Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better And How They Can Change The World (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I couldn't over come the cynicism that drips from this book. I should have gathered from the title, but it really describes how much better games can make our real world. Sure, but the real world isn't broken, because if its was then nothing anyone could do would be able to effect it. Also a lot of time is spent on her own projects, which is fine, but when you spend 20 pages describing a new way for the public to interact with cemetaries, it gets so boring. Everytime she introduced a new game being developed in the world, she breaks it down to the most minute detail instead of trusting the reader to conduct more research on their own if they are that inclined by the premise of the game. I had the pleasure of seeing this author speak recently. She's a compelling speaker and I found myself wanting to know more about her work with games and their ability to change the world. Thus, I picked up this book. Turns out, she is a compelling author too. While the book starts to lose steam toward the end, most of it is engaging and intriguing. I admit to being a skeptic when I started but by the end I was starting to believe what she says about the ability of games to change the world and impact social change. Intriguing, well written and without lots of technical jargon.
What do You think about Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better And How They Can Change The World (2011)?
This is the book that started it all. A must read for anyone interested in gamficiation.
—KimMangoLove
A great book about gaming and the social good it can create.
—reham
Very thought provoking, full of great ideas and links
—Sam
It's a amazing book about gamification. Recommended.
—Gene
