The Cooperation Principle
We’ve all heard of the saying, “there’s no ‘I’ in team.” And while that may be true, there’s also no “we” without individual players. In other words, effective teamwork requires the coming together of unique individuals, each with their own set of skills and talents. But what makes a team truly effective? Is it simply a matter of putting the right people together? Or is there something more to it?
Collaboration in Video Games
In her Ted Talk “Gaming can make a better world”, Jane Mcgonical discusses how games might make people better. She argues that video games help us to implement problem solving and collaborative ideas in the real world. And she has a point. Games are, by their very nature, collaborative tools. Just think about it: in order to win most games, players must work together towards a common goal. In the process, they learn how to communicate effectively, to delegate tasks, and to trust one another. They learn how to cooperate. Alternate reality games, or ARGs, are a perfect example of this. ARGs require players to work together in order to progress. This encourages players to think critically about collaboration and to develop skills that can be transferred to the real world.
Now, what exactly is cooperation? Well, according to Emma Witowski’s Cooperative Play chapter, cooperation is “a type of social interaction in which players work together to complete a task or goals”. And Clara Fernández-Vara’s “Introduction to Game Analysis” defines it as “the act of playing a game together”. In both cases, cooperation requires players to communicate, share resources, and work together in order to achieve a common goal. Collaboration is essential for effective teams. It allows team members to utilize each other’s strengths and weaknesses in order to reach their objectives faster and more efficiently. Through cooperation, team members can learn from each other, grow as individuals, and develop a strong sense of camaraderie. So basically, cooperation is working together towards a common goal. But why is that so important?
For one thing, cooperation encourages us to think critically about collaboration. We become better at working together and understanding what it means to coexist with other people. Games teach us that we need others in order to achieve our goals—and that’s an important lesson to learn in today’s increasingly interconnected world. After all, we live in a global society where more and more people are coming into contact with one another on a daily basis. In order to get along and make our world a better place, we need to learn how to cooperate with one another. And what better way to do that than through play?
In the end, cooperation is an essential skill—not just in video games but also in our everyday lives. Cooperation allows us to achieve common goals, learn problem-solving skills, and work together towards a better future. It teaches us that we are all part of something larger than ourselves and that together we can make a difference. Effective teamwork requires collaboration from individuals with diverse talents and skills.
What is an ARG and Why is are they Good Examples of Collaborative Tools?
ARGs and other multi-player games are more than just entertainment; they are powerful collaborative tools that can help us to think critically about important issues such as cooperation and problem-solving. So next time you’re looking for a new game to play, remember that you’re also choosing a tool that has the potential to make you better thinker and a more effective collaborator.
ARGs are designed to encourage player collaboration. They are multi-player games that often require players to work together to solve puzzles or progress in the game. This type of game play encourages players to think critically about collaboration. We become better at working together and understanding what it means to coexist with other people.Players of ARGs often form online communities where they can discuss the game and collaborate with other players. These communities can be incredibly supportive and helpful, especially for newcomers to the genre. There is a real sense of camaraderie among ARG players.
One of the most popular ARGs of all time is “I Love Bees”. The game was developed by Microsoft as a tie-in for the release of Halo 2. Players were given a mysterious phone number and had to call it repeatedly over the course of several weeks. They were then given clues that led them on a treasure hunt around their city. The game required players to work together to solve puzzles and progress in the game. Players were also encouraged to form online communities where they could discuss the game and collaborate with other players.”I Love Bees” was an incredibly successful ARG, with millions of players worldwide.”
I Love Bees” demonstrated the power of collaboration and how it can be used to solve difficult problems. It also showed us that working together is much more effective than going it alone. ARGs are a great way to learn important skills such as communication, trust, and problem-solving. They are also perfect examples of cooperation in action. So if you’re looking for a game that will challenge your thinking and teach you valuable skills, an ARG might just be the perfect choice. Games that emphasize collaboration can be incredibly powerful tools for teaching us how to work together in order to achieve our goals. Whether it’s an ARG or a cooperative board game, playing together can help us to think critically about collaboration and build better relationships.
Conclusion
ARGs encourage us to think critically about collaboration—and that’s a good thing! By cooperating with others in these games, we learn how to communicate effectively and trust one another. We learn how essential teamwork is for achieving success. So next time you’re feeling cooperative, why not pick up an ARG? You just might find yourself learning a thing or two about working with others—and having a lot of fun in the process! At the end of the day, cooperation isn’t just about winning games. It’s about developing a better understanding of how we all fit into this big, complicated world. With that in mind, let’s continue to explore the power of collaboration and see what we can learn. Who knows? Maybe with enough practice, we’ll unlock new ways to build a better future—together.
Works Cited:
McGonigal, J. (2011, February). Gaming can make a better world. https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world
