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Finite and Infinite Games

--James Carse

There are two types of games: finite games and infinite games. Finite games are played for the purpose of winning. Infinite games are played for the purpose of continuing the play. Finite games are bounded in time, space, and number. Infinite games are unbounded. Finite players play within boundaries. Infinite players play with boundaries -- by taking boundaries "into play". Finite games are externally defined. Infinite games are internally defined. There is no game, finite or infinite, unless the players freely agree to play it. No one can be forced to play. Whoever *must* play, cannot *play*. The rules in finite games may not change in the course of play. The rules of an infinite game must change in the course of play. Finite players seek to bring their play to an end. Infinite players play best when they become least necessary to the continuation of play. Finite games are played to win. Infinite games are played to play. Infinite play remains invisible to the finite observer. Finite players are serious -- they block off open possibility. Infinite players are playful -- they are open to all consequences. Finite players try to control the game. Infinite players enjoy surprise. You can play finite games within an infinite game. You cannot play infinite games within a finite game. Finite games consume time. Infinite games create the time for play to take place. To win a finite game is to win a "title". In many finite games titles give their possesor "power". A powerful person is one who can resolve all pending issues. A strong person is one who carries unresolved issues forward, demonstrating their incapacity to be resolved. "Society" is to "culture" as "finite play" is to "infinite play". Culture cannot be held within the boundaries of society. Society is a manifestation of power -- theatrical and scripted. Culture thrives on deviancy. A finite player desires to be a Master Player who cannot be surprised. An infinite player remains a novice and expectantly looks for surprise in every moment. A finite player must engage in some self-veiling for serious play to take place. An infinite player freely plays without taking it seriously. A finite player assumes roles and follows scripts -- is theatrical. An infinite players finds scripts useless, avoids outcomes, and keeps the future open-ended -- is dramatic. A finite player is The Champion of Things That Have Become. An infinite player is The Champion of Things Becoming. Infinite play is not bounded in time and has no beginning or end. Infinite players are neither young or old; for them, time does not pass. Finite players fill time with work. Infinite players fill work with time. Finite players must have time to be free. Infinite players are free to have time. Finite speech seeks to prove. Infinite speech seeks to inspire others to play. Finite players must rely on deception and concealment in play. Infinite players seek to be open, candid, and vulnerable. Finite players celebrate the triumph of the past over the future. Infinite players celebrate the present by embracing the future. Finite players oppose the actions and others and seek to bring them to an end. Infinite players act in such a way that others will respond by themselves acting. No one can play a game alone. There are an infinite number of finite games. There is but one infinite game.