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Researchers around the world have spent decades measuring the effects games have on our society: how they encourage or discourage violence, inspire creativity, or nurture laziness. However, people rarely ask why we play games in the first place. What drives us to collect coins, snipe aliens, or scale the walls of ancient tombs until three in the morning?

This video feature was adapted from a larger feature on Why We Play, read it here for a deeper dive into how games help shape our future in several positive ways.