University XP

This article will discuss two formative issues with game design: constraints and scope creep. While separate articles and books could address both topics, this article will discuss them as a singular issue as constraints in the design process can often mitigate the scope creep of game design projects.

The article examines core dynamics in game design, emphasizing their impact on player experiences. Using the Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics (MDA) framework, it defines mechanics as gameplay's foundation and dynamics as behaviors emerging from interactions. Core dynamics, such as racing, collection, and exploration, unify mechanics with aesthetics to engage players and achieve goals.

This article explores the classification of games into competitive, cooperative, and hybrid types, analyzing their structures, goals, and social impacts. It discusses challenges in categorization, the history and applications of each type, and how games can enhance teaching, learning, and social-emotional development through tailored design and player engagement.

This article will explore the aspects of games as mediums for interactions. It’ll examine games as constructs for occupying a particular space and how players interact with it. Games will also be explored as pieces of art and how they influence narrative aspects such as stories. Often, the interactive elements of games are shaped by their genre and themes. This will be discussed in addition to how games are often structured as a means for social interactions. This kind of structure can serve as a means of establishing socially normative activities between and amongst players.

This article will examine how that can be achieved though diligent focus and purposeful design. It’ll first cover the structure and use of learning objectives and outcomes for instructional design and learning experiences. These will then be compared to games-based learning and the use of games as the medium for learning.

This article will address how to develop, adapt, and apply existing and new games for these purposes. It’ll first cover the overall applications of games-based learning and then cover examples on how formal game elements and different criteria can be used to meet these learning outcomes. Specific types of games, formats, and modalities will be explored as well as how their specific characteristics benefit applied games-based learning. Furthermore, specific steps for how to prepare to use and design games for learning outcomes will be discussed.

This article will define educational games. It’ll explore why we should consider using educational games for teaching and learning as well as explore the evolution of educational games over time. Specific disciplines and how they are addressed by educational games will be discussed as well as different types of educational games. Engagement and efficacy of educational games will be covered as well as how they are interpreted by players through the player experience.

One of the hardest and most difficult questions that can be asked about games is what they are and how they are defined. The answers, responses, and philosophies regarding these big questions are as diverse and varied as those who have sought to define them. Therefore, this article will attempt another take on defining games and discussing their meaning and interaction for the people that play, define, apply, and share them.

This article will explore the player journey. It’ll start by defining this term and outline reasons for its importance. The player experience is an important aspect of the player journey. Therefore, it’ll be examined in depth as it relates to individual motivations and how they affect both goals and achievements during the player journey.

This article will examine progression systems in games closely. It’ll start by defining these systems and why they are so important. Different types of progression systems will be covered as well as how common features of progression systems are present in games. The core loop, as well as goals and objectives of games are tightly connected to progression systems. Therefore, these disparate areas will be connected and related to how different examples of progression systems use them in concert with one another.

This article will define what we mean by “game state” from multiple different perspectives. It will discuss different characteristics and types of game states and the roles that they play for commercial and applied games. Game states often are tightly related to the game rules and mechanics. These two aspects will be discussed in depth in addition to other “tangible” elements of games play such as game objects, movement, and environmental states.

This article will define player engagement and relate it to its roots in understanding player motivation. Player engagement has most to do with the amount of time that players engage with the game and how their investment best relates to the player experience. That player’s experience is informed by multiple sources. They include interaction and how players augment the game; how players receive and interpret feedback, and how challenges and difficulty are scaffolded and presented to players through games and games-based learning.

We don’t often think about when we first started playing games. Or really the “first” game that we ever played. Most players are preoccupied with the game that they are playing “now” or the game that they will play next. Yet, we don’t stop to think about what we already know about games and how we’ve applied that to learning and experiencing new games.

This article will first define choice architecture as well as discuss its relationship between how choices are structured and its impact on consumers (users, learners, and players). The underlying philosophies of choice architecture will be explained as well as how they inform choice structure.

This article discusses games as liminal spaces. But prior to diving into that, it will first define “liminality” as well as provide some of the most critical characteristics of liminal spaces. Liminality will be reviewed from multiple disciplines as well as situate the term in relation to transformation and transition. Liminality can be experienced in multiple different modalities and in different places and stages. Therefore, this article will examine liminal experiences in physical spaces as well as non-physical ones.

This article will define tactics and strategy and then compare the two in both structure and application.  Both tactics and strategy have a specific and special relationship with one another. This relationship often defines the philosophic considerations of what exactly goes into tactical and strategic decision making. This relationship will be explored through several different examples of tactics across different domains.

This article will explore and define the term “casual players.” In understanding casual players, we must first review and examine casual games. So, casual games will be defined along with relevant characteristics of casual games such as complexity, mechanics, and theme.

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.

This article will also cover how game goals work in concert with player agency and how designers can take advantage of player skill development while simultaneously mitigating luck and randomness. The player experience represents the defining factor for players engaging with games for learning; so, player feedback loops as well as how failure is addressed will also be considered.

This article will review these characteristics of analysis paralysis as well as how individuals make choices and the framework in which they come to those decisions. The results and solutions to those decisions will be discussed as well as how the overall speed of the process is fluid in the face of players’ motivations, frameworks, and goals.

This article will define the use and purpose of the term “strategy game” and how the term “strategy” affects and influences both game structure and the decision making framework for players. Strategy in games is addressed differently dependent on game type. Therefore, this article will address strategy in abstract games, war games, video games, simulations, idiogames, euro table top games, and team games.

This article will first define what Yomi is as well as how it influences and affects the prediction of actions of opponents and other players. The minds, motivations, and strategies of other players will be discussed as well as how it influences Yomi. Yomi in relation to strategy and how it affects expert players will be covered as well as how all players can examine and study their own actions for their own player development.

This article will address the steps necessary for adapting games for learning. It’ll cover why educators should first adapt games for games-based learning. Challenges that educators often face with adaptation will be addressed as well as how a strategy can be outlined for game adaptation.

This article outlines and describes the flow state in the player experience. It’ll also explain the most important and influential reasons for designing for flow. Flow state is comprised of a balance of goals and feedback and how both are reflected and influenced by perceptual control. So, this article will examine how these disparate elements work together to help players engage in that state.

This article covers the concept of player relevance in depth. Specifically, it defines the term “player relevance” for the context of this article. Player agency and its relationship to player relevance will be covered and discussed. The decision space and individual motivations are equally important for determining player relevance. Therefore, this article will discuss both in relationship to the player journey.

This article will review scaffolding in both an educational and games-based context. Uses of scaffolding will be discussed as well as how it affects and influences individuals’ learning and metacognition. Like many things games-based learning related; scaffolding relates highly to the learner and player experience. So time will be spent relating scaffolding to the experiences of the individuals learning and playing.

This article will define game balance for the purposes of this discussion. Game balance will be addressed as a factor in game design. Game balance strategies will also be covered from a development standpoint. Game balance also plays a critical role in defining and shaping the player experience. Therefore, game balance will be addressed as a factor that is both experienced and interpreted by players. Finally, game balance principles will be covered as it relates to the design process and its relationship to player agency and competency

This article will review why players reflect. It includes an in-depth analysis of players’ reflection in games-based learning as well as how introspection plays a role in game play. Reflection is compared to metacognition and the overall effect this has in its affect on the player experience.

This article will provide an overview on debriefing as well as the fundamental reasons why debriefing should be included in games-based learning. Games-based learning is part of the experiential learning cycle. So, a connection on this method of teaching and learning will be made as well as how instructors can outline goals for debriefing.

This article will define expectancy theory as well and describe its origins for understating human motivation and behavior. Motivation will also be covered as a facet of the educational process as well as expectancy theory’s origins in management as a way to better connect employee performance and rewards.

Teenager Vincent developed a diabetes education game on Roblox to help children understand and manage the condition, inspired by his younger brother Jerome's type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Struggling with the lifestyle changes that followed Jerome's diagnosis, Vincent used his school project to create a fun and engaging way for kids to learn about diabetes.

Imo Kaufman, a PhD student at the University of Nottingham, explores the complexities of the term "gamer" in her research on gaming culture. Through interviews, she identifies conflicting definitions of "gamer," ranging from inclusive descriptions (anyone who enjoys or plays video games) to more exclusive, negative ones (often associated with white men or toxic behavior).

James Micklethwait, VP at Kahoot!, argues that as technology transforms industries, gamified learning can enhance employee engagement and bridge workforce gaps.

Gamification, the use of game elements in non-game contexts, is increasingly popular in business to boost engagement and sales. Examples like Temu's spinning wheel and McDonald's Monopoly game illustrate its success in attracting customers.

Gen Con, one of the largest tabletop gaming conventions, attracted over 71,000 attendees this year, with a focus on increasing inclusivity. Organizers have created spaces for underrepresented groups, such as a BIPOC lounge and mentorship programs, to foster diversity and support marginalized voices.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the preservation and restoration of classic video games, addressing challenges such as low-resolution graphics, poor audio quality, and outdated hardware. AI enhances visual fidelity through upscaling techniques, restores audio by removing noise and recreating lost elements, and improves game emulation accuracy.

A study conducted with 1,653 Progressive insurance customers tested strategies to reduce distracted driving, particularly phone use. Participants averaged over 6 minutes of handheld phone use per hour before the study.

Peter McDonald, UW–Madison Assistant Professor, explores the evolution and cultural significance of 2D platformers in his book Run And Jump: The Meaning of the 2D Platformer. Focusing on the genre's history from Super Mario Bros. to modern indie games, McDonald examines how platformers foster a unique connection between generations of players.

In the paper "Player-Driven Emergence in LLM-Driven Game Narrative," the authors explore how large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 can enhance game narratives by empowering players to contribute creatively. Instead of replacing designers, LLMs enable dynamic interactions with nonplayer characters (NPCs), offering designers valuable feedback.

Pattern recognition and predictive thinking are key skills for smarter play in online casino games. Players analyze patterns in games like baccarat, roulette, blackjack, and poker to make informed decisions. Recognizing trends, such as repeating sequences in roulette or behavioral cues in poker, can provide a strategic advantage.

Mastering storytelling is essential in various media, and recent advancements in AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), have sparked interest in their ability to generate engaging narratives. This research introduces GENEVA, a tool that utilizes GPT-4 for creating and visualizing branching narratives in graph format.

Students in the Outland Youth Employment Program learned traditional Indigenous games, including double ball, a sport similar to lacrosse. Shane Dougall, an Indigenous representative at the University of Lethbridge, teaches these games to help kids disconnect from technology and develop skills like hand-eye coordination.

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.

Fridays in my RTI class were dedicated to board games, enhancing students’ numeracy skills through engaging play. Research confirms the benefits of game-based learning, highlighting improved executive functions, reading, and math skills among students who participated.

The first chapter of "Game Science in Hybrid Learning Spaces," titled “Breaking the Barriers of Space and Time,” examines the transformative potential of hybrid education in the post-COVID-19 landscape.

Researchers from Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin have created an innovative educational game called Cipher to help primary school students learn the under-resourced Irish language.

Astroscale Ltd has launched the “SPACE PROTECTOR by Astroscale” simulator game to raise awareness about space debris. Players assume the role of a satellite operations engineer, using advanced robotics to capture inactive satellites in a realistic space environment.

Paris White, a father from Upper Marlboro, Md., sought to create board games and children's books that reflect his family's culture and experiences growing up in Southeast D.C. Inspired by his joyful childhood memories, he initially started writing after his wife encouraged him to share his stories.

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.

A specialized training course on designing tabletop games focused on ethical and cultural values is taking place in Tehran, organized by the Quranic Organization of Academicians and ACECR. Participants will receive a valid certificate and the opportunity for their projects to be commercialized.

A study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that gamifying the reduction of handheld phone use while driving led to a 28% decrease in phone usage, with effects lasting up to 65 days post-intervention.

Kundavai Arivudainambi secured pre-seed funding from notable investors to launch Eduzo, an innovative platform combining AI and Mixed Reality games to enhance education.

Jonah Monaghan and Anthony DeVergillo, who met through a Facebook group, co-created Overjoyed, an innovative software that allows gamers with physical disabilities to use a computer mouse as a virtual joystick.

Damian Scott, a teacher and freelance game designer at Swinburne, is revolutionizing game design education with his fantasy world, Gond, which is in the public domain.

Learning a foreign language has evolved beyond traditional classrooms, thanks to gamified and AI-enhanced apps. Duolingo, with over 16 million users, exemplifies how technology makes vocabulary and grammar practice enjoyable.

Ben Weiner, the main guide at Kurn Hattin Homes' SmartLab, emphasizes the importance of fun in learning through games. At the SmartLab Annual Conference in Denver, he highlighted how modern games—like competitive robotics and Minecraft—reflect timeless social dynamics.

Mark Jacobs, a graduate of Clark University, has embraced "gamification" in education while leading the Longview School in New York. He integrated games like Minecraft and Civilization into his curriculum to enhance problem-solving and historical discussions.

AI's growing presence in academia sparks debates about academic integrity and potential cheating. In response, universities are updating policies to address ethical responsibilities tied to AI. Students in the UK now sign declarations regarding their AI tool usage in research.

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.

The healthcare industry's fascination with gamification is evolving into genuine game design, leveraging insights from the video game industry to enhance engagement and behavior change.