Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteI’m not sure how I feel about putting a cutsie skin on tetris when the blocks are made to represent slaves (i.e. people) and the ‘board’ is a slave ship. I think I get the idea they are trying to … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteLast year I was invited to do an interview for a local TV station. I know this isn’t a big deal for many of my game colleagues, but I don’t get on TV very often so for me it’s kind … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesStudies on the use of reinforcement have shown that unpredictable reinforcement schedules lead to behavior changes that persist the longest. Since games are driven by cycles of player actions and corresponding feedback, is it possible to provide unpredictable reinforcement in … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesPut simply, the Proteus Effect happens when an avatar behaves in line with the stereotype suggested by the appearance of that avatar. In other words players behave in the ways the appearance of their avatar suggests they should. How realistic does an avatar … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesI don’t like fighting. As a result, there are a whole pile of video games that I don’t really like playing. I’ve always thought of shooters and fighting games as the low-hanging fruit of game design. It’s fairly easy to … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteNo. Too much choice often interferes with learning; just like creating a simulated environment that is too real becomes counter-productive, especially with novices. Giving the learner too many things to think about too soon makes it much harder for them … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesOne of the great things about games is their potential for delivering just-in-time instruction. Most games require some sort of user assistance, whether it be instructions, in-game tutorials, or a help system. Many games integrate help and tutorial information into the gameplay … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesFar too many educational games out there are nothing more than template games skinned with educational content. I wonder why people make these kinds of games. Is it because they are easy to design, or do they really not understand what … Continue reading