Brotherly Guidance

Growing up my brother and I shared a Gameboy Advance. There were many ways we connected, but the moments when he showed me through games like Pokemon and taught me how to progress was magical. Not only magical, but this was a way into this world of gaming at a time when you couldn’t just look things up on the internet easily.

Relationships

Taught To Play

TRANSFORMATION

Mashfiq's brother took the time to introduce him to video games and strengthened their relationship.

Becoming a Gamer

Resident Evil was a difficult game with mechanics that were hard to master. I remember trying to shoot my first zombie as a completely foreign experience, holding that Gamecube controller with so many buttons. Slowly, steadily I got better. And along the way, I discovered my resilience to keep trying - something invaluable in much of my future learning.

Skill

Learning The Controls

TRANSFORMATION

Mashfiq learned how to play a more complex game, gaining skills that opened the door to other experiences.

Shared Joy Of Discovery

My older brother bought the Batman games. As soon as I saw them I wanted to play as well, but had to transition to playing these bigger open-world games (and get used to a mouse and keyboard rather than a game controller).

Because this was new to both of us, this time it wasn’t him learning it and then teaching me, but us learning together. Even playing on a laptop I loved discovering a whole world to explore and combat that was as much about rhythm as it was just violence. What started as an impossible way to play turned into something I loved and then pursued the sequels.

Experience

A Whole New World

TRANSFORMATION

Mashfiq could now enter into the experience of a vast open game to explore.

Becoming a Game Connoisseur

Indie games like Bastion were now on my radar. I loved how they told stories in new ways, like a new form of art. As much as this I loved being part of that Indie gaming world. It was a subculture where again I found that connection I was looking for and I wanted to tell everyone about it. I would introduce my friends to these games when they’d listen, and make new connections over the games when we would play together.

Knowledge

The Breath Of Games

TRANSFORMATION

Mashfiq spent time playing a wide range of games to understand the gaming world and build up the knowledge to introduce others to it.

Building an Educational Community

Having travelled with video games in his private life, Mashfiq decided to try using them in his teaching and school work. This began with him starting a virtual Minecraft club during the pandemic. A space for students to connect and destress. It became more than a simple club as friendships were formed, a virtual Thanksgiving was hosted and a Luna New Year party.

By the end, a whole town and community had been created in the Minecraft world. After lockdowns it became an in-person space where children did Minecraft crafts to raise money. There was even a trip to Coney Island Creek, where the children investigated life in the water which then informed the Minecraft building competition including hydroponics plant growing.

Society

Instigating Community Change

TRANSFORMATION

Mashfiq's Minecraft clubs and community created a safe space where people could relate to each other, communicate and ease their fears.

Activities: Mashfiq found that the following related activities worked alongside playing Minecraft:

Minecraft Club

CLUBS AND CLASSES

Mashfiq organised a community driven educational Minecraft club.

Minecraft Pumpkin Carving

CREATIVE ARTS

Mashfiq ran a pumpkin building competition in Minecraft.

Building A Generous Community

Mashfiq wanted to create a community that was not only educational but also and supportive. He had found that the game Kind Words had been a support during times when he struggled with depression. He would play to relax in the evening after work.

It was a natural next step to include this game in his work with students. They could open some letters from other players and respond in kind. Although care was needed in this open communication, Mashfiq says he was regularly surprised at how positive the interactions were. "A testament to human nature wanting ultimately to find connection."

Disposition

Humbled By Kindness

TRANSFORMATION

Mashfiq's expectation and disposition towards online games were softened through the positive interactions of this open community sharing letters.

Building An Inclusive Community

Mashfiq wanted the gaming communities he was building to be representative of his students. Although Apex Legends is a fast-action combat game, its popularity with his class led to discussions of the identity of the characters you play in the game.

The game offers a diverse set of characters to play, so players have a sense of representation in the game. Also, because it's cross-platform there wasn't the usual barrier of what technology you play on. The result, in both talking about and playing the game, was another step towards a community that included all-comers.

Society

Representation In Games

TRANSFORMATION

More than just the enjoyable gameplay, Mashfiq appreciated the representation and inclusion of Apex Legends, which made it ripe territory to accommodate connection to a wide group of students.

Building A Media Aware Community

Mashfiq wanted to find a way to teach his class how scientific debate can become derailed by media bias and the way social media works. He used We Become What We Behold to illustrate this powerfully.

It's an unusual game and one that doesn’t hold back on its ideas about the media and representation. Having checked with parents and guardians first, it’s a game I use in my class on Chromebooks. There’s a shocking moment when events turn bad, which needs some care for sensitive students, but the conversations and discussions afterwards are deeply rewarding and worth the challenges.

Society

Social Media Reimagined

TRANSFORMATION

Mashfiq works with his classes and this game to underline how debate and science break down in social echo chambers.

Building A Wellbeing Community

Adventures With Anxiety is another unusual game because of the topic of anxiety and the simple choose-your-own-adventure presentation. This was a really useful game to enable students to be able to connect with themselves where they were. It was a space to talk about and consider mental health.

Identity

Mental Health Is For Everyone

TRANSFORMATION

Mashfiq used games with his students to highlight issues around anxiety and how to support each other and care for oneself