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The transformative power of video games | Herman Narula

Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more. A full third of the world’s population — 2.6 billion people — play video games, plugging into massive networks of interaction that have opened up opportunities well beyond entertainment. In a talk about the future of the medium, entrepreneur…

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Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more.

A full third of the world’s population — 2.6 billion people — play video games, plugging into massive networks of interaction that have opened up opportunities well beyond entertainment. In a talk about the future of the medium, entrepreneur Herman Narula makes the case for a new understanding of gaming — one that includes the power to create new worlds, connect people and shape the economy.

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The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You’re welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know. For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a Media Request here:

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29 Comments

29 Comments

  1. Lunareon

    November 1, 2019 at 8:06 am

    The gaming industry keeps pushing the limits of technology, and the progress and innovations created in the process will benefit more than just the gaming industry. Also, gamification in general has a huge potential to transform mundane and boring tasks into something more enjoyable and motivating. I believe we could accomplish so much more if working, studying and chores felt as exciting and rewarding as playing video games.

    • Cassette Tape

      November 1, 2019 at 1:45 pm

      Or, you could learn to find joy in doing work that is inherently difficult. Go watch Mary Poppins. 🙂

  2. Doc Holiday203

    November 1, 2019 at 8:56 am

    Nice, a TEDtalk worth listening too that isn’t about being woke.

    • Aviri Char

      November 4, 2019 at 10:28 am

      hate to burst your bubble, but this one too is about how you need to wtfu… sowwy snowflake

  3. Gaurav Singh

    November 1, 2019 at 9:49 am

    In short he’s trying to make the matrix

  4. maragani sasank sai

    November 1, 2019 at 9:58 am

    In the future there will be no movies or TV shows just games online co-ops and single player games

  5. Praveen

    November 1, 2019 at 11:29 am

    Time is precious. Dont waste it playing video games

    • WeirdestWolf

      November 1, 2019 at 11:43 am

      Is it a waste? Or is it a form of entertainment, socialising and learning that some people are adverse to?

    • Ferz2006

      November 2, 2019 at 8:17 am

      And dont waste your time watching youtube videos!

  6. Julien HEIM

    November 1, 2019 at 11:56 am

    Some peoples say that video games are dangerous for Young people and can lead them into crime.
    But this I information don’t have any prouf and the video games can allow us to go in a new dimensions our own dimensions is much more like a dream.

    And the video games don’t stop to be improve years by years maybe soon we’ll be able to live our owns videos games.

  7. Mr. Pancake

    November 1, 2019 at 12:29 pm

    Epic gamers will take over the world

  8. Lord Spongebob of House Squarepants

    November 1, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    You forgot that this is the internet we’re talking about. If you gather millions of people in one space, half of them are just gonna shitpost while wearing their anime avatar.

  9. Hen Mendelman

    November 1, 2019 at 12:44 pm

    7:16 whats that game i want it !!

  10. Jass Playz

    November 1, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    I learned most of my English from youtube

  11. Cassette Tape

    November 1, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    Yes, they transform you into the overweight, unmotivated and unaccomplished version of yourself.

  12. B Welkinator

    November 1, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    I’m sure he’ll get a lot of down votes; he failed to mention the TED logos: “global warming”.

  13. 문서해BOMONS

    November 1, 2019 at 4:00 pm

    He is a genius. That’s like really a likely story. How plausible!

  14. DerkvanL

    November 1, 2019 at 4:53 pm

    Gaming will be the bèta of The Matrix in real life.

  15. Emanuele Santanche

    November 1, 2019 at 7:08 pm

    Videogames are a great way to escape from reality. Reality can be nasty, scary and hurtful. It’s like drinking some fruit juice after having drunk a bitter medicine. But, if you drink many liters of fruit juice all at once, you may die.
    The right question to ask ourselves is: why we, as a society, are producing so many people who need so badly to escape?

  16. Mark Vrba

    November 1, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    What a moron

  17. Kim Atong

    November 2, 2019 at 2:09 am

    He just proved the idea of physicists about parallel worlds. A world where you are 2D, a scavenger, a monkey a tycoon.. a..a..

  18. Stuck in Paradise

    November 2, 2019 at 3:49 am

    have u seen ugandan knuckles on VRchat? this will happen in the next gen games…. i rest my case….jk … another thing to be hopeful about.. thank you

  19. alarsenal10

    November 2, 2019 at 5:22 am

    This video gave me violence… or so says the US

  20. Forum Arcade

    November 2, 2019 at 6:03 pm

    Many video games make effective use of addictive qualities to establish long-term behavioral patterns. If you use the same principles but geared towards productivity and personal improvement instead of leisure and consumerism, I think it would be profoundly beneficial to society.

  21. Baraz

    November 2, 2019 at 7:38 pm

    Also interesting that it helps break down the barriers between people (cultures/nations), diminishing prejudice, etc. For example, at the moment, many video war game players in the USA and Russia are virtual friends and having fun.

  22. George Ockham

    November 4, 2019 at 1:25 am

    I am not empathic and I don’t care what others think.

  23. the yijen

    November 4, 2019 at 4:54 am

    break the wheel!

  24. Shoeless b

    November 4, 2019 at 5:35 am

    How much coffee does this guy drink ??

  25. Karad 98

    November 4, 2019 at 9:17 am

    Depressed dudes who escape reality trough video games are a problem, I know it’s better to play than to use drugs, but I feel this is a problem bc of how some games never end, and trap easily teens and not in endless loops

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The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.

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