Claim - Games

In game design, 'claim' refers to the core mechanic of establishing ownership over territory, resources, or objectives. It transforms abstract spaces into contested grounds, driving player agency through strategic placement, expansion, and defense. This concept manifests in area control mechanics, base building, resource node capture, and objective securing in genres from strategy to RPGs. Symbolically, 'claim' represents the fundamental human desire for control, progression, and identity within virtual worlds, creating tangible stakes that fuel competition, cooperation, and narrative investment.