First Prestation
Today, I’m going to talk about — How games enhance players’ initiative in terms of learning and public welfare through their interactivity?
First, let’s clarify a few definitions.
What is the interactivity of the game?
In computers, interactivity is the dialog that occurs between a human being and a computer program.
In the game, the game system will continuously respond to the player’s actions. This is the interactivity of the game.
What is players’ initiative?
Initiative means the ability to use your judgment to make decisions and do things without needing to be told what to do.
During gameplay, players receive different feedback depending on the interactivity of the game. This feedback can deepen the player’s perception of certain things and thus lead the player to behave accordingly.
What type of learning and public welfare can the game provide?
Due to the wide range of game genres, any discipline and public welfare can potentially be incorporated into the game. For example: environmental protection, scientific exploration, medical assistance, charitable donations, etc.
So, what’s the point?
In Reality is Broken, Jane said — Together, we can tackle what may be the most worthwhile, most epic obstacle of all: a whole-planetary mission, to use games to raise global quality of life, to prepare ourselves for the future, and to sustain our earth for the next millennium and beyond.
The United Nations has established 17 sustainable development goals, all of which can be used for the target of public welfare of the game.
And in 2019, the campaign “Playing for the Planet” was launched to promote environmental protection through playing games.
Game Cases & Aspects
Let’s take a look at the success cases that are already released.
The first example is a DLC for The Sims 4 – Eco Lifestyle. In this DLC, players need to improve the environment in which their characters live by acting environmentally friendly. This life-simulating gameplay will give players the idea to do so in real life.
The second example is Lords Mobile, which supports the anti-war movement by working with war child. It then partnered with Make-A-Wish International to help seriously ill children achieve their wishes. It organised a Charity Castle Design competition, where players sketched out castle skins and donated the proceeds.
A third example is EVE Online’s Project Discovery, which has so far successfully contributed to a number of important scientific research areas such as human cell classification, exoplanet discovery, Covid-19 analysis, and the study of human society.
Conclusion
So，How games enhance players’ initiative in terms of learning and public welfare through their interactivity?
One point is that the style and elements of the game need to fit the theme. To give the player an idea of what they are doing.
Another point is to make the most of the game mechanics. Make the mechanics fit the qualities of learning or public welfare in order to play a substantial role.
Ultimately, players actively practice learning and public service by understanding the gameplay and accepting the game setting.
Video
What’s Nest?
The current topic is solid and specific, next I will further flesh out the game case study and the results extracted from it, and study some literature research as a supplement and aid to make the essay look complete.