Chap 9

Chap 9 begins by explaining exactly what a serious game is, the chapter states that serious games are games that are used for other purposes rather than entertainment. The chapter than explores the term Advertainment, which is a mixture of advertisement and entertainment. In some cases we find that these advertisements are hidden within the games play, which is especially noticeable in sports games in regards to what players wear and what is shown through gameplay. The chapter then talks about political games and computer games, and the categories that go into place and separate the two.

Then we see Neilson focus on Edutainment, Neilson says "edutainment started as a serious attempt to create video games that could teach children various subjects it was quickly marred."Neilson explains the best ways that a game can serve as a form of education for players and the best ways for the point to be sent across, the four elements include Fantasy, control, challenge, curiosity. Later in the chapter Neilson goes into depth about is it really worth it trying to make games educational and weather it serves a purpose.

Jane McGonigal argues the good of games and talks about how intelligent people who play games are. In her article she talks about the game community of halo and how they interact with each other through the internet. In her speech on TED.com she talks about the importance of gaming and how they bring the best out of players. She makes claims that even by playing games like world of warcraft, which inspire us to be more heroic. Basically saying that the game world can translate into the real world and make us better people as a whole.

Do you personally enjoy Serious gaming?......Do you think that serious games work in educating its players?