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The triforce is a golden relic and the ultimate source of power in the Zelda universe.
The triforce of gamer knowledge is the ultimate source of learning in education. The three
triangles represent 'in game knowledge', 'beyond game knowledge', and 'game based skills'.
The triforce of gamer knowledge is a way of understanding learning through games.
Games are virtual environments in which players learn about game history, physics, rules,
game mechanics and common gaming conventions.
When gamers are immersed in these environments, they develop a stockpile of knowledge and
understanding about subjects including geography, history, economics, engineering, art, language,
sociology, and military strategy.
World of warcraft has the second largest wiki on the internet. It has over 90,000 pages
about the fictional world of Azeroth. Gamers know Azeroth's detailed geography and rich
history. Gamers also participate in Azeroth's daily life, customs and rituals -- all of
which provide intricate knowledge about the world of warcraft.
In Diablo, gamers learn economics through buying and selling. They experience supply
and demand when they sell rare weapons or buy basic food items. Gamers learn about inflation
and practice bidding in the Auction house. They become experts in negotiation and bartering
when trading with other players.
Learning doesn't end when the game ends. Gamers participate in communities and forums outside
the game and share game based knowledge that they've acquired.
Civilization is a complex game based around building and managing an empire. Players in
online communities share original content related to the game. They create video tutorials
detailing game play, strategy and management skills. Through making tutorials gamers learn
narration, timing, video editing, and how to explain elements of the game simply and
directly.
Team Fortress players make animation, web comics, wallpapers and fan art. By making
web comics gamers practice drawing and storytelling. Animation requires expert understanding of
3D modelling and rendering software. Other types of fan art involve skilled use of image
editing software and drawing tablets.
Skyrim is a popular adventure game with a huge modding community. Skyrim players make
mods to change the look and feel of the game. They learn programming languages for making
mod packs and plugins. They practice drawing to make textures and character skins. Skyrim
players learn how to manipulate the game's code to change the gameplay experience.
Game Based Skills are developed through in-game practice.
An expert Call Of Duty player is the modern equivalent of a western quick draw gunslinger.
Twitch skills test a player's reaction time in speed-based situations and gamers who play
first person shooters develop faster twitch skills giving them a valuable split-second
edge over other players.
In Portal, gamers learn problem-solving skills that help them complete level puzzles. They
learn to look for patterns and clues that assist in solving each level. Portal 2 requires
teamwork to complete the game, so players practice cooperation and communication skills.
Game Based Skills are also developed beyond the game.
Zelda is a popular classic game amongst Cosplayers and craft makers. Cosplayers make Link and
Princess Zelda costumes. Craft makers create Triforce necklaces, giant swords and other
artefacts. They practice tailoring, makeup, hair design, woodwork and leatherwork. More
importantly, they're highly skilled at taking virtual items and transferring them into real
world items.
State of the art games like Crysis 3 require high-end computers. Serious gamers build custom
computers that are powerful and highly configurable. They practice building and repairing gaming
computers. Gamers install RAM, CPU chips, fans and graphics cards. Gamers overclock
CPUs, manage airflow to keep the computer running cool and troubleshoot problems.
Gamers learn enormous amounts of knowledge and acquire useful skills through their engagement
with computer games. The Triforce of Gamer Knowledge shows how gamers learn in and around
the games they love to play. The more gamers are exposed to games and practice creating
original content, the more they learn.