User_Levi Connect4

Despite widely held misconceptions, Connect4 is not a game. You might disagree with me, but let's examine what a 'game' is. If you ask Dictionary.com, you'll find the following definition:According to this definition, Connect4 certainly sounds like a game. It does involve skill, and it does take place between two people. It can be played for the amusement of the players or spectators. However, Connect4 is not competitive. "It surely looks competitive," you say. Well, let me give you an example of another 'game' that's not competitive and see if you'd still call it a game.

Suppose you've agreed to play the following 'game' with me: There are three marbles in a clear jug. Two of the marbles are red, and one of them is blue. On your turn, you are allowed to choose and take one of the marbles out of the jug. On my turn, I get to choose and take one of the marbles out of the jug. If I am able to pull a red marble out of the jug, I win. If you can keep me from pulling a red marble out of the jug, you win.

Do you see that no matter what you do in the 'game', you cannot keep me from winning? Even if you pull one of the red marbles from the jug, I can still take the other one and hence win. In other words, I can always win. Now, obviously, if I for some reason pulled the blue marble out, I could lose. However, if I play 'correctly', I will always win. If I always win, it's not really a game because there is no competition.

Connect4 is exactly like the above example. There is a 'correct' way to play Connect4. If the first player plays 'correctly', then the first player will never lose. Hence, Connect4 is not a game; it lacks competition.

But really, don't take my word for it.