The Seduction Secrets of Video Game Designers
Video game designers create games that appeal to intrinsic motivations and desires that is the base of human learning. People learn best when presented with systems and puzzles in an environment where failure is accepted and even encouraged. Game designer Raph Koster states that "with gaming, learning is the drug", and goes on further with "In game theory, this is often spoken of as the 'magic circle': you enter into a realm where the rules of the world don't apply - and typically being judged on success and failure is a part of the real world. People need to feel free to try things and to learn without being judged or penalized."In many games, there are activities available to practice. When the player chooses to be ready, he or she can decide when and where they want to display the things they have learned.
The "acquire, test, master" model of game design is present in all successful games. Games also provide users with interesting tools they don't have access to in the real world, such as magic, lightsabers, or laser guns. They also have many skills to play with, such as flying a spaceship, or acrobatics game activities. In these games, learning is controlled by the user and gives them a sense of authority and control they may not have in the real world, which is very attractive to gamers. People have an intrinsic need for control, which many of the most successful games provide. People can choose, plan and design when and how they learn in these games. Games often emphasize these needs in the gamer, providing them with ownership over their own experiences.
Established reward systems also feed into intrinsic human motivation and needs. Games often reward players systematically which motivates them to continue to seek rewards and gain greater benefits. In the real world, people are not rewarded in the same ways, which can be demotivating.
While these are all great points about the success of gaming, there is more to creating a compelling game. The best games have an ever evolving world of rich stories and narratives. Charles Cecil says, "On of the joys of gaming is that the story means so much more because you have achieved something to get it, rather than just watching it. That is the great strengths of the medium." Feedback is extremely important to successful game design. People are motivated to achieve when there is difficulty and risk, such as nearly dying in a game. Games fulfill many intrinsic needs in people and will continue to grow and succeed, providing users with compelling learning experiences. Understanding how people are rewarded, what their needs are, and how they learn are all very important factors when creating games and also lesson plans. Using the knowledge gained from gaming, we can implement gamification for more effective learning strategies.
The "acquire, test, master" model of game design is present in all successful games. Games also provide users with interesting tools they don't have access to in the real world, such as magic, lightsabers, or laser guns. They also have many skills to play with, such as flying a spaceship, or acrobatics game activities. In these games, learning is controlled by the user and gives them a sense of authority and control they may not have in the real world, which is very attractive to gamers. People have an intrinsic need for control, which many of the most successful games provide. People can choose, plan and design when and how they learn in these games. Games often emphasize these needs in the gamer, providing them with ownership over their own experiences.
Established reward systems also feed into intrinsic human motivation and needs. Games often reward players systematically which motivates them to continue to seek rewards and gain greater benefits. In the real world, people are not rewarded in the same ways, which can be demotivating.
While these are all great points about the success of gaming, there is more to creating a compelling game. The best games have an ever evolving world of rich stories and narratives. Charles Cecil says, "On of the joys of gaming is that the story means so much more because you have achieved something to get it, rather than just watching it. That is the great strengths of the medium." Feedback is extremely important to successful game design. People are motivated to achieve when there is difficulty and risk, such as nearly dying in a game. Games fulfill many intrinsic needs in people and will continue to grow and succeed, providing users with compelling learning experiences. Understanding how people are rewarded, what their needs are, and how they learn are all very important factors when creating games and also lesson plans. Using the knowledge gained from gaming, we can implement gamification for more effective learning strategies.
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