What makes a game, a game?

"Games are the voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacle"
- Bernard Suits (1978)

"A game is a rule-based system with a variable and quantifiable outcome, where different outcomes are assigned different values, the player exerts effort in order to influence the outcome, the player feels emotionally attached to the outcome and the consequences of the activity are negotiable"
- Jesper Juul, Half-Real (2005)

Life is Strange

Rule-based system: the game is very linear, there are basic objectives given for each chapter within the episode and an option must be chosen when asked. Some scenes ask you to save another character who's life is in danger and you cannot proceed with the story until this goal has been achieved.

Variable outcomes: there are several different outcomes depending on how the player responds to each character and the physical events they have the antagonist do. This includes obtaining the trust of another character or changing the attitude of the main character.

Outcomes different values: all outcomes can either have a positive or negative effect on the character and play alike, for example, the option between killing or letting a character live. Some decisions made can have the desired outcome or shock the player and make them regret the previous choices.

Effort exerted: based on actual movement and gameplay there isn't a huge amount of involvement for the player, however within each episode there are several choices, both important and less so, impacting the entire rest of the game and the players' satisfaction with the end result. The effort exerted may also be increased if the player wishes to replay the game in order to experience each individual scenario and ending.

Negotiable consequences: there is a huge difference between playing alone and with a friend as they may have a completely opposite opinion and cause you to change your mind or go back and alter one you've already made.