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Functional play in the abstract: an interview with game studies author Peter McDonald

Peter McDonald, an assistant professor at UW–Madison, explores the philosophies of 2D platformers in his book Run And Jump: The Meaning Of The 2D Platformer. He highlights how indie developers, free from corporate constraints, have revived the intimate spirit of these games, which originated in the 1980s with titles like Super Mario Bros.

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America’s First Board Game Was an Idealized ‘Travellers’ Tour’ Through a Young Nation

In 2023, the board game industry reached $16.8 billion, projected to hit $40.1 billion by 2032, with classics being revitalized and new games gaining popularity. A visit to the American Antiquarian Society revealed “The Travellers’ Tour Through the United States,” the first board game printed in the U.S. in 1822, which utilized a map of the country.

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Unlocking the Future of Education: The Role of Games in Contemporary Learning

A study by Dr. Ani Atanasova at "St. St. Cyril and Methodius Primary School" in Smolyan, Bulgaria, investigates the effects of game-based learning on student engagement and academic performance. Utilizing Pixelhunters' Multiplayer Team Training Platform, the research focused on 4th and 6th graders in math and Bulgarian language.

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