Heather Maxwell, PhD’s Post

University of Melbourne lecturer, Jesse Olsen, was recently interviewed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and he's found that evidence is growing to suggest that RPGs (role-playing games) like Dungeons and Dragons help people develop skills for the workplace. Olsen found that "the game helped children improve their communication, self-awareness and critical thinking skills, and adults' team-building abilities developed by playing it." To people on the outside, Dungeons and Dragons and other similar RPGs may seem like a strange hobby. Rolling dice with more than 6 sides (and you never thought you'd ever use the word "dodecahedron" again, didn't you?), using magic and, in die-hard circles, attending conventions and games in full character costume. But there is more to this game, and others in this genre, than meets the eye. It's a game of strategy, calculated risk-taking, teaming up with others, playing the long game, and adapting to the unanticipated changes that try to thwart your best-laid strategies and scenario plans. People prepare for these events for weeks and in doing so, are inadvertently strengthening their transferrable skills of critical thinking, teamwork, communication, adaptability and ability to recognise an opportunity when it appears. What this emerging research is highlighting is that you don't have to wait until you start work to build these 'business' skills, and you don't have to rely only on your workplace to develop them as an adult. So perhaps it's time to ring a few friends, dust off that old box and get into a game of chance. Your career might just thank you for it. #youcangoyourownway #RPG #kickingitoldschool #softskills https://lnkd.in/gjFp5Yyx

I need your help! PlayVS is pursuing a panel for the Game Industry track at SXSW 2025, discussing the mental health and academic benefits of esports as well as how organizations, like the NFL, can use esports to drive community engagement. The panel will consist of our CEO Jon Chapman, PlayVS Super Coach and coach of the year Aubree White from Bob Jones High School, and Renie Anderson, Chief Revenue Officer and EVP NFL Partnerships. Here's the part where we need your help. Community voting is a significant component of the panel selection process for the conference, contributing to 30% of the final programming decision. This will greatly enhance our chances of securing a spot at the SXSW conference! How to Vote: THE VOTING PROCESS CLOSES THIS SUNDAY 8/18! -To participate in voting, visit panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote and sign in or create an account.  -Once you are signed in, you can filter proposals by conference (SXSW would be the choice here), format title, description, tags and speakers in the search field. Our submission is titled: Level Up: How Esports Boost Life Skills and Mental Health -Each voter can vote once per proposal – selecting "arrow up" for yes or "arrow down" for no. Thank you in advance!

Your game days are the reason kids, parents and coaches participate in youth sports, and there are many moving parts to keep track of. 🏀🏈⚾ 🎖️ICYMI: Jason Schaitz, MBA, CPRE, CYSA shares here tips on how to manage game days in youth sports programming: https://hubs.la/Q02ngwj_0

Check out our newest post about how athletes can approach halftime of their games to get the most out of it: https://lnkd.in/eKjPUuRx

How can there be a so-called forced DE&I agenda in gaming when white males, regardless of how the geographic & ethnic data is interpreted, are a global and soon to be US minority yet remain the dominant protagonist type in games? The ongoing criticism of improved representation seems largely centered on two points: That entertainment narratives are somehow made worse, a critisism that is conveniently never applied to media with over representation of one minority demographic. & that increased representation somehow = emasculation, which would be laughable (see IRL power dynamics, wealth distribution, and generations of storytelling) if it wasn't a dog whistle for misogyny. So, what to do about it? Don't amplify these disingenuous complaints by resharing their posts. We know, rage nets engagement, but it also spreads their message. While tapping into and earning fan love is vital for success, it's important to note that the origin of the word fan is fanatic, and to highlight the difference between constructive criticism and thinly veiled intolerance. With that, I'm off to watch Turning Red with our daughters and have a good cry, being the masculine manly man that I am 😉 #DE&I #Representation #GameIndustry

Here's the final two tips to help us be healthy spectators for our gaming kids. While we can be tempted to mail it in when spectating, doing so means we miss the massive opportunity to create an environment where our player feels valued, supported, and understood. And what parent wants that? Today’s two tips: Model Good Sportsmanship. Whether they admit it or not, our children look to us as a model of how to handle both success and disappointment. Like that security camera at the bank, they are always watching. They are picking up what we’re laying down. They’re taking their cue from us. As you spectate their games, celebrate their victories humbly and handle losses gracefully. Do your best to avoid negative comments about them, their game play, and other players or teams. After a loss or difficult challenge, remind your child that winning isn’t everything—the experience and learning also count. When we take a look at Philippians 2:3-4, we have a model for us to follow, too. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” We see an emphasis on humility and putting others first, which is at the heart of good sportsmanship. It’s about celebrating with humility and handling setbacks with grace, setting a positive example for our players. Pro Tip: Make sure you have a good grasp on the game and how it’s played before commenting on what your player should/shouldn’t have done. Set Healthy Boundaries. We want to encourage balanced gaming habits, reminding our players to take breaks, stay hydrated, and balance gaming with other activities. These are important as well as establishing a routine that supports mental and physical well-being. Doing so will reinforce that we care about them beyond just their performance in the game. So, while spectating, you may be tempted to talk about setting healthy boundaries. But let’s be clear - it’s best to keep it quiet about this until the gaming is over. Spoiler alert: this is hard. Any type of conversation about boundaries while gaming will shut things down faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive. Like all things, timing is everything. Spectate the gaming session well and then talk about boundaries later. Pro Tip: Set aside a time when everyone is calm and go to a private, neural location to talk about boundaries. Think Dunkin, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Taco Bell. Being a healthy spectator for our gaming child is an opportunity to strengthen our relationship and build a bridge of understanding between us and our players. Just as we would in any other activity, our support and involvement make a world of difference. Make the connection: How might we build time into our routines to spectate our players in a way that strengthens our relationship with them? We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good.

We have six ideas to help us as parents become healthy spectators. We’ve shared the first two already will share 2 today, and 2 in the next post. We totally get that these next two tips might be a stretch. But what we know is that you love your kids and that you will do anything for them, including sitting in the cold and the rain, holding the umbrella in one hand and a Stanley of coffee in the other just to watch their soccer game. We can guarantee that these next two tips will be both warmer and dryer for sure. Today’s top two tips: 1. Watch a live stream or tournament. Many gamers broadcast their gameplay on platforms like Twitch or participate in online tournaments. Show your support by asking your player to watch a live stream together. This may be a whole new experience for you so do your best to enter with an open mind. You can even comment in the chat with your player or talk about what is happening during the match. If you can’t find something good to watch, ask your player to hop on Discord, play with their friends, and live stream the match for you to watch.  *Pro Tip: Watch and cheer, just like you would at a their soccer game, minus the cold, rain, and umbrella.(You can bring the Stanley of coffee.) ☕ 2. Ask questions and show genuine interest. Engaging with your player through open-ended questions like, “What was the/your strategy of that match?” or “What was the hardest part of that match?” shows them you care and want to understand their passion. You’ll need to gauge how much to ask and when to talk. Just like physical sports, nobody likes a chatty Cathy during an entire game. *Pro Tip: Avoid judgmental or dismissive language that makes them feel that gaming is not valid. As you embark on this journey with your player, remember Proverbs 18:15: “The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.” Yeah, there’s a little bit of humility that goes with that you’re doing here, but when you take these tips seriously, you will create an environment where you are respected and your child feels heard and valued. Make the connection: Reflect on your experience watching a live stream and showing genuine interest, noting what went well and what can be improved for next time. We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good.

The great escape 🏝 It's no wonder Gen Z is spending more time gaming and doing homework. With fewer third places to connect outside than ever, Gen-Z has found solace in escaping through their passions and interests, such as gaming (or watching streamers' games) and diving deep into their schoolwork. Bernstein Analysis wrote: Gen-Z are experiencing the highest levels of loneliness and lowest levels of self-satisfaction vs. prior generations. Outlook on life and consumer confidence are at all-time lows for young Americans. Although there is some truth to this statement, I find these takeaways nihilistic and bleak. Gen Z has continued to find imaginative ways to create and thrive despite the harsh realities of the world today. How do you feel about these findings?