I think it's interesting as I reflected on this week's reading assignment and the topic of the "fix" for this week, "it's more fun with strangers". As I've played Settlers for all these weeks, I can't really think of a time when someone in the game hasn't been extremely helpful! The nature of the game provides for opportunities to help other players. The guilds themselves offer the opportunity for a player to engage and become "friends" with other players. The advantage of the guild seems to be that you've got a wealth of information in the communication with the other players. Additionally, the buffs that you can give to other players also offer the opportunities for players to have "positive participation". In fact, there have been several quests that require you to "buff" other players settlements in order to earn the quest reward. McGonigal states that "in order to turn a group of strangers into a community, you have to follow two basic steps: first, cultivate a shared interest among strangers, and, second, give them the opportunity and means to interact with each other around that interest" (Kindle Loc 2854-2856). The shared interests for all of us is to earn XP to level up throughout the game. Helping each other out in the game can give you a benefit and I think that as a player, if someone helps me out, I'm more likely to help others. I've also learned from other players, mostly those from the guild that I joined and they've been so helpful and have offered advice on what I need to do to improve my settlement. McGonigal states, "Experiencing a short burst of community in a space that previously felt uninviting or simply uninteresting can also permanently change our relationship to that space" (Kindle Locations 2865-2867). I would not have probably considered playing a game like this as I would have been concerned about the kind of people who would try to interact with me, but after playing the game and seeing how helpful everyone is, I am not hesitant to play at all.
The word "hack", to me, indicates tampering with something in order to gain something. I'm struggling to see this fix as frequently as I can relate to many others. I don't know if it's because I've spent less time playing everyday in the past couple of weeks, but it was interesting to me that McGonigal states that "recent research has shown that we don’t even have to know someone to experience the benefits of thanking and being nice to them. Even fleeting acts of gratitude and kindness toward strangers can have a profound impact on our happiness"(Kindle Locations 3126-3127). I can see how participation in the guilds or having many "friends" in your game environment can help create the gratitude and kindness spoken about. I've had a few members of my guild contact me with suggestions and I've seen them regularly visit my settlement to check how I'm doing. I've tried to follow their advice and when I can accomplish something based on the advice they've given, I am generally happier while playing.
Hi Michele,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I did not want to interact with anyone if at all possible. I was not open to having a conversation with people I would never meet. I still do not want to discuss things not related to the game. I have learned a lot from other players about the game and will, I presume continue to do so and maybe, I may even experience that permanent change of positive feelings for the space that is the game.
"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers" is not just a line from a movie. I try to instill in my students that acts of kindness are worthwhile for them to do, not just because it is right and good to do, but it is right and good for them. The feelings we get when we help others can be immeasurable to our own well being. I too, have enjoyed these acts of kindness from my guild members and I feel better when i can reciprocate. Happy settling.