Jane McGonigal (born October 21, 1977) is an American game designer and author who advocates the use of mobile and digital technology to channel positive attitudes and collaboration in a real world context. Read full biography of Jane McGonigal →
Gamers always believe that an epic win is possible and that it's always worth trying, and trying now. Gamers don't sit around.
Playing with avatars that are powerful in a game world, or avatars that we find attractive, makes us more confident and optimistic, so that we're... →
Scientists have demonstrated that dramatic, positive changes can occur in our lives as a direct result of facing an extreme challenge - whether... →
Urgent optimism is the desire to act immediately to tackle an obstacle, combined with the belief that we have a reasonable hope of success.
Game developers know that people have more fun when they're in large groups. They feel more fired up when the challenges are more epic.
For most people, an hour a day playing our favorite games will power up our ability to engage whole-heartedly with difficult challenges, strengthen... →
When parents or gamers ask me, 'What's the best game to play?' I say that playing face-to-face is more beneficial than playing online.
There is no problem that doesn't have some underlying need for more optimism, stamina, resilience and collaboration. And games are, I believe... →
If you make it a game, gamers will play it no matter what your motivation is in making it.
The idea of the 'lone gamer' is really not true anymore. Up to 65 percent of gaming now is social, played either online or in the same room... →
Clinically speaking, depression is a pessimistic sense of your own capabilities, and despondent lack of energy.
I'm not a fan of simulations. Where, 'Oh, we'll go play a simulation of world peace and figure out how to make peace' and then... →
The single biggest misconception about games is that they're an escapist waste of time.