Reality is Broken : why Games Make us Better and how They can Change the World

Locations
Call Number: BOCD 306.487 McG
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	BOCD 306.487 McG	4-week checkout	On Shelf

Compact discs.
Unabridged.
Performed by Julia Whelan.
Visionary game designer Jane McGonigal shows how we can harness the power of computer games to solve real-world problems and boost global happiness, since her research suggests that gamers are expert problem solvers and collaborators because they regularly cooperate with other players to overcome daunting virtual challenges.

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Interesting but also directionless submitted by cherylo on June 14, 2013, 10:36am Jane McGonigal has interesting things to say about games, but this book is ultimately a love letter to gamers more than a serious proposal about how to remake the world. The first part of the book does make a compelling case about how games are more engaging than real life and some of the consequences to society from that trend. But leaving real life for games won't make a living for most people. Choosing voluntary challenges is a great idea to increase engagement, as is user-driven meaningful action, but none of these will address real-world, difficult challenges like properly funding schools and deciding on public priorities. It is worth a read or listen, but the book is oversold as a holding a cure for the problems of our "broken" reality. There are lots of fan shout-outs for various games and gamified systems (e.g. "Chore Wars," an online chore tracking game that is actually kind of fun). To see if the topic interests you, I reccomend you first track down and watch Ms. McGonigal's moderately famous TED talk from which this book takes its flight.