Experience Points

Designing learning games with players in mind  On today’s episode we’ll cover designing learning games with players in mind. Games are powerful tools for teaching; entertaining; and learning . Playing games is almost always an enjoyable activity. However, designing educational games with the audience – otherwise known as players - in mind can be incredibly challenging. This episode will address ho...

How to teach someone to play a game On today’s episode we’ll cover “How to teach someone to play a game.” Bringing someone into gaming is one of the most rewarding aspects of the community. Games provide many great benefits. They can be entertaining, rewarding, and used for teaching, training, learning and development. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing....

What is Kingmaking? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Kingmaking?” Sometimes you’ll play a competitive game where you realize that you can’t win anymore. It’s kind of depressing to think about. However, there are things that you can do and actions that you can take that will help someone else win. This scenario is called “kingmaking.” If you liked this episode please consider c...

How many players should a game include? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “How many players should a game include?” Playing games often means playing with other people. That means that we often take into account how many players a game accommodates before we begin. But what kind of impact does the player count have in games? How many players should a game include? If you liked this epis...

Distributed Practice in Games-Based Learning On today’s episode we’ll examine Distributed Practice in Games-Based Learning. You are probably familiar with “cramming” and studying as much as possible in the time leading up to a test. The opposite of this is “distributed practice.” Distributed practice is where students study in small increments leading up to a test or quiz. Distributed practice is...

What is Grokking? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Grokking?” You may have heard the word “Grok” before but may not have known what it meant. Grokking is used by different people and in different contexts. Usually, people use the term to convey thoroughly understanding and interaction with a game or system. But, the origins of the word; how it’s used; and its application to g...

What is Constructivism? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Constructivism?” Learning is the transformation of experience into knowledge. That means that learning is the construction of knowledge through the learner. We are learning when we are playing games. When we play games we are actively constructing the framework for how we play, understand, and interact within the game w...

What is Self-Determination Theory? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Self-Determination Theory?” Making sure that your players have autonomy in your game is important. They need to know that they have the agency and the ability to do something. It’s also important that they feel competent. Players need to know that they have a reasonable chance of success when taking actions i...

What is a Knowledge Check? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is a Knowledge Check?”Making sure that learners are learning what they need to learn is important. That’s especially important when teaching something critical, applicable, or related to something that is time sensitive. That’s when knowledge checks come into play. Knowledge checks are a way for us to determine whether...

Making games visually accessible On today’s episode we’ll cover how to make games more visually accessibleMost people think games are just for play and entertainment. But you can also use games for teaching and learning through games-based learning , gamification , serious games , and simulations . But one of the most important things to consider when using something for teaching and learning is a...

Game Mechanics for Learning     On today’s episode we’ll cover how to use game mechanics for learning. Game mechanics are the rules and procedures that guide players through the game. These mechanics also provide the structure for how the game reacts to players’ actions.  This definition is great for game designers and developers, but what about for educators, instructors, professors, and teachers...

What are Megagames? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What are Megagames?”Most people have played games at some point in their lives. They can be table top games, card games, board games, playground games, video games, console games, or computer games. Most people have likely played hard games, easy games, social games, or abstract games. Mostly we’ve played fun games. But we’ve proba...

What makes a good rule book? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What makes a good rule book?” Rulebooks are one of the first things that players turn to after they’ve decided to play your game.  Players turn to this as the guide; the rules; and the structure that will shape their experience. Often designers think about rulebooks at the very end of their design process. However, the abi...

What is Intrinsic Motivation? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is a Intrinsic Motivation?” We don’t need to be reminded to play games. We play games because we want to. We’re motivated to play because we’re attracted to them. We want to play games for the experience, the escape, and for the fun. So what is that drive that makes us play games? What is that motivation? The best ga...

What is a Simulation? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is a Simulation?” Simulations and games are mediums that players, designers, academics, and professionals often talk about. Some simulations are games like The Sims and Sim City . Whereas other simulations are more serious . Simulations find their way into our daily lives in several ways. But, we can also use them for teachi...

What is Player Agency? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Player Agency?” Player agency is about giving our players the time, space, and resources needed in order to make decisions in games. But is that is the only thing that agency provides to players?  Is agency even a good thing? If so, then what amount of agency is the right amount to give to players? How should players nav...

What is the Lusory Attitude? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is the Lusory Attitude?” We all play games for multiple reasons. No matter what the reason, we agree to a certain set of rules and expectations of play. Some of this involves us entering the “magic circle” of games.  We have to suspend our disbelief in order to become fully enveloped in the game world. If you liked th...

What is the “Magic Circle?” On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is the Magic Circle?” We may play games for various reasons. One of the reasons why we play games is to escape. We escape to a faraway place that is different and distinct from the place that we call reality. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free...

What is player behavior? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is player behavior?” Trying to understand what players do and why players do it will perhaps be one of the biggest mysteries of gaming. Sure, it can be easy to find out why players play games. But what does it mean for the players themselves? What parts of that player experience make it engaging and fun for them? If you l...

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What are Interactive Experiences?” Interactions and experiences are things that usually go hand in hand with games. Designers look for ways to make their games more interesting. Instructors look for ways to engage their students in order to facilitate the learning process. Often games are called interactive simulations the same way that simulations co...

What is Gamification? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Gamification?” Gamification is a buzz word that has made it around the world several times. It’s one of those ideas, concepts, or strategies that everyone from business leaders, academics, and the general public have either applauded or denounced. But what is gamification? What makes something “gamified?” How can gamifica...

What is a learning game? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is a Learning Game?” Using games as a medium for learning is called games based learning . Often times these games are created from the ground up to be used for teaching and learning. These are usually simulations or serious games . However, games can also be adapted for educa...

What is Games-Based Learning? On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Games-Based Learning?”Games are pretty ubiquitous. You can find them in most places. I tend to really love my table top game collection; but there are other gamers who are as easily attached to their mobile phones; tablets; PC’s or consoles. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscr...

Accessibility in Games On today’s episode we’ll cover “Accessibility in Games.”Accessibility is a concept that is often talked about in game design. Specifically when it comes to making games more accessible to a wider audience. But what does accessibility mean and what does it entail when designing games for entertainment, learning, or personal development? If you liked this episode please consid...

Playtesting for Success On today’s episode we’ll cover how to “Play Test for Success.”Play testing is one of those functions of game design that designers struggle with. It’s often as difficult a function as the design process itself. Particularly if you very close with your design and are sensitive to any changes. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Sub...