Not only humans play games. I’ve seen also animals play games. We are here concerned with humans, though. The difference between us and them is that we may choose which game to entertain ourselves in. There is a wide choice of them. They are all within a bigger game we are bound to play since we come into this world: the game of life.
There is always a motivation to play for. Behind this you find an object of desire. Here are some. We play for power and behind this game there is a hidden object of desire. In this case we want to have influence on something or somebody. Behind curiosity you find knowledge. People may long for order because they need organization. They may search for idealism since they want equity, romance for sex and beauty, status for social standing.
Motivators vs Objects of desire generate conflicts. The game of life becomes an endgame. Humans know why their game ends. Animals, don’t. They continue the game. Humans, don’t.