Since posting 26 Learning Games to Change the World I have continued to check out various games and delve much more deeply into how games can provide platforms for learning and social change. Fertile ground, to say the least.

One thing that has become clear along the way (if it wasn’t already) is that MMOGs - Massive Multi-player Online Games - are certainly making their mark. I’ll just submit one choice piece of evidence for the time being. Namely, a recent Harvard Business Review article that references the incredibly popular World of Warcraft (more than 10 million players and counting) in suggesting that:

The best sign that someone’s qualified to run an internet startup may not be an MBA degree, but level 70 guild leader status. [As quoted in a very good, highly-recommended article by Tom Chatfield in Prospect Magazine.]

Guilds are central to WOW, as are relationships in general. For one thing, you are unlikely to conduct a successful raid against an enemy without strong relationships.  And, of course, defeating the enemy is among the more obvious goals of the game.

What is the equivalent in the world of games for change (where you would certainly think relationships would play a big role)? As I poke around, I find plenty of experiential learning games that may be effective for teaching content and concepts to a single learner/player or a relatively small group. Nearly all of the 26 Games fall in this camp.

But where are the massive, multi-player games for change? Where is the highly social, situated learning? World Without Oil seems the closest, but it shut down in June 2007, after its 32-week cycle. Are there others? If you happen to have created a MMO game for change, participated in one, or simply know about some good ones out there, please comment and share a link and your experience with the other readers here at Mission to Learn.

Many thanks,

Jeff

Related posts:

1. 7 More Learning Games for Change
2. 36 Learning Games to Change the World
3. New Serious Games - Serious Games News
4. The Growing Learning Games for Change List
5. 5 Games Against Poverty and Hunger