Boris Nakashyan, a second-year student at the University of Virginia and aspiring entrepreneur and doctor, combines his passions for entrepreneurship and medicine through his unique academic escape rooms. Modeled after traditional escape rooms but designed for educational purposes, Nakashyan's creations engage students in solving puzzles related to course content.
Read More"Beat the Heat," the latest interactive game from ASU's Ask A Biologist program, aims to educate K–12 students on essential heat safety practices just in time for summer. Developed by experts in heat safety, the bilingual game immerses players in scenarios where they must make decisions crucial for staying safe in hot climates.
Read MoreMillions of gamers worldwide are transforming entertainment into scientific advancement through 'Borderlands Science,' a mini-game embedded within 'Borderlands 3.' Players align genetic sequences in the game, generating massive amounts of data that outpace traditional methods by orders of magnitude.
Read MoreThis summary captures the essence of Bryan Alexander's exploration into a gaming seminar exercise, highlighting its objectives, implementation, and reflections for future improvements. In a recent gaming seminar, I introduced a new exercise that aimed to synthesize the semester's learning and foster creative design.
Read MoreIn response to the "Great Resignation" post-Covid-19, organizations turned to workplace gamification to inject purpose, engagement, and excitement into work environments. This trend has surged in recent years, particularly in tech sectors in the US, as a means to motivate employees through game-like elements such as points, badges, and challenges.
Read MoreAlaska Escape Rooms in downtown Anchorage offers immersive experiences like Raven’s Eye and Conjured Kingdoms, where participants engage in puzzles and decisions, from imprisoning villains to rescuing damsels. Founded in 2017, it has become a popular venue for diverse events, including date nights and team-building exercises for businesses.
Read MoreScott Nicholson from Wilfrid Laurier University is collaborating with the mEducation Alliance to create a resource for libraries in low-resource settings, focusing on board and card games. The initiative aims to compile games that are easy to explain, engaging, and robust enough for long-term use. Key criteria for selection include robustness, explainability, table presence, engagement, and overhead. Community members are invited to suggest suitable games via a Google Document. This project seeks to empower youth to teach games in libraries, fostering community connections and learning. For more information, contact Scott Nicholson at scott@scottnicholson.com
Read MoreThe evolution of casino games has transformed from traditional venues like Casino di Venezia, where high-stakes games drew affluent players, to a digital landscape accessible to all. The mid-1990s saw the rise of online casinos, allowing users to gamble from home, albeit with less social interaction. Live dealer games then emerged to recreate the authentic casino experience, fostering community through real-time interactions. Mobile casinos further revolutionized the industry, enabling gambling on-the-go with optimized games and enticing bonuses. As technology advances, including virtual reality, the casino gaming experience continues to evolve, reaching broader audiences and adapting to modern lifestyles.
Read MoreFantasy sports have transformed into sophisticated platforms that enhance critical thinking and strategic planning skills. Participants analyze player statistics, historical performance, and matchup projections to make informed decisions. Roster management requires balancing player potential and injury risks, while trading involves assessing team needs and negotiating effectively. Developing a long-term strategy emphasizes adaptability and foresight. Additionally, real-time updates from sports news influence decision-making. Understanding opponents' strategies is vital, as is managing the psychological aspects of losses and expectations. Overall, fantasy sports cultivate valuable skills like analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making, which extend into real-life scenarios.
Read MoreNew research suggests that integrating games into teaching can significantly enhance learning outcomes in subjects like economics and statistics. Led by Assistant Professor Joshua Fullard from Warwick Business School, the study compared traditional lecturing with game-based learning among university students. Those who used games showed a remarkable 7% increase in exam scores, with significantly fewer failing—only 7% compared to nearly a fifth in the traditional group.
Read MoreRecent developments in the video game industry challenge the notion of gaming as merely a recreational pastime, highlighting its potential to tackle real-world issues through "gamification." This approach integrates game mechanics into non-game contexts to engage users in solving problems like energy conservation and climate change, exemplified by the UN's Mission 1.5.
Read MoreThe Games-Based Learning Virtual Conference (GBLVC) 2025 invites session proposals for its annual three-day virtual event from June 6-8, 2025. Hosted by the Games-Based Learning Alliance and University XP, GBLVC fosters discussions among educators, designers, and professionals on using games for teaching and training. Sessions can be pre-recorded or live, with diverse topics including gamification, professional development, and culturally relevant games. Proposals are due by December 8, 2024, with notifications sent by January 13, 2025. Presenters receive complimentary conference access. GBLVC promotes diversity and encourages participation from varied backgrounds.
Read MoreArizona State University (ASU) and Endless Network have unveiled plans for the Endless Games and Learning Lab, announced during a discussion at the ASU+GSV Summit. President Michael Crow and Endless founder Matt Dalio highlighted the lab's significance in merging advanced technology with immersive game environments to revolutionize education globally.
Read MoreResearchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison investigated whether video games could positively impact emotional development in children aged 8-18, a critical period coinciding with significant brain development and exposure to challenges like bullying and anxiety.
Read MoreStephanie Scheller, diagnosed with ADHD at 26, finds solace and focus through music, citing its impact on brainwaves and dopamine release. Her journey led her to found Grow Disrupt, organizing ADHD-friendly events focused on skill development and neurodiverse communication.
Read MoreIn Talib Visram's article, a new educational game within Minecraft, Heat Wave Survival, transforms the abstract threat of extreme heat into a tangible challenge—a fire-breathing dragon. Developed by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, the game aims to educate children about the dangers of heat and teach mitigation strategies such as hydration and urban planning.
Read MoreThe article "Why Peace Games? Insights from East Asia" argues for the importance of peace games amidst a backdrop of heightened war simulations, particularly concerning China. While war games focus on military scenarios, peace games simulate diplomatic engagements to explore and enhance statecraft aimed at preventing conflicts and promoting peace.
Read MoreGaming, whether digital or traditional, carries significant real-world implications, as highlighted by Arizona State University alum Kishonna L. Gray's research on marginalized communities. As the 2024 Lincoln Center Visiting Scholar, Gray discussed the intersection of games, identity, and social norms, urging a reevaluation of game interactions' effects on historically marginalized groups.
Read MoreA recent study from West Virginia University in Morgantown explored the impact of gamifying manufacturing tasks on worker engagement and productivity. Participants assembled a model cherry picker over multiple sessions, with one group receiving gamified incentives like progress bars and badges.
Read MoreRobot trading is revolutionizing financial markets by making investing more accessible for new investors. Automated platforms simplify the process, using algorithms to reduce human error and emotional decision-making. These systems offer a gamified experience, with leaderboards and interactive features that engage users. While risks remain, automation lowers barriers to entry.
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