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Reality Is Broken
Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World | Jane McGonigal
15 posts | 25 read | 13 to read
Visionary game designer Jane McGonigal reveals how we can harness the power of games to solve real-world problems and boost global happiness. More than 174 million Americans are gamers, and the average young person in the United States will spend ten thousand hours gaming by the age of twenty-one. According to world-renowned game designer Jane McGonigal, the reason for this mass exodus to virtual worlds is that videogames are increasingly fulfilling genuine human needs. 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. Drawing on positive psychology, cognitive science, and sociology, Reality Is Broken uncovers how game designers have hit on core truths about what makes us happy and utilized these discoveriesto astonishing effect in virtual environments. Videogames consistently provide the exhilarating rewards, stimulating challenges, and epic victories that are so often lacking in the real world. But why, McGonigal asks, should we use the power of games for escapist entertainment alone? Her research suggests that gamers are expert problem solvers and collaborators because they regularly cooperate with other players to overcome daunting virtual challenges, and she helped pioneer a fast-growing genre of games that aims to turn gameplay to socially positive ends. In Reality Is Broken, she reveals how these new alternate reality games are already improving the quality of our daily lives, fighting social problems such as depression and obesity, and addressing vital twenty-first-century challenges-and she forecasts the thrilling possibilities that lie ahead. She introduces us to games like World Without Oil, a simulation designed to brainstorm-and therefore avert- the challenges of a worldwide oil shortage, and Evoke, a game commissioned by the World Bank Institute that sends players on missions to address issues from poverty to climate change. McGonigal persuasively argues that those who continue to dismiss games will be at a major disadvantage in the coming years. Gamers, on the other hand, will be able to leverage the collaborative and motivational power of games in their own lives, communities, and businesses. Written for gamers and nongamers alike, Reality Is Broken shows us that the future will belong to those who can understand, , and play games. Watch a Video
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CampbellTaraL
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Pickpick

A lot of research and even more reference material went into this book. The results are a well-argued stance of how games are beneficial and can be leveraged to solve real world problems we're facing today.

I'm not entirely convinced since there are a lot of people shirking real world responsibilities in favor of games, but overall, I admire the author's optimism and passion for the medium.

DogMomIrene I felt the same way when I read this one. Have you seen her Ted Talk? She‘s got such infectious enthusiasm. 4y
CampbellTaraL @ocdIrene I haven't but I did listen to her on an episode of the podcast Ologies and you're right, definitely an infectious enthusiasm! I'll check out her TED talk, thank you! 4y
31 likes2 comments
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Kenyazero
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Pickpick

I greatly appreciated this book and the author's perspective on gaming. She explores many facets of gaming, from video games to alternate reality games that go beyond digital media. Her definition of augmented reality games was related to serious games, and it was interesting to see the connections she drew and the examples she pulled from. #videogameresearch #gamestudies #gameinsights #gaming #augmentedreality #videogame #alternaterealitygames

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Amanda61
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Today's #bookhaul from our local #LibrarySale. Really excited to add these to my TBR pile.

Also, not familiar with the tagged book but I'll be hearing the author speak in June at a convention so figured it'd be good to read up beforehand.

Kaye Poisonwood Bible and Kite Runner are 5 Star books. (edited) 6y
kishore_kk I have read two of them Life of Pi and Kite Runner and really loved them. These are simply awesome!💚 6y
34 likes2 comments
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Misanthropester
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ARG-Alternate Reality Games #gaming

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Misanthropester
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'ambient sociability' is the perfect term for the kind of interaction I want when #gaming--I want others to be around but not imposing upon me (like IRL)

MariettaSG I concur, my idea of a good time is a bunch of friends sitting around together reading books but not saying anything. 💜 7y
Misanthropester Right, @MariettaSG, a group sharing in the experience of a story with the option to engage each other's experience. That's what's so powerful about storytelling no matter it's form, the possibility of community 7y
10 likes2 comments
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Misanthropester
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These stats were true over 7 yrs ago. now the 35 yr olds are in their early 40s, are they still playing? designing? critiquing? #gamers #gaming

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Misanthropester
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Today's #bookmail

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HatefulGrablin
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Mehso-so

If I didn't have to read it for a class I would have bailed pretty early. It does get better in the second half, but it's still not something I would pick up of my own volition. It might have been more interesting if I didn't know anything about video games to begin with.

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ju.ca.no
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almost done with this one, less than a hundred pages left! I really enjoy this book and highly recommend it! I was sceptical at the beginning, but some really clever ideas convinced me 😊 seems like games actually have the potential to make a BIG change!

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ju.ca.no
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curious to read the following chapters, the introduction sounded as if big ideas are coming ahead😊

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ju.ca.no
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two more new books arrived today, both for my final master's exam in june. Looking foward to two interesting reads 😊

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AMVP
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#aprilbookshowers day 16 - #thoughtprovoking

Have been wanting to read more academic works on video games, especially since the last Idea Channel episode on Bogost.

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Blanca_Monique
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Mehso-so

Review thus far: chapter 13, page 267, the author seems to finally be getting to the point. Part 1 was great, part 2 and, so far, part 3 are a bore. #reality #broken #gaming

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Blanca_Monique
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Currently reading. #reality #gaming #quote #emerson

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nitya.mema
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"Gamer regret" is a phenomenon in which gamers question the time and effort they have invested in a virtual world instead of living fuller lives. Is "reader regret" a legit phenomenon among us booknerds. How much time do you spend reading? Do you think you read too much?