You might think making games is all about putting 40 percent awesome in a box, throwing in a pinch of zazz and calling it a SKU, but that's not true. Games, you may have noticed, are all around us, all the time.
In the video below, Carnegie Mellon professor and ex-imagineer Jesse Schell lays out a vision of the future in which our lives become, essentially, one big RPG.
Schell's discussion kicks off with some of the most unexpected gaming developments over the last few years, including:
- The sudden success of Guitar Hero.
- The Wii winning the console wars
- Webkins
- The incredible popularity of Xbox Achievements.
- Mafia Wars
"What do these have in common? A variety of psychological tricks," explains Schell, who then goes on to examine how these various gaming successes take advantage of humans instincts, and how we hunger "to get to anything real." He goes on to examine how gaming has extended to grading a class, driving a car, shopping and socializing, ending at a future where everything is a kind of game.
Seriously, watch the video. It's pretty mind-blowing. And check out the rest of our DICE 2010 coverage for more videos, news, interviews, photo galleries and more.



Comments
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Andrew Pfister
This was the second presentation of the morning, and it's still by far my favorite. You guys should definitely watch and comment on his points.
Jeffrey Kanjanapangka
Can we PLEASE get him over here to do any time of commentary? If it has to be about the philosophy of my lunch options then so be it. It'd still be the greatest thing ever.
Stephen Johnson
My mind is totally blown.
generalceasar
i like this guy, this guy makes very good points. Its about being in the real.
Metalstorm98
... clockwork orange anyone at the end?... the idea of this is damn scary... not to say that its not interesting but is it ethical?... do we want to allow access to every aspect to our life at all times?... idk but im just getting 1984 flashes in my head here... im not big in to conspiracy theory but we'd be one step closer to industry and government control of our lives if this happens
krypto74
This guy has an amazing style of delivery. His info is mind blowing.
azrael1981
that was awesome. i can totally see us getting to that point in the next 20 years or so.(its a little scary)
death__from__above
LMAO at the ipad part!
that was an amazing presentation, greatly looking forward to our future :D
DayleD
Insane...but this guy makes total sense. It's scary but amazing at the same time. Imagine the possibilitie...
uisdead99
achivement unlocked
MIND BLOWN
ObSoL33tSNiiPer
REAL LIFE ACHIEVEMENTS FTW
Rion Vanguard
LoL
"We live in a bubble of fake bullsiht."
Quote of the Decade right there.
Wowww..Experience points in CLASS..
..My mind is BLOWN.
NUKEMANN1995
that was insane, hope i get points for commenting. that guy is a genius
Sidewinder69
Good presentation.
Scary, but good.
jarmandoo
wish my math teacher used math like this. then math would be fun....kinda
DanRisen
Wow that presentation was incredible and hilarious. I'm not sure if i agree with his prediction on the whole points system being in everything we do, but i do like his point about technology diverging and also how little psychological tricks can make a big difference in games.
Great presentation and i would love to hear this mans ideas on other topics.
bigboi21
He's a creepy little awkward man...but makes a damn good point. I mean i'd ace every test if i got experience points that add up to a free homework pass or sometin. C'mon Supreme School Overlords (idk maybe real) we want real-life achievements!
Pyrrhus
i think my mind is about to be blown. He looks like a younger version of my psych professor
buiman11
This video Left me Stunned. I would have never expected I would watch that entire thing. But it's just, unfathomable.
SBanks
That was a GREAT presentation! Man would I love to sit with this guy for a day just to absorb a little of what this guys got.
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