design process
Game Dynamics
There are different actions that players can take in your game. Alone they are meaningful for the player; but together they form the game’s dynamic. […]
Articles by Dave Eng
design process
Game Mechanics for Learning
How do educators use game mechanics for teaching and learning? How can students benefit from game mechanics through games-based learning? […]
Ideas
Achievements in Games
Achievements are something of a visceral experience. While we recognize achievements in game play; we can also use them for games-based learning applications. […]
design process
Designing Learning Games with Players in Mind
Playing games is almost always an enjoyable activity. However, designing educational games with the audience (players) in mind can be incredibly challenging. […]
how to
The Player Experience of Games
Player experience can be as simple as mechanics in gamification; or a complex serious game. That experience dictates how our game, is received by our users. […]
Ideas
Fired Up Fiero
Fiero is highly addictive and highly engaging. Often that feeling comes after we’re completely engrossed in the game. That’s called being a state of “flow.” […]
design process
Gamer Grind
What does Gamer Grind mean? How do players experience it? How can designers and educators of games-based learning address the grind in designs? […]
Focus2107
Focus on… Feedback Loops in Games Based Learning
Feedback is an important part of the learning process. Feedback is also really important for games to be engaging and fun. […]
design process
Applying Feedback in Learning Games
Applying feedback is incredibly important for shaping the player experience, connecting learning outcomes, and making sure that the experience stays “fun.” […]
Ideas
What is Player Agency in Games?
Player agency is about giving our players the time, space, and resources to make decisions in games. But is that is the only thing that agency gives to players? […]
Ideas
What’s your System?
Pretty much everything, everyone, and everybody that we work with is part of system: large or small. But how do those systems work and how do they affect you? […]
Ideas
What is the Lusory Attitude?
We all play games for multiple reasons. No matter what the reason, we agree to a certain set of rules and expectations of play. Some of this involves us entering the “magic circle” of games. […]
Ideas
Representation in Games
Games are mediums made for players. They are here for us to play and engage with them. Though, there have been some challenges in designing games that are representative. Not just representative of their designers; […]
Ideas
Play is Work
Games are a type of work if you think about it. We invest our time in games. We give games our attention and our mental capacities. But why do we do that? What makes play […]