Gamertell

People who call themselves gamers already understand how playing videogames can contribute to life in a positive way. Some games require a very detailed strategical approach that encourages deep analysis of situations before making a move. Maggie Hommel thought it would be a good idea to have a videogame section in her library to attract more teenagers. As fate would have it, she was right.

Hommel is a librarian in Chicago, IL, who understands how videogames can encourage people to become more social. Her plan was to first get teens into the library using videogames, then encourage them to take up game programming and design classes. According to Hommel, the circulation of books catered to young adults has increased 60% since the library started offering videogames. The number of participants in the libraries summer reading program has increased to 450 members. On average the library received between 230 and 280 participants in the last two years. The teens then took the leap from playing games to learning how to design them at the library.

Her experience has shown some light on how games don’t just teach how to shoot everything that moves. Teens these days are becoming more interested in developing the games they love to play. Even if programming code is too intimidating to some, a good videogame still requires an immersible story that will stick with the player long after the adventure is done.

Read [Chicago Tribune] Also Read [The Cullman Times]