Fix 7-8

Wholehearted Participation

I must admit when I started playing this game I was not as interested as I am now.  I did not want to get on everyday and I was discouraged when it came to completing quests.  As I started playing more and understanding more about the game I became more interested.  I would wait until the end of the day to get on and complete my daily routines but now I get on first thing in the morning to get things going to use throughout the day.  I may log on during my breaks at school to check the progress of production.  I will also get on once I get home to make sure my mines or wheat fields have not been depleted.  I must say that joining a guild has really motivated me as well.  They truly are there to help you along the way and have offered assistance along the way.  I now look at the game more optimistically than I did before.  I have experienced more of the four intrinsic rewards.  McGonigal (2011) states, “ARGs are designed to make it easier to generate the four intrinsic rewards we crave—more satisfying work, better hope of success, stronger social connectivity, and more meaning—whenever we can’t or don’t want to be in a virtual environment.” (p. 104) By socializing and getting help with more things I am able to advance further.  When I advance further I enjoy playing more, as I play more the more I understand, and the more I understand the more meaning the game has. (I have to say this past statement reminds me of the cable commercials, but positive J) Overall, my wholehearted participation has increased not because of the grade reward (not sure if I will make the A) but because I am actually enjoying it more.

Meaningful Rewards

As I think about meaningful rewards I relate it to Nike+ that McGonigal (2011) mentions. (p. 130-134)  Nike+ is a rewards system for runners.  The runners are challenged with new distances, faster speeds, and social recognition for their accomplishments.  I am a runner and have been running for quite a few years.  I have had my times where running just wasn’t enough so my husband invested in Nike+.  My motivation skyrocketed with Nike+, my best time and farthest distance was tracked using it.  I used a small chip like device and put it in my shoe (you have to have Nike+ shoes) and the other part of the device was attached to my iPod.  As I ran I would hear motivational messages through my iPod.  In the end I would check to see what my overall time and distance was, I would always work to improve these two things and the device really helped in achieving these goals!  The rewards in reaching goals challenged me to do more, work harder, and achieve more.

The types of rewards that Nike+ gave me can be compared to Settlers because I did not feel as motivated in the beginning with either one.  I only started to become motivated by the rewards and the new challenges.  As I reached different levels in Settlers and was successful at new challenges I felt rewarded at greater levels. I think my greater rewards now are leveling up at the higher levels because they are much harder to level up.  As I complete adventures and gain “green stars” I feel more accomplished.

Joining the guild has also made me feel better about the game because I feel like everything can be accomplished with the help of others, others that you have a stronger connection to than others that play the game.  I do not have the feeling of defeat and in fact have not had it since I have joined a guild.  I know I can ask questions and get the assistance I need which makes me feel more in control of the game and my success.  Joining a guild is a reward in itself with all of the things they give you, advice and material things, to help you move along! 


McGonigal, J. (2011). Reality is Broken. New York: Penguin Group.