A game is an opportunity to focus our energy, with relentless optimism, at something weโre good at (or getting better at) and enjoy. In other words, gameplay is the direct emotional opposite of depression.
Jane McGonigalThere is so much more knowledge than most people realize about how to maximize the benefits of play and minimize the potential harms.
Jane McGonigalIt seems like what happens when we play games is that we go into a psychological state called eustress, or positive stress. It's basically the same as negative stress in the sense that we get our adrenaline up, you know, our breathing rate quickens, our pulse quickens.
Jane McGonigalResearch shows that when we're under stress or facing a major obstacle, we tend to focus on our weaknesses and what we're afraid of.
Jane McGonigalI want gaming to be something that everybody does, because they understand that games can be a real solution to problems and a real source of happiness. I want games to be something everybody learns how to design and develop, because they understand that games are a real platform for change and getting things done. And I want families, schools, companies, industries, cities, countries, and the whole world to come together to play them, because weโre finally making games that tackle real dilemmas and improve real lives.
Jane McGonigal