Game designer and Ludologist Dr. Jane McGonigal stands outside with trees in the background. She is wearing a sparkling pink-purple blazer. She is smiling lightly at the camera and has very light blonde hair falling over her shoulders. (Photographed by Christopher Michel in 2021.)

ANNOUNCEMENT: SMOLOGIES NOW HAS ITS OWN FEED! SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY THURSDAY.

Games! Play! Fun! Addiction? Flim-flam? From the origins of tabletop classics to the future of VR, Dr. Jane McGonigal answers our burning questions. This video game developer, TED speaker and bestselling author is an expert on how playing -- and especially video games -- can motivate, soothe and connect us. Will video games turn your child into a future car thief? How do they make you stronger? How much is too much? What about slot machines? Everyone who loves games (and everyone who hates games) should hear this one.

Listen via Stitcher, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts

The uncut, adult version of Ludology

More Smologies episodes

Dr. McGonigal’s website and Twitter

Dr. McGonigal’s new book “Imaginable” is due out March 22, 2022

A donation went to AbleGamers

Some links that perhaps you’ll enjoy:

Dr. McGonigal’s book, “SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully”

Dr. McGonigal’s TED Talk

First use of “Ludology”

The news covers video games in the 1980s and it’s wonderful

Elizabeth Magie, a cool lady who got ripped off