Jane McGonigal: Gaming can make a better world
A lot of gamers feel that they are not as good in life as they are in a game. In game worlds, individuals become the best versions of themselves (they are willing to try again and achieve greatness). In real life, we often feel overwhelmed or less able to achieve what we want. In games, there’s always something specific to be done to achieve a mission and there are also people there that are willing to help you. There is also constant feedback and encouragement throughout games. It is satisfying to be working toward an “epic win” (solving virtual problems). McGonigal explains how games have taught individuals to learn cohesiveness and life skills needed to work together and reach success. She says it gives gamers, “extreme optimism (meeting goals), social fabric (we like people better after playing a game with them—trust), blissful productivity (we are happier working hard at a game), and epic meaning (attached to inspiration)”. She says this leads to individuals who believe they are capable of changing the word (virtual versus real). I do not fully agree with this idea. A game may give someone a feeling of achievement and confidence, but these situations are not comparable to those in the real world. If they are really attaining these qualities from games, then they should be able to apply them to real-world situations.
McGonigal has devoted her gaming situation to help make the future a reality through these games. I understand her ideas behind this, but I do not necessarily think that individuals will be intrigued just because it has the label of a “game”.
This is a very good blog. I agree with you when you say that “A lot of gamers feel they are not as good in life as they are in the game”. I know that for some people playing video games makes them feel better about themselves and video game can also let people take a break from real life. In some video games, we are able to make our dreams become realities. I also agree with you and think that video games can make someone hopeful of their future. Jones says that, “The creation and sharing of tools, environments, creatures and experiences complete with sight, sound and touch are technically possible.” Thinking about technology and video games is kinda of mind-blowing. It is crazy to think how they were created and what they can do to people. Technology is amazing. It can do so much for us and it can help people. Video games can help users think outside of the box and become creative.
The last sentence of your blog really intrigued me. I think this is a very good question. McGonigal assumes that gamers will be interested in playing real world solving games, however are these games going to be as fun and addicting as games such as World of War Craft? Even though I have never played this game myself, I’ve heard that it is a very well thought out and addicting game. Are the problem solving games that McGonigal talks about such as, “World Without Oil”, going to keep the gamers interest long enough to actually solve the problem in a decent amount of time? McGonigal explains this game as “and then we give you real time news videos, data-feeds that show you exactly how much oil costs…and you have to figure out how you would live your real life as if this were true, then we ask you to blog about it, to post videos, to post photos” (16:50). To me, it seems like the game is just using economics to solve a problem and then blog about it. I does not seem fun to me, instead it seems like regular work. This reminds me of the game, “Dragon Box Elements” that I have to play for my math class. I do not enjoy playing this game and I only play it when I have to for class. I’d way rather play “Words With Friends”. Because of this, I do not think, McGonigal’s plan to use video games to solve real world problems is going to be as successful as she believes.
Recorded at TED2010, February 2010 in Long Beach, CA. Duration: 20:04) Gaming Can Make A Better World. Retrieved: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/lang/en//id/799