Friendship machine: forming a new type of human connections from edX

Did you know that there are now 2.6 billion gamers in the world? By 2021, that number is expected to rise by 125 million. In terms of revenue, the video game industry has become bigger than the movie and music industries put together. Video games are sweeping the globe, quickly becoming a primary shaper of culture.

In an age of seemingly increasing social isolation and loneliness, communities are being formed and friendships forged in video games. But can you design for friendship? Do virtual connections have a meaningful impact on humans? What is the cost of loneliness?

In this course, the University of Iceland - in collaboration with leading game developer CCP Games - will guide you through the most interesting insights to emerge from the world of video games. Themes include friendship, loneliness, and the societal implications of a new type of human connection rapidly being formed in the 21st century.

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will have greater knowledge of the science behind friendship and meaningful connections, and how video games are developing as an entertainment format, the positive and negative impact of video games, how video games are developing, the risk of loneliness, and social isolation in society. All this combined with several intriguing stories about players in the CCP community.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the impact of video games on society, which is a subject of growing academic interest

Explores the potential of video games to foster friendship and address loneliness, which is a timely topic given the rise of social isolation

Taught by sociology and game design experts, who bring a unique blend of perspectives to the course

Offers insights from leading game developer CCP Games, providing real-world industry perspectives

Suitable for individuals interested in the social and psychological aspects of video games

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Friendship machine: forming a new type of human connections with these activities:

Find a mentor who can provide guidance on building social connections

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This activity will connect you with someone who has experience in building and maintaining social connections, who can provide guidance and support.

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Identify potential mentors
Reach out to potential mentors and ask for their guidance
Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss your progress

Review core principles of social psychology

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This activity will help you refresh your knowledge of the core principles of social psychology, which will be essential for understanding the concepts covered in this course.

Browse courses on Social Psychology

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Read through your old notes or textbooks
Take practice quizzes or answer review questions
Watch videos or documentaries on social psychology

Discuss the course material with classmates in a study group

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This activity will help you reinforce your understanding of the course material and gain different perspectives from your classmates.

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Form a study group with classmates
Meet regularly to discuss the course material
Work together on assignments and projects

Five other activities

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Analyze real-world examples of friendship dynamics

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This activity will help you develop your analytical skills and apply your knowledge of social psychology to real-world situations.

Browse courses on Friendship

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Identify examples of friendship dynamics in your own life, in movies, or in books
Break down the dynamics into their component parts
Analyze the factors that influence the dynamics

Volunteer with a local organization that promotes social connections

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This activity will give you hands-on experience in promoting social connections and help you develop your interpersonal skills.

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Research local organizations that promote social connections
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend volunteer training
Participate in volunteer activities

Explore the latest research on the impact of video games on social connections

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This activity will help you stay up-to-date on the latest research and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of video games on social connections.

Browse courses on Video Games

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Search for academic journals and articles on the topic
Read through the abstracts to find relevant studies
Summarize the key findings of the studies

Write a short essay on the role of video games in fostering friendships

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This activity will help you synthesize your knowledge of the course material and develop your critical thinking and writing skills.

Browse courses on Video Games

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Brainstorm ideas and develop a thesis statement
Research and gather evidence to support your thesis
Write a draft of your essay
Revise and edit your essay

Participate in a video game design competition

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This activity will allow you to apply your knowledge of video game design and development to a real-world project.

Browse courses on Video Game Design

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Find a video game design competition to enter
Develop a concept for your video game
Design and develop your video game
Submit your video game to the competition

Career center

Learners who complete Friendship machine: forming a new type of human connections will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Developer

Game Developers are responsible for the development of video games, including programming, art, and design. They work with a team of other developers to create and maintain video games. This course would be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Game Developer because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help developers create games that are more engaging and meaningful for players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Video Game Designer

Video Game Designers are responsible for the creation of video games, from concept to completion. They work with a team of artists, programmers, and other designers to bring their vision to life. This course would be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Video Game Designer because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help designers create games that are more engaging and meaningful for players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Designer

Game Designer

Game Designers are responsible for the design of video games, including the gameplay, levels, and characters. They work with a team of other designers and developers to create and maintain video games. This course would be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Game Designer because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help designers create games that are more engaging and meaningful for players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Community Manager

Community Managers are responsible for managing the online communities of video games and other online platforms. They work with players to build and maintain a positive and engaging community. This course would be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Community Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Community Managers create and maintain communities that are more engaging and meaningful for players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are individuals who start and operate their own businesses. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for employees and customers. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as an Entrepreneur because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Entrepreneurs create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for employees and customers. Additionally, this course may help future Entrepreneurs understand the impact of video games and social isolation on their employees and customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for businesses and organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging brand image for their clients. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Marketing Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Marketing Managers create and maintain marketing campaigns that are more engaging and meaningful for their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers are responsible for managing the operations of nonprofit organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for staff and volunteers. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Nonprofit Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Nonprofit Managers create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for staff and volunteers.

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Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for planning and executing programs for businesses and organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging experience for participants. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Program Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Program Managers create and maintain programs that are more engaging and meaningful for participants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Event Planner

Event Planners are responsible for planning and executing events for businesses and organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging experience for attendees. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as an Event Planner because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Event Planners create and maintain events that are more engaging and meaningful for attendees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers are responsible for managing the social media presence of businesses and organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging online presence for their clients. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Social Media Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Social Media Managers create and maintain social media campaigns that are more engaging and meaningful for their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

CEO

CEOs are responsible for the overall leadership and management of businesses and organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for employees. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as a CEO because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help CEOs create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for employees. Additionally, this course may help future CEOs understand the impact of video games and social isolation on their employees in the workplace.

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Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers are responsible for managing the public image of businesses and organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging relationship with the public. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Public Relations Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Public Relations Managers create and maintain public relations campaigns that are more engaging and meaningful for their clients.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning and executing projects for businesses and organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for team members. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Project Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Project Managers create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for team members.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for team members. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as a Sales Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Sales Managers create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for team members.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of businesses and organizations. They work to create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for employees. This course may be helpful for someone interested in a career as an Operations Manager because it provides a foundation in the science behind friendship, the impact of video games, and the risk of loneliness and social isolation in society. This knowledge can help Operations Managers create and maintain a positive and engaging environment for employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager