Date of Birth: October 21, 1977
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Biography
Jane McGonigal is an American game designer, author, and advocate for the use of digital games and technology to improve real-world problems. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, McGonigal developed an early interest in gaming, which later evolved into a career focused on creating games that promote social good and mental health. She earned her Ph.D. in performance studies from the University of California, Berkeley, where she explored the intersection of gaming and real-world performance. McGonigal is best known for her work in alternate reality games (ARGs) and her belief that gaming can be used to solve real-world challenges. Her book “Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World” became a bestseller and has influenced both the gaming industry and public perception about the potential benefits of gaming. She has designed games like “SuperBetter,” which was created to help individuals recover from mental and physical health challenges, inspired by her own experience with a severe concussion. Throughout her career, McGonigal has received numerous awards and accolades for her innovative work, including being named one of the “Top 100 Creative People in Business” by Fast Company and one of the “10 Most Powerful Women to Watch” by Forbes. She continues to speak globally about the importance of harnessing the power of games for positive impact.
5 Interesting Facts about Jane McGonigal
1. McGonigal’s game “SuperBetter” was inspired by her own recovery from a debilitating concussion.
2. She has a twin sister, Kelly McGonigal, who is a well-known health psychologist and author.
3. Jane McGonigal has delivered TED Talks that have been viewed millions of times, discussing the potential of games to improve real life.
4. She holds a Ph.D. in performance studies from the University of California, Berkeley.
5. McGonigal’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Wired, and The Economist, among other prominent publications.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jane McGonigal
1. “Reality is broken. Game designers can fix it.”
2. “When you play a game, you know that failure is not something to be afraid of. It’s something to be celebrated.”
3. “We can make any future we can imagine, as long as we can leverage the power of games to solve real problems.”
4. “In gaming, you get instant feedback that you are making progress. In real life, it can be hard to see the impact of your efforts.”
5. “Games are a platform for bringing people together for a common purpose, and that’s a powerful force for good.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Jane McGonigal’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Jane McGonigal does not publicly share detailed information about her personal life, including whether she has any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Jane McGonigal’s Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_McGonigal
2. [Jane McGonigal’s TED Talks](https://www.ted.com/speakers/jane_mcgonigal
3. [Jane McGonigal’s Official Website](http://janemcgonigal.com/
4. [SuperBetter Website](https://www.superbetter.com/