Attack From All Directions

Attack From All DirectionsBuilding Educational Games with Multiple Paths of Transformation

Jesse Schell

Meaningful Play 2014

SG Transformational Game Design Process

1. Start with High Level Outcome2. Establish Domain Resources- People and/or Materials3. Exchange Expertise between dev team & domain experts

o Vocabulary of games and domain

o Concepts of games, domain, teaching, & learning methods

4. Define Transformational Goal(s)o Understand the Problems & Barriers to player change

o Understand desired Evaluation criteria

5. Agree on key Theory, Knowledge, Experience, & Skills to achieve each player transformation goal

6. Establish Game Application Strategies to support transformation7. Develop, Playtest, Evaluate, & Iterate

o This may include iteration of Transformational Goals

Problem: • Inner city teens can be at-risk for HIV

Transformational Goal: • Get them to make safer choices

PlayForward: Transformational Methods1) Get them to visualize their ideal future 2) Expose them to the consequences of dangerous behavior3) Expose them to facts about what is and isn’t dangerous4) Give them practice examining situations to identify dangers5) Give them practice hearing the language of seduction, and using the

language of refusal6) Give them practice examining their social networks, and evaluating them

for safety7) Give them practice taking risks and experiencing the consequences8) Give them the rewarding feeling of stopping a dangerous event before it

happens

1) Get them to visualize their ideal future

2) Expose them to the consequences of dangerous behavior

3) Expose them to facts about what is and isn’t dangerous

4) Give them practice examining situations to identify the danger

4) Give them practice examining situations to identify dangers

5) Give them practice hearing the language of seduction, and using the language of refusal

6) Give them practice examining their social networks, and evaluating them for safety

7) Give them practice taking risks and experiencing the consequences

8) Give them the rewarding feeling of stopping a dangerous event before it happens

PlayForward: Transformational Methods1) Get them to visualize their ideal future 2) Expose them to the consequences of dangerous behavior3) Expose them to facts about what is and isn’t dangerous4) Give them practice examining situations to identify dangers5) Give them practice hearing the language of seduction, and using the

language of refusal6) Give them practice examining their social networks, and evaluating them

for safety7) Give them practice taking risks and experiencing the consequences8) Give them the rewarding feeling of stopping a dangerous event before it

happens

Problem: • Many kids start opting out of reading in middle school.

Transformational Goal: • Get them to become lifelong readers.

Lexica: Transformational Methods1. Immerse them in an engaging story about mindset theory

2. Let them become friends with intriguing and engaging characters from the world of literature

3. Help them build vocabulary, syntax knowledge, and reading fluency

4. Engage them in a story that exercises their reading skills

5. Lead them to gateway books

6. Help them make time to read

7. Incentivize reading (gently)

8. Let them see that their classmates read

9. Let them experience the joy of writing

1) Immerse them in an engaging story about mindset theory

2) Let them become friends with intriguing and engaging characters from the world of literature

3) Help them build vocabulary, syntax knowledge, and reading fluency

4) Engage them in a story that exercises their reading skills

5) Lead them to gateway books

6) Help them make time to read

7) Incentivize reading (gently)

7) Incentivize reading (gently)

8) Show them their classmates read

9) Let them experience the joy of writing

Lexica: Transformational Methods1. Immerse them in an engaging story about mindset theory

2. Let them become friends with intriguing and engaging characters from the world of literature

3. Help them build vocabulary, syntax knowledge, and reading fluency

4. Engage them in a story that exercises their reading skills

5. Lead them to gateway books

6. Help them make time to read

7. Incentivize reading (gently)

8. Let them see that their classmates read

9. Let them experience the joy of writing

Three Transformational Questions1. What problem am I solving?

2. What are the many ways it can be addressed?

3. What collection of harmonious solutions makes the best game?

Thanks!Slides: jesseschell.comTwitter: @jesseschell

Email: jesse@schellgames.com