Experience Points
On today’s episode, we’ll answer the question “What makes the Ideal Board Game Player?” What makes the “ideal” board games player? Some say that it takes someone who fully understands the rules. Others would say that it’s more about those who pay attention to the game rather than be subjected to distractions. Some feel that it’s tactical play and strategic thinking that makes the ideal tabletop player.
Read MoreOn today’s episode, we’ll answer the question “What makes the Ideal Board Game Player?” What makes the “ideal” board games player? Some say that it takes someone who fully understands the rules. Others would say that it’s more about those who pay attention to the game rather than be subjected to distractions. Some feel that it’s tactical play and strategic thinking that makes the ideal tabletop player.
Read MoreOn today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Player Reflection?” Games-based learning is a form of experiential learning. Through games-based learning players experience something concrete such as game play. Instructors, educators, and moderators then lead learners through debriefings in order help them best make sense of that experience. That debriefing also includes some kind of player reflection of that experience. But what is that player reflection? What process do players use to reflect on their experiences? How will that kind of reflection influence and affect how they learn through games-based learning?
Read MoreOn 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 games and games-based learning is diverse and fascinating
Read MoreOn 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 world.
Read MoreOn 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 probably also played lousy games.
Read MoreInteractions 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.
Read MoreOn today’s episode we’ll cover “Game Mechanics.” One of the first things that designers attempt to do with a new game is outline its mechanics. Specifically, they’re trying to determine what players will be doing throughout the game and how they’ll accomplish it.
Read MoreOn today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Sandbagging?” Competition can be a great concept in a game. We all start out with the same setup or resources, and then, through the structure of the game; its mechanics; and dynamics we discover a victor who has rightfully defeated us all.
Read MoreOn today’s episode we’ll cover achievements in games. Achievements in life are a way to commodify what we’ve accomplished. Some can say that achievements are the way that we commemorate a major life moment or event. But achievements in games are different. While we might recognize most of them occurring in video games; there are other ways to award achievements to players in games.
Read MoreOn today’s episode we’ll cover the “flow state” we experience when playing games. Engaging in a state of “flow” is one of the most mesmerizing things that your players can do. They are engaged with your game. They are performing at the top of their ability. They are so engrossed that they begin to lose track of time.
Read MoreOn today’s episode we’ll cover game dynamics. Dynamics and loops are some of the most important elements of your game design. When thinking about your game dynamics it’s important to consider the following two questions: 1) What actions can players take? 2) How do those actions help them achieve the game objectives?
Read MoreOn today’s episode we’ll cover Player Interaction. Player interaction is an important characteristic to consider when designing games. The designer has to answer the questions “How is the player going to interact with the game? How will the player interact with other players? What kind of decisions can the player make?” All of these questions should be answered when designing for player interaction.
Read MoreOn today’s episode we’ll cover The Player Experience. The player experience is something that we all shoot for in game design. That’s because the player experience is what the player goes through when they play the game.
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