The Strange Truth About Schools. You Cannot Make It Up.

Why the gamification of life must be taken seriously.

Photo courtesy of author

Would you play a video game version of your life? And do you think such a game would sell?

I know video games are not for everyone. Some see them as a waste of time — harmful even. “Video games encourage an unhealthy lifestyle or violence.” But I read earlier this year that more than half of the US population can be considered a digital gamer in 2022. Close to 90% of these gamers play on their mobile devices.

And these amazing numbers make sense. Normally, we play video games to escape real life for a little while — a perfect way to de-stress and pretend you’re someone else. They provide a platform to make our dreams come true. A player in the NFL or NBA. A fighter pilot. A time traveler. A sorcerer or high wizard. A restaurant owner. A God or other omnipotent being.

You name it. There is always a game that offers an exciting environment and lets you experience the adventure of a lifetime.

So, back to the questions. Would you play the video game version of your life, and would it sell?

Until this week, my answers would have been “WTF no!” At least, for the school parts. Who want to simulate life as a college prof? (If you didn’t know I am not a fighter pilot or sorcerer.) Not me, for sure.

But then something interesting happened.

A Campus Simulator

Tuesday, August 9, came as a complete surprise.

A new video game was released: Two Point Campus. It’s a “business management simulator.”

The game wants you to build your dream school. You have to hire and train staff, add new courses, manage finances, and do other things necessary to increase student happiness (and become a wealthier and more attractive school).

I thought the game was a mad idea. Are there actually people out there who dream of what it feels like to manage a school?

Also, I thought the cartoonish characters and silliness level would completely turn me off.

But working at a university for almost twenty-five years sparked my interest. So, I…