Minecraft, Charity, and the United Nations

While I don't agree completely with Jane McGonigal, I do think video games have the potential to inspire others to change the world and do good. However, I think it's very dependent on what game we're talking about and how the game is being used. I don't think the average Call of Duty player is making a ton of tight social bonds (strong ties vs. weak ties, anyone?), but those who do play with friends and communicate (about the game, not just chatting) while they're playing the game may be developing some problem solving skills.

There is one game in particular, though, that I think is very different. Minecraft is basically virtual LEGOs. Minecraft was mentioned in today's discussion, and I agree that it's a very social game. This is kind of ironic, considering it started out as a game about a lone player in an endless world (literally - it'll go on forever or until your computer crashes from the size), with no one else in the game but blocky zombies and animals. But the multiplayer aspect has become immensely popular. There are many people on YouTube who make videos of themselves playing Minecraft, and an entire community has been formed through the game and these video makers. So what does that mean? So what if a bunch of nerds are making videos of video games?

Charity, that's what. One YouTube personality that I can think of is actually raising money for charity through his videos. Kurtjmac makes videos of himself playing the game and encourages people to donate to Child's Play, a charity devoted to improving the lives of children in hospitals - by giving them games, books, and toys. Over $85,000 has been raised through him as of June 2011. That's incredible! I'm not sure that it has so much to do with the game itself, but regardless the connection between the viewers and this Kurtjmac is a video game, and it's motivating people to donate.

Another striking thing that's happening is Minecraft's developer, Mojang, is partnering with UN-Habitat. Their collaboration ("Block by Block"), "aims to involve youth in the planning process in urban areas by giving them the opportunity to show planners and decision makers how they would like to see their cities in the future." They plan on using Minecraft to update and improve 300 public spaces by 2016. This is the pilot project -  Kibera, an informal settlement in Nairobi.

I think both examples are exactly what McGonigal was talking about. Minecraft is a very unique game that's already got people making ripples in the world.



Kurtjmac's youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/kurtjmac?feature=results_main
Mojang's partnership with the UN: http://www.mojang.com/2012/09/mojang-and-un-presents-block-by-block/