Reality is Broken: GDC08 Rant by Jane McGonigal

Jane McGonigal RANT GDC 2008

Reality is broken. Why aren’t game designers trying to fix it?

1. Satisfying work to do 2. The experience of being good at something 3. Time spent with people we like 4. The chance to be a part of something bigger

Games are the ultimate happiness engine .

If you are a game designer, then YOU are in the happiness business.

“ Why should we care about games?

Because life is crap.

Life is crap, and the ONLY thing that makes it worth living is art – and play.”

Brian Sutton Smith

“ Why should we care about games?

Because life is crap.

Life is crap, and the ONLY thing that makes it worth living is art – and play.”

Brian Sutton Smith

and that’s why I’m a game designer.

GAMES KILL BOREDOM

Found to be Fatal to Dangerous Lack of Engagement

Games have a value as an aid to quality of life even greater and more direct than has hitherto been suspected. The ordinary routine of playing a game is fatal to conditions of boredom, inertia, disinterest, and other serious afflictions of dealing with everyday life.

GAMES KILL ALIENATION

Found to be Fatal to Dangerous Lack of Friends, Allies

Games have a value as an aid to quality of life even greater and more direct than has hitherto been suspected. The ordinary routine of playing a game is fatal to conditions of social alienation, loneliness, lack of community, friendlessness, and other serious afflictions of co-existing with real people.

GAMES KILL ANXIETY

Found to be Fatal to Dangerous Lack of Confidence

Games have a value as an aid to quality of life even greater and more direct than has hitherto been suspected. The ordinary routine of playing a game is fatal to conditions of anxiety, fear, social awkwardness and other serious afflictions of being human and alive.

GAMES KILL DEPRESSION

Found to be Fatal to Dangerous Lack of Purpose & Meaning

Games have a value as an aid to quality of life even greater and more direct than has hitherto been suspected. The ordinary routine of playing a game is fatal to conditions of depression, existential angst, human suffering and other serious afflictions of real life.