She wanted to get not just better, but SuperBetter, and realized that creating a game was the way to go, since people do not feel stressed when they overcome challenges through a game. The author came up with this idea, while she was recovering from a brain injury. So, why not use games to your advantage, instead of criticizing them? “Superbetter Summary”ĭo you think they are just a way to escape reality and waste time that could be otherwise spent on other, more important things that could actually improve the quality of people’s lives?īecause games are fun, and people love doing fun things. She is an author, a Director of Games Research and Development at the Institute of the Future in Palo Alto, California and a creator of alternate reality games. Jane McGonigal is a researcher on game perception and game development.

Games are happening, and we cannot fight them, so why not find out how we can use them to improve our lives? About Jane McGonigal It is a guideline for people who have undergone trauma and are looking for ways to heal, as well as all others who feel that games are a waste of time. “SuperBetter” is a book about games, and the impact they have, as well as the impact they could have on our lives. (Sept.5 min read ⌚ The Power of Living GamefullyĬontrary to what you may believe, this is not that bad. Agent: Chris Parris-Lamb, the Gernert Agency. While the book can be tedious and repetitive, the Superbetter game comes across as an appealingly playful approach to self-help and daily life improvement.

Some are physical exercises, such as the “Power Breath,” where a player must inhale for four seconds, then exhale for eight, for a total of five minutes, while other quests are more challenging thought experiments, for instance, the Alternate Universe quest, which asks players to imagine how they would spend their time if all their current worries were solved. There are 45 “quests,” or mini-games, throughout, each providing a step-by-step process for building resilience, overcoming obstacles, and accomplishing goals. The Superbetter game has seven principles, including “challenge yourself,” “seek out quests,” “battle the bad guys,” and “go for epic wins.” The book is divided into three parts: Part 1 explains supporting research, Part 2 teaches “how to be gameful,” and Part 3 describes the games themselves. Based on research, McGonigal concluded that undertaking “an extreme challenge” can help people unleash their best qualities and live happier lives. In this intriguing if sometimes slow-going guide, game designer McGonigal explains a self-help regimen that draws on her insights into the psychology of gam.

Super Better by Jane McGonigal