GoVentureWorld is a massively multiplayer online role-laying game (MMORPG) in which players run a business in competition and collaboration with other players. Players establish a business as a manufacturer or retailer and run all facets of the business through the game including startup, marketing, legal issues, finances, interactions, personnel, or anything a business leader would experience in an authentic situation. The game is accessible on most devices so players can check on their businesses and monitor progress anytime. The ability to monitor progress and receive feedback are critical to the motivation to continue in the game (Willis, 2014) In fact, the game continues (i.e. the business keeps running) even when the player is logged out. A leaderboard tallies the successes of the players providing encouragement to continue. According to Tom Chatfield (TED, 2010), gamers will persist in play when they encounter reward at the right point of uncertainty. GoVentureWorld seems to hit the right spot of uncertainty in players as millions continue to enjoy the game for learning and entertainment. The designers of GoVentureWorld believe the game is so beneficial to players that they should include it in their resumes when job seeking as a testament to their business acumen.
GoVentureWorld would be a dynamic addition to any business curriculum. Students could start a business in the game and continue to improve their business skills as they progress through coursework in the class. The business could even be created and ultimately used as a portfolio item at the end of a business program to demonstrate how well the student understood and applied the concepts taught during the program.
References
TED (Producer). (2010). Tom Chatfield: 7 ways games reward the brain [Video file]. Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_chatfield_7_ways_games_reward_the_brain
Willis, J. (2011, April 14) A neurologist makes a case for the video game model as a learning tool [Blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/neurologist-makes-case-video-game-model-learning-tool
Morr Ed Tech Ideas 
GoVentureWorld seems to be a great game that could be used for courses other than Business. I think that adult learners should be rounded in many different areas, and this game provides and avenue for additional learning. Students could play the game and discuss what they learn in group or pairs (think-pair-share), so Communications or English educators could use the game in their classes. Additionally, since playing the game and succeeding can be included on learners’ resumes, then this is a plus for them when seeking a job!
This gaming style (Role-Play) works well when the objective of the learning is to reinforce current practice, encourage imitation, and emphasize content that is increasingly challenging (Arshavskiy, 2015).
References
Arshavskiy, M. (2015). Simulations and games: making learning fun! Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/simulations-and-games-making-learning-fun
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