From poker to Playstations, people love games. In recent years, “gamification” has become big business as tech companies have tapped into gameplay as a way to make their products more compelling. Dating apps, ride-hailing services and social media, to name just a few, have all deployed the techniques of games to keep us hooked. 

Games have influenced how our brains have developed and they’ve also intruded into many unexpected aspects of our lives. In this episode, we learn how games have changed the course of history and how they’re already starting to shape our future. 

The Economist’s Tom Standage interviews Kelly Clancy, a neuroscientist, physicist and the author of “Playing With Reality”. Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor, hosts.

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.