Everyone is playing the game. They always have been and always will be. Participation in a game requires neither consent nor awareness of its existence.
Only when someone has told you about The Game does it become possible to lose, unless you independently create The Game.
The creator of The Game was the first person to realise that he was playing, and was therefore the first person to lose.
Variations:
You only begin playing The Game when you become aware of its existence.
You may choose to not play The Game.
