Experience Points — University XP

In this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave Eng discuss board games that utilize the Mancala mechanic, which involves moving pieces along a board with hollows or pockets. They start by reminiscing about Dave’s childhood memories of playing Mancala with his mom's old board. They then explore modern board games that have popularized this mechanic, such as Five Tribes and Trajan. They also discuss other games like Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done and Fruit Picking, which offer variations of the Mancala mechanic.

AP Table Talk, Game Mechanics, MancalaDave EngJuly 9, 2023board games, mancala, game mechanic, chair reaction, AP table talkComment

Episode 88 How do you Design Games for Flow State?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “How do you Design Games for Flow State?” Flow is a very sought after experience in game design. It’s really engaging and enthralling because players lose a sense of time and space when they are in the flow state. They become lost and completely enveloped in the game world.

flow, difficulty, challenge, goalsDave EngJune 25, 2023flow, design, goals, feedback, difficulty, knowledgeComment

Episode 87 AP Table Talk: Grid Coverage

In the first episode of AP Table Talk, a podcast that explores board games, Brian and Dave Eng discuss the Grid Coverage mechanic. They define the mechanic as players covering a grid or filling a space using various shapes such as polyominoes. Some of the games that they discuss which use this mechanic include Patchwork, Blokus, Copenhagen, Cultivate, Silver and Gold, and Tiny Towns. Brian and Dave also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the mechanic, such as the strong core loop and the potential for it to be luck-dependent. They mention twists on the mechanic, such as enforced fill order and the extension of Grid Coverage upwards.

game mechanics, grid coverage, AP table talkDave EngJune 11, 2023board games, game mechanics, grid coverage, AP table talkComment

Episode 86 What is Player Relevance?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Player Relevance?” Players play games for multiple different reasons. Many of those reasons have to do with their sense of intrinsic or extrinsic motivation. No matter the reason, all players play games because they find them relevant. For themselves, as well as for their player character, and through their journey throughout the game.

relevanceDave EngMay 28, 2023relevance, player agency, motivation, mechanics, learners, games-based learningComment

Episode 85 What is Player Scaffolding?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Player Scaffolding?” Many people can just jump right into games. They take one look at it and they already “get it” and know how to play. Whereas other people need a little bit of help. Sometimes this comes in the form of instruction; teaching; or learning from other players.

scaffoldingDave EngMay 14, 2023scaffolding, metacognition, player experience, games-based learning, practiceComment

Episode 84 Introducing AP Table Talk

In this podcast episode, Dave Eng and his cousin Brian discuss their new podcast called AP Table Talk. They explain that the show will explore different board game mechanics such as area control and deck building, and they will discuss the history and design variations of each mechanic. They also share their early memories of playing board games separately and together, including games like Monopoly, Hero Quest, Risk, and Life. They talk about how they got into gaming and how they used to play together with their family and friends.

board game mechanicsDave EngApril 30, 2023board games, mechanics, brian eng, dave engComment

Episode 83 What is Game Balance?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Game Balance?” Many gamers often don’t think about “balance” when playing a game. But they should. That’s because balance creates and shapes what should be a positive player experience. But what exactly is “game balance?” How is it created and designed in games; games-based learning; and gamification?

game balanceDave EngApril 16, 2023game balance, balance, game development, game design, player experienceComment

Episode 82 What is Player Reflection?

On 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.

reflectionDave EngApril 2, 2023reflect, reflection, players, games-based learning, introspection, metacognitionComment

Episode 81 Debriefing Games-Based Learning

On today’s episode we’ll answer how to Debrief Games-Based Learning. Using games for teaching and learning is the basis for games-based learning. But, educators and instructors don’t just play games with students or ask their students to play games. Instead, games serve as a critical and fundamental part of the curriculum for helping learners grow. That’s accomplished by making sure that a proper debriefing has occurred after game play.

debriefingDave EngMarch 19, 2023debriefing, experiential learning, games-based learning, instructor, learners, player experienceComment

Episode 80 What is Expectancy Theory?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Expectancy Theory?” Thinking about why we do something is often a central part of all of our activities. Those include why we work, play, or form relationships with one another. This is the central aspect of motivation: knowing what will happen or occur as a result of our own actions.

Episode 79 How do players create meaning in games?

On today’s episode we’ll cover how players create meaning in games. Creating and making meaning is something that everyone does at every point of their day. Creating meaning is one of the hallmarks of sentience. We think, therefore we are. But what exactly is meaning? How does meaning making occur? How does meaning making relate to games-based learning?

Episode 78 Applied Games-Based Learning

On today’s episode we’ll cover Applied Games-Based Learning. Games-based learning can be a powerful tool for educators. That’s because it allows them to use established games for teaching, learning, training, and education. But how exactly do you apply games-based learning? What specific learning outcomes can you target? What games are specifically available to meet the needs of your students?

Episode 77 Playing Serious Games

On today’s episode we’ll cover Playing Serious Games. Serious games are games created from the ground up for teaching and learning. These also include games created for a social purpose outside of the more tradition paths of games for entertainment.

Episode 76 Designing learning games with players in mind

educational game designDave EngJanuary 8, 2023diversity, learning styles, motivation, goals, competencies, experiential, feedback loop, challenges, theme, storytelling, educational game design, assessmentComment

Episode 75 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.

Episode 74 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.”

Episode 73 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?

player countDave EngNovember 27, 2022player count, games, single player games, solo games, duo games, party games, big games, mega games, MMO's, dummy playerComment

Episode 72 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.

Dave EngNovember 13, 2022spacing effect, distributed practice, practice, games-based learning, repeat playsComment

Episode 71 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 games and games-based learning is diverse and fascinating

grokkingDave EngNovember 6, 2022grokking, grok, learning, mastery, games, mechanics, students, playersComment

Episode 70 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 world.

constructivismDave EngOctober 23, 2022learning, players, game, instructors, games-based learning, learning theoryComment

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