An american games guru makes a persuasive case for investing in the virtual world if we want to. Jane mcgonigals groundbreaking research offers a surprising solution to how we can build stronger communities and collaborate at extreme scales. Why games make us better and how they change the world by. In the bestdesigned games, our human experience is optimized. Jane mcgonigal s groundbreaking research offers a surprising solution to how we can build stronger communities and collaborate at extreme scales. Jane mcgonigal thinks reality is broken, and she wants to. In 2009, businessweek called her one of the ten most important innovators to watch. But reading just a little way into it was enough to convince me that this is an important book important enough that i want to quote or summarize some of its key points here. Jane mcgonigal is a researcher on game perception and game development. At my suggestion, my book group has been reading jane mcgonigal s reality is broken. Jane mcgonigals reality is broken explains the science behind why games are good for uswhy they make us happier, more creative, more. In 2008, jane mcgonigal delivered a rant at the game developers conference entitled reality is broken that galvanized developers into tackling reallife problems. Ive known jane s work for years now, starting with her app superbetter, which lets you gamify your life. Game on with superbetter jane mcgonigal, who created a video game to help her recover from a serious injury, says superbetter can assist in the fight against obesity and.
In this book, mcgonigal looks not only at massively multiplayer online gaming and alternate reality games but also at games more widely. Why games make us better and how they can change the world. Reality is broken is the most powerful justification yet for computer games as one of our central literacies parallel to literature or movies in the way they connect our motivations and energies. Mcgonigal is the leading practicioner in the use of games to motivate people to solve real problems with their. Nypl editor beth hays talked with jane mcgonigal about her new book, reality is broken. Reality is broken is essential reading for anyone who wants to play a hand in inventing a better future. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading reality is broken. Reality is broken is a compelling exploration of why playing games makes us feel so good, and why, far from being a distraction from reality, technologyled games are increasingly providing solutions to our daily dissatisfactions. Playing digital games is something people do for fun, right. Jane mcgonigal thinks reality is broken, and she wants to fix it. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Why games make us better and how they can change the world kindle edition by mcgonigal, jane. What if we could harness this gamer power to solve realworld problems. Jane mcgonigal, game designer for alternate reality games year.
Reality is broken is excellent, but the amount of detail provided is excessive for making and demonstrating the authors points. Jane mcgonigal, phd is a worldrenowned designer of games designed to improve real lives and solve real problems. Why games make us better and how they can change the world, p. Jane mcgonigal is one of my favorite thinkers, and its a delight to have her philosophy neatly distilled to a single book, her justpublished debut reality is broken. For most readers it would be a better book if it were abridged. Jane mcgonigal is a creator of alternate reality games as well as director of games research and development at the institute of the future in palo alto, california. Clive thompson, contributing writer for wired and the new york times magazine reality is broken is the most eyeopening book i read this year. Jane mcgonigal, concussion slayer halfway through writing reality is broken, mcgonigal slammed her head into a cabinet door and suffered a serious concussion that took away many of the things she loved most. With a stirring blend of energy, wisdom, and idealism, jane mcgonigal shows us how to start saving the world one game at a time. Getting superbetter with jane the concussion slayer. Reality is broken is the most eyeopening book i read this year. Written for gamers and nongamers alike, reality is broken shows that the future will belong to those who can understand, design, and play games. Her work has been featured in the economist, wired, and the.
And no one knows more about how to design worldchanging games than mcgonigal. To help recover mcgonigal assumed a secret identity as jane. Why games make us better and how they can change the world mcgonigal, jane isbn. Why games make us better and how they can change the world, was published. Why games make us better and how they can change the world, doesnt. According to worldrenowned game designer jane mcgonigal, the reason for this mass exodus to virtual worlds is that video games are increasingly fulfilling genuine human needs. Jane is a beacon for gamers, using her voice to get the good word about games out loud and clear. She is the new york times bestselling author of reality is broken. Why games make us better and how they can change the world author. Games like world of warcraft give players the means to save worlds, and incentive to learn the habits of heroes. Its not brain surgery, and its certainly never going to change the world. With aweinspiring expertise, clarity of thought, and engrossing writing style, jane mcgonigal cleanly exploded every misconception ive ever had about games and gaming. Why games make us better and how they can change the world ebook written by jane mcgonigal.
Worldrenowned game designer and futurist jane mcgonigal, phd. Reality is broken, says jane mcgonigal, and we need to make it work more like a game. Jane mcgonigal visionary game designer jane mcgonigal shows how we can harness the power of computer games to solve realworld problems and boost global happiness, since her research suggests that gamers are expert. In this groundbreaking exploration of the power and future of gaming, mcgonigal reveals how we can use the lessons of game design to fix what is wrong with the real world.
Jane mcgonigal, phd is a worldrenowned designer of alternate reality games or, games that are designed to improve real lives and solve real problems. She is an author, a director of games research and development at the institute of the future in palo alto, california and a creator of alternate reality games. With her new book, the wellknown game designer delves into the question of. I have to admit that at first glance, the title struck me as frivolous. A game is an opportunity to focus our energy, with relentless optimism, at something were good at or getting better at and enjoy. On january 20, 2011, mcgonigals first book, reality is broken. Jane is a worldrenowned designer of alternate reality gamesor, games that are designed to improve real lives and solve real problems.
A revolutionary approach to getting stronger, happier, braver and more resilient. We have important work to do, were surrounded by potential. Author jane mcgonigal explains why reality is broken q. Reality is broken, by jane mcgonigal the independent. Using theories from positive psychology, cognitive science, sociology, and philosophy, mcgonigal connects. Armed with a phd in performance studies, she explores the science of game development and game perception as well as the actual creation of games. Practical advice for gamers by jane mcgonigal reality is broken explains the science behind why games are good for uswhy they make us happier, more creative, more resilient, and better able to lead others in worldchanging efforts. A book thats both philosophically rich and completely practical. Jane mcgonigal at meet the media guru in milan, italy, may 2011. Despite her expertise, mcgonigal s book is never overly technical, and as with a good computer game, anyone. Jane mcgonigal born october 21, 1977 is an american game designer, specializing in pervasive gaming and alternate reality games args.
Why games make us better and how they can change the world penguin press, 2011 and is the inventor of superbetter, a game that has helped half a million players tackle reallife health challenges such as. Why games make us better and how they can change the world by mcgonigal, jane isbn. Her work has been featured in the economist, wired, and the new york times. Reality is broken pdf summary jane mcgonigal 12min blog. In other words, gameplay is the direct emotional opposite of depression. Jane mcgonigal is the director of game research and development at the institute for the future. Why games make us better and how they can change the world 9780143120612. In particular the second half of the book seems to be a discussion of every game project the author had ever been involved with. When we play a game, we tackle tough challenges with more creativity, more determination, more optimism, and were more likely to reach out to others for help. Jane mcgonigal audio books, best sellers, author bio. Game designer and director of game research at the institute for the future, jane mcgonigal, argues that games can change the world for the better. Why doesnt the real world work more like an online game. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read reality is broken.
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