Microsoft, universities work to prove that video games can be educational

When John Nordlinger, senior research manager for Microsoft Research’s gaming efforts, wanted a refresher on his French, he started playing "Everquest" — the multiplayer online role-playing game — in that language.

The strategy worked, Nordlinger said, but he added that researchers don’t completely understand why.

"When people play games, there is some sort of state they get into," he said. "Nobody has really studied whether or not the brain is more receptive to learning complex concepts when you’re in that state. People assume that is the case."

By JOSEPH TARTAKOFF
P-I REPORTER

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