Can gamers change the world? How about designing world saving games? Jane Mcgonigal says no one wants to change the world just because it is good or because they are supposed to. But if you immerse them in an epic adventure and say “We have run out of oil” . Here is a challenge for you to survive. People act.
Jane also narrates an interesting story where 2500 years ago people in the kingdom of Lydia fought famine for 18 years by playing the game of dice. One day they ate, the next day they spent time playing games. They got so immersed in the game that they never remembered that they didn’t eat. When the famine didn’t get better, they played one last dice game. The winner would leave Lydia to search for a place where they could survive leaving behind other people who could survive on the little resources available. That was an interesting story!
The key here is gamers have great problem solving skills or rather games can be used to increase problem solving skills in people.
What are gamers getting good at? Jane identifies the following list:
- Urgent optimism – Gamers can tackle obstacle.
- Social fabric – Gamers can easily build social relationships.
- Blissful productivity – Gamers can put in lot of hard work.
- Epic meaning – Gamers love to be attached to adventures, missions.
Listen to this inspiring lecture by Jane Mcgonigal now:
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Gaming is the new age learning tool that not only informs, teaches but also generates a curiosity in minds of learners to absorb the knowledge in a more interactive and playful manner. “Game Based Learning” is the successful mantra in the industry and is expected to stay on a long run of time. I am very convinced with this article.