What about Board Games?

I found the Wii shall overcome article very interesting and think that some McGonigal’s points had some true merit.  I believe it would be exciting to incorporate gaming into helping others.  However, when McGonigal discussed how we are evolving, it reminded me of board games.  Board games are like video games in that you can compete, form alliances, and enhance skills such as reading, strategy, problem solving, and math.  Online video games allow you to reach individuals all across the world while board games only let you access those that are in the room with you.  While it is important to cooperate and communicate with individuals all across the world, I think the interaction within board games amongst people all in the same room is potentially more important.

            I do believe there is potential for online video games to make a large impact on the world in some way.  But I would hope that in-person games would not be lost.  Board games allow individuals to communicate and compete against people that they are already bonded too.  This bond can then be strengthened through playing board games.  How powerful would it be for two friends to help alleviate the “world’s ills” who have bonded in person rather than an interpersonal act of helping others through video games.  I wonder if online video games would separate people from their action of helping others.  The act of helping would just be a extra benefit to playing the game, rather than the sole purpose. I think that it might be more powerful to have a bonded group of individuals, through board games, working to help the world rather than through online video games.