Fix 9-10

More Fun with Strangers

I have been playing the game Settlers for more than a month now and must say it gets more enjoyable as the weeks go by.  I recently joined a guild and have experienced so much more with the game than I have before.  I do not think I have ever given so much gratitude to other people inside of a game.  On a daily basis my guild members have helped me out or have asked how they can help me achieve my guild quests, production, or even clearing land.  McGonigal (2011) states, “They [players] learn to see strangers for the potential relationships they represent, not just as obstacles to avoid as they pass by.” (p. 140)  I have to admit, I avoided other players and thought I could achieve things on my own.  That mindset did not get me very far…I struggled to complete quests and it took me a lot longer than it does now.  Now, I talk with a lot of my guild members on a daily basis and share things that does not always pertain to the game.  We share how our day is going, challenges outside of the game, and give well wishes to each other.  McGonigal (2011) also states, “It not only heightens your awareness of the potential for strangers to play a role in your life, it also provokes a real curiosity about others, and longing to connect.” (p. 140) I find myself wondering how people’s lives are and if they are as helpful outside of the game. I have started asking more questions about the game itself and about the people.  I have also started sharing more information about myself within the game and outside. I am enjoying the community feeling.  It is nice to know that everyone is there to help each other and not each other fail.

I believe by having guilds in the game it creates an environment where everyone works towards a common interest. We are trying to create a strong guild that allows for positive interaction and strong sense of unity where we help each other build up their settlements.  McGonigal mentions, “Learning to improvise with strangers toward a shared goal teaches players what they call “swarm intelligence”—intelligence that makes people better able and more likely to band together towards positive ends.” (p. 142) I recently had a guild member ask me what I needed to clear sector 8 on my settlement.  I told him I was trying to build up my army in order to start attacking.  He then asked me what supplies I needed to build more and faster.  At that time I was waiting for bronze swords and brew in order to create more.  I told him I was waiting on these few things and he donated 10,000 of each then he donated 8,000 bread so I had extra.  After that he donated 1,000 marble so I could upgrade my barracks to speed up my production of my army.  I was in awe…I could not believe someone would do so much to help me!  I said thank you a billion times and his response was, “if you need anything just ask.”  He also said he was helped a lot when he was new and he is helping me out now so I can do it in return too. How amazing!  I try to help out as much as I can and as soon as I started producing quantities as large as the others I will too want to help someone new.

Happiness Hacks

I have previously explained how much gratitude I have expressed towards my guild members and how kind each one of them are to help me build my settlement and complete my quests.  I believe this is an experience of a happiness hack in the game.  McGonigal (2011) has found that, “The two most frequently recommended happiness activities across the scientific literature are to express gratitude and practice acts of kindness.” (p. 155) I have expressed a lot of gratitude and am still working on helping others if at all possible.  I have been shown a lot of kindness from my guild members and in return I want to show the same amount of kindness to my community of guild members.

When it comes to “jen ratio” (p. 155) that McGonigal mentions, I believe I have experienced nothing but positive interactions within my guild.  I am comparing my guild chat room as the “given place” and my time spent in the chat room as my “given time”.  I have not experienced any negative interactions and have actually enjoyed participating in the chats and have enjoyed watching my guild members chat.  There are times that the guild members will notice I am on and ask how I am doing…I feel a real sense of belonging when they notice me and ask how things are going.  They seek me out instead of me just seeking them out. Again, I believe this is another example of a strong happiness hack.

Overall, the Settlers experience with a guild seems like a “happiness hack.”  Compared to the game C2BK, we are providing kindness to others and helping each other out when we can, making everyone happy and fulfilled.  McGonigal (2011) states, “The game also has the novelty than ordinary acts of kindness.  It encourages you to think about being nice to strangers in different environments—and the possibilities are endless.” (p. 160) We do not know the people we are interacting with in the game Settlers or in the game C2BK but we are still kind and nice to one another. We do not know where our kindness will go or where it will take us but we do know no matter if we are receiving or giving kindness we are remaining happy.

Also, wanted to share that I recently experienced a “loot spot” and was amazed by that experience.  To know that someone would allow you to join in on their adventure and not do much only to get all the loot they would get is just a pure sign of kindness! If you haven’t experienced this yet ask your guild members about it and join in on one! J


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