I watched this video from TED and Jane McGonigal last week. She said that gamers are looking for an “epic win.” According to McGonigal we should all be encouraged to play online games more and to embrace fantasy, even going so far as to say that games and gamers can change the world and solve real world problems.
Of course, most of you reading this blog know that our real world epic win happened on the cross a couple of millennia ago. We also know that real world questions and answers need to be addressed in the real world. This is the responsibility of the Church.
So, do me a favor and watch this video and let me know what you think. Is there any hope for mankind in the gaming world? Are we inviting a generation to escape the truth and embrace lies? Or am I being too over dramatic?
Sorry this girl is either on drugs or she is hired by a gaming company. The people that i know who are spending their lives in the basement playing video ganes lack compassion, never offer to help others, complain when they have to do chores are addicted and usually cannot handle social situations. They seem self absorbed. If only Jesus had video games in his time. He would have solved all of the world problems.
It’s a pack of lies. Period
By: Frank Doiron on August 6, 2010
at 6:33 AM
The theory behind this video that playing games can enable individuals to solve problems in the “real world” is not new. I participated in several workshops in the 60s that were designed to teach the participants some principles of problem solving and human relations by playing games in small groups or teams. I believe that the general name for this kind of training was “Experiential education”. I have three volumes of “Structured Experiences for Human Relations Training” that were written by Dr. J. William Pfeiffer and Dr. John E. Jones and published by University Associates in 1969, 1970, and 1971. The experience of playing such games and going through such “experiences” can certainly be educational, but in most cases the principles that you are taught by “winning” are the principles for “winning” in the world. And many of these principles are contrary to those that Jesus taught to his disciples (who were “learners”) if they were to experience “victory” in their struggles with problems in the world. Experiencing victory over life’s problems cannot be done through “fun and games”. The lessons of discipleship and God’s process of sanctification are often not pleasant experiences, and they are not easily learned in a few sessions of “gaming”. Churches that try to use this strategy as the base of their teaching programs are in danger of misdirecting their “students” or their “disciples”.
By: Bob Sherbondy on August 7, 2010
at 7:28 AM