News in Games-Based Learning

Developing a Tabletop Game

Conceiving an Idea So, what kind of game should you make? Well, there are a few ways for you to approach this part of the development process and it starts by asking yourself "What is the purpose of my game?" a. Do you want to give players an experience? b. Are you filling a hole in the market? c. Are you modifying an existing game? d. Are you showcasing a new or interesting mechanic? a. Do you want to give players an experience? This approach is about using theme as the core idea for your game.

game designDave EngJanuary 31, 2021game design, board gamesComment

The argument for simpler games

The games industry is obsessed with complexity Of course, it is never phrased like that. Developers are not talking about complexity. Game developers usually take for granted that more lifelike visuals, more content, bigger worlds and more features will sell more of their game, regardless if they have any input on how complex their game will be.

game designDave EngJanuary 23, 2021simple, designComment

How To Get Into The Game Development Business

Every avid gamer out there has dreamed of working within the gaming industry in some way. It’d be perfect, right? You can create and play games for a living, and that’s the one thing you love doing the most. Are you looking to break into the game development business? It may seem like a million miles away but with some strategic thinking and a plan, you could soon be heading in the right direction. Here are some tips on how to get into the game development business.

Including only what is needed - Lessons from Castle Dice

game designDave EngNovember 23, 2020game design, castle diceComment

Why Games Design matters to me

This appreciation for games was started by, no surprises here, a lifetime of playing a wide range of games from an early age and having the opportunity to begin learning about games design and development at college, I haven't looked back since.

game designDave EngNovember 22, 2020game designComment

Yellow Springs family helps create board games

While families around the country continue to look for ways to have fun in relative isolation due to the pandemic, one Yellow Springs family is feeling the pride of having contributed to the growing pool of home-based activities: earlier this year, villagers Corrie Van Ausdal and Matthew Collins helped create two brand new tabletop games.

game design, board gamesDave EngNovember 12, 2020game design, board gamesComment

The Board Game Design Virtual Summit

The Board Game Design Virtual Summit September 14-20, 2020

virtual summit, game design, board gamesDave EngAugust 31, 2020board game, virtual summit, game designComment

Musings on Developing Games Featuring Teamwork

For as long as games have been played, having to work with others as part of a team in order to win. Should be kept in mind whilst designing and developing games with teamwork in mind. Purposes of figuring out how to best design games that feature teamwork.

game design, teamworkDave EngJuly 24, 2020game design, teamworkComment

Five Ways to Design Collaborative Games

Not just co-operative boardgames and 'co-op modes' on computer games: party or 'parlour' games, word games, 'car' games and children's games too.

cooperative, game designDave EngJuly 20, 2020collaborative, games, design, cooperativeComment

Xprize Connect launches game-making challenge for kids and teens

"We're really excited to be working with Endless Network and XPrize on Code Games and can't wait to see the innovative games that come in from around the world as kids are inspired to shape the technology in the world versus being shaped by it," said Alan Gershenfeld, president of E-Line Media, in an email to GamesBeat.

game designDave EngJune 15, 2020game design, kids, teensComment

This course's video game tutorials offer a powered-up resource for fledgling developers

The School of Game Design is a great place to take your first steps. With courses for developers of all ages and skill levels taught by experienced instructors, this interactive online course contains 120 hours of video to help take you from aspiring game dev to creating multiple short levels and games of your own.

video games, tutorials, game designDave EngJune 7, 2020video games, tutorials, game designComment

Remote learning: Game design for outside and inside spaces

This activity of developing and designing an outdoor game demonstrates a student showing agency for their own learning, and being active and engaged socially with others, especially their family.

game designDave EngJune 5, 2020game design, spaceComment

How To Make A Game: Playtesting Advice From Game Designers

Playtesting, the process of playing an unfinished game to get feedback on its design, is an important phase of designing a game.

game design, playtestingDave EngMay 7, 2020playtesting, game designComment

In a self-isolated world, developers are learning to make games from home

Then there's a question of infrastructure: how do you move a team of hundreds to their homes and achieve workable results? Developers at many companies were instructed to take computers home and do their best to settle in.

game design, covid-19, coronavirusDave EngApril 27, 2020game design, designers, working from home, covid-19, coronavirusComment

Reflections on Teaching Wargame Design

Simplifying a nuclear deterrence wargame example from Tom Allen's War Games, both the blue and red teams physically and emotionally experienced the crushing stress of nuclear strike planning.

game design, higher educationDave EngJanuary 8, 2020wargames, game design, faculty, teachingComment