Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World

by Jane McGonigal

It is games that give us something to do when there is nothing to do. We thus call games “pastimes” and regard them as trifling fillers of the interstices of our lives. But they are much more important than that. They are clues to the future. And their serious cultivation now is perhaps our only salvation. —BERNARD SUITS, philosopher

Reality, compared to games, is broken.

through the lens of Herodotus’ history, we can see how games could be a purposeful escape, a thoughtful and active escape, and most importantly an extremely helpful escape.

If you are a gamer, it’s time to get over any regret you might feel about spending so much time playing games. You have not been wasting your time. You have been building up a wealth of virtual experience that, as the first half of this book will show you, can teach you about your true self: what your core strengths are, what really motivates you, and what make you happiest.

all games share four defining traits: a goal, rules, a feedback system, and voluntary participation.

Traditionally, we have needed instructions in order to play a game. But now we’re often invited to learn as we go.

it’s a truism in the game industry that a well-designed game should be playable immediately, with no instruction whatsoever.