What is a Game?: Crash Course Games #1
Sociologist
A Scientist who examines the relationships, values, and institutions of communities of people
Gamification
Selective use of game design and game mechanics to motivate "players" to complete real life goals
Dictionary definition of game
a construct that organizes play through a series of rules, for the purpose of achieving a set of goals, overcoming an obstacle, and/or obtaining an objective
Studies from China and Australia indicate that expert-level video game players have
a measurable increase in cognitive functions, perception, and motor control. These players were found to have increased gray matter and increased connectivity in their brains!
Crawfords definition of challenge
a plaything with a goal
Crawfords definition of toy
a plaything without a goal
epidemiologist
a specialist in the study of outbreaks of disease within a population group
mana
a supernatural, impersonal force that inhabits certain objects or people and is believed to confer success and/or strength
Jane McGonagall
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
Crawfords definition of play thing
any kind of interactive entertainment
Crawfords definition of conflict
challenge with another active agent or person involved
Crawfords definition of puzzle
challenge with no other active agent or person involved
Crawfords definition of game
conflict where the participants do interact or interfere with each other
Crawfords definition of competition
conflict where the participants don't interact or interfere with each other
formulaic
done according to an overused method; trite
A virtual reality game called Snow World is being used for
pain management. Burn victims report less pain during bandage removal and reapplication while playing this game.
An Oxford University study indicated that playing Tetris can
reduce the after effects of psychological trauma and might offer relief of PTSD symptoms.
In 2011 players of an online game called Fold It helped
scientists solve a decade old problem in under 10 days! Players help doctors and computers fold proteins and other structures to support drug research.
A hospital in Florida studied their surgeons who played video games before performing surgery and found that
surgeons who played video games for more than three hours in a week made 37 percent fewer errors. They were 27 percent faster during surgery over those surgeons who did not.
