educational games — Experience Points Podcast

Episode 140 Randy O'Connor on Designing Through Constraints

In this episode of Experience Points, Dave Eng welcomes game designer, artist, and educator Randy O’Connor to explore the crucial role of constraints in game design and learning. From limited resources to time pressure, constraints shape player experiences and enhance engagement. Randy shares insights on how friction creates meaningful challenges, how platform limitations influence design choices, and why designing for “not doing” can be just as impactful as action. Through examples like This War of Mine, Frostpunk, and Hades, they discuss how well-crafted restrictions foster creativity, strategy, and deeper learning.

Episode 134 What are Educational Games?

In this episode, we’re unpacking the concept of educational games. What are they? How do they differ from other types of games? And how can they be leveraged effectively in games-based learning?

educational gamesDave EngMarch 23, 2025educational games, learning, games-based, serious, modalities, disciplinesComment

Episode 106 Silviana Falcon on Lectures at Play

In this podcast episode, host Dave Eng discusses educational games and their integration into traditional lectures with guest Silviana Falcon. Silviana shares her experience of using educational games as fundamental components of her lectures over eight years. She emphasizes the value of creating a welcoming learning environment through interactive games that foster camaraderie and teamwork among students. One of the games she uses, "StarPower" by Garry Shirts from 1969, simulates a three-tier society based on wealth, enabling students to experience power dynamics and economic decisions. Silviana's approach involves gradually introducing games to engage students and enhance their understanding. The episode underscores the benefits of well-chosen educational games for deeper learning.

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.