Dem Jungen gab ich einen Ball.
I gave the boy a ball. (as opposed to giving it to someone else)

Now the first is quite simple - I gave the boy a ball. It is simple and objective. However the next one down, translated into English according to myself, would mean 'A ball, is what I gave to the boy'. I love to write stories, and I can envision and elderly German man, whom had a relationship with a boy (perhaps a grandson/nephew) who reports to an officer that most recently it was 'A ball, (he) I gave to the boy' before some reveal that the ball is somehow important to the narrative of the story.

What I'm getting at here is that German seems to be fluid in how it is spoken but also that the meaning and impression given can change depending on the way it is phrased. Just as many languages can, but this is my first time realising the complexity of German sentence structure. 

It's an encouraging finding, but as I said in the beginning of this journey to learn, I need to focus on deciphering the same sentence based on the sentences structure. Understanding that it can mean the same thing, but differently, will be important - Else I may just remain ignorant and assume I cannot understand what is said. 

I've discovered that 'Spielst du' means 'Do you play', so I'm figuring I can add on any game I choose onto the end and just repeat the question if I'm online with different game names. 'Spielst du Minecraft? Nein? Ich liebe Minecraft!' is something I might say playfully if they tell me they aren't into it, hopefully so I can tempt them into it playing it with me. I'd probably continue by asking a more general statement such as 'Have you ever played it?'

Once again, after searching online, I've found 'Hast du es jemals gespielt?'. At which point I'd probably have to wait for their answer to continue studying, but if they haven't played the particular game before. I've found I can ask 'Wirst du es versuchen?' to at least see if they'll ever play it.