Jane McGonigal

Jane McGonigal is a prominent American game designer, author, and researcher, best known for her innovative work in the field of alternate reality games. She currently serves as the Creative Director and Consultant at Avant Game, where she develops games aimed at solving real-world problems and enhancing well-being.

Education and Early Career

McGonigal earned her Ph.D. in Performance Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was the first in her department to focus on computer and video games. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Fordham University. Before her current roles, she taught game design and theory at both UC Berkeley and the San Francisco Art Institute.

Major Contributions

She is the creator of several influential games, including SuperBetter, which helps players recover from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This game has reportedly assisted over a million players in improving their resilience and overall health. McGonigal's work extends to creating games for various high-profile organizations, including the American Heart Association and the World Bank.

Publications

McGonigal is a New York Times bestselling author, with notable works including:

• Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World
• SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully
• IMAGINABLE: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything—Even Things That Seem Impossible Today

Her books explore how gaming can be leveraged to improve real lives and address societal challenges.

Research Focus

As the Director of Game Research and Development at the Institute for the Future (IFTF), McGonigal studies how games can transform personal experiences and societal structures. Her research emphasizes using gaming as a tool for future forecasting, resilience building, and addressing pressing global issues like poverty and climate change.

Public Engagement

McGonigal is also a sought-after speaker, having delivered popular TED talks that have garnered millions of views. She engages with global audiences on topics related to gaming, futurism, and human potential.

In summary, Jane McGonigal's work combines her expertise in game design with a commitment to social impact, making her a leading figure in using games for positive change.