Ep 35. The Future of Video Games: Jesse Schell's Visions of the Gamepocalypse

The episode "The Future of Video Games: Jesse Schell's Visions of the Gamepocalypse" of FORA.tv Technology season 1 explores the possible future of video gaming, as envisioned by game designer and Carnegie Mellon professor Jesse Schell. Schell argues that video games are becoming increasingly immersive and intertwined with everyday life, a trend that will only continue in the coming years.

Schell first discusses the current state of video games and their impact on society. He notes that although there is still some stigma around gaming, it has become a huge industry with millions of players and billions of dollars in revenue. He also emphasizes that games have the power to affect people emotionally and intellectually in profound ways, and that they are becoming more and more integrated into a wider range of fields and industries, from education to healthcare to military training.

Schell then turns to his predictions for the future of gaming, which he calls the "Gamepocalypse." In this vision of the future, gaming and technology will become even more deeply intertwined, to the point where they are essentially inseparable. Players will have fully immersive experiences that blur the boundaries between real life and virtual reality, and games will be able to gather and process vast amounts of data about their players, which can be used to create even more engaging and personalized experiences.

One of the most intriguing parts of Schell's vision is the idea of "gamifying" everyday life. Schell predicts that in the future, we will be able to use games to motivate ourselves to do everything from exercising to studying to working to socializing. Games will become an integral part of our daily routines, helping us to set and achieve goals, build new skills, and connect with others more effectively.

Schell also predicts that gaming will become much more social in the future. Games will be increasingly designed to be played with others, whether that means friends from around the world or strangers who share similar interests. Players will be able to form communities and share experiences in ways that are currently unimaginable, and gaming will help to break down barriers between people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.

Finally, Schell explores some of the potential downsides of this future. He acknowledges that there are risks associated with becoming too dependent on technology, and that gaming addiction is a real and serious problem for some people. He also notes that as games become more immersive and personal, there is a risk that they could be used to manipulate or exploit players, particularly if the data gathered about them is used for nefarious purposes.

Overall, "The Future of Video Games: Jesse Schell's Visions of the Gamepocalypse" offers a fascinating glimpse into the potential future of gaming, as imagined by one of the field's top designers and thinkers. Schell's vision is both exciting and thought-provoking, and it raises important questions about the role that games and technology will play in our lives in the years to come.