What is “Gamification?”

The Learning Arcade: Empowering Education with Gaming — a interactive ActiveBook edition in Education from Linus Learning. ISBN 979-8-90050-065-2.

Player InteractionOn today’s episode we’ll cover Player Interaction. Player interaction is an important characteristic to consider when designing games. The ...

Discover the Games-Based Learning Digital Library: research, resources, and tools on gamification, serious games, and learning through play.

Rounds are a “sacred space” in training. Doctors at Jefferson Health have found a way to gamify it—boosting resident engagement and team connection.

This article will provide an overview on debriefing as well as the fundamental reasons why debriefing should be included in games-based learning. Games-based learning is part of the experiential learning cycle. So, a connection on this method of teaching and learning will be made as well as how instructors can outline goals for debriefing.

This article will answer the question “What is the magic circle?” In addition, it’ll address the magic circle as the “separate and special place” in gaming. Characteristics and locations of the magic circle will be discussed as well as how players cross into the magic circle. Players’ rules and roles within the circle as well as their return to “reality” are covered in this article.

What is “Gamification?”

Discover the Games-Based Learning Digital Library: research, resources, and tools on gamification, serious games, and learning through play.

Secretary Hegseth announced Tuesday that colonels and captains seeking promotions will undergo a new Joint Warfighter Evaluation.

Learn how affordances in game design create intuitive, engaging gameplay. This guide explains visual cues, controls, feedback, and signifiers that help players understand interactions naturally. Discover practical design strategies to improve usability, accessibility, immersion, and player experience across video games, board games, and mobile games.

This article defines intrinsic motivation with some examples. This is contrasted with extrinsic motivation: our desire to participate for some sort of external benefit. Both intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation are compared. Intrinsic motivation in games is highly influenced by social pressures. These social pressures also manifest themselves in the workplace and throughout education.

This post will go into greater depth as to HOW learning in a games-based learning environment happens.  It all starts with constructivism.

What is “Gamification?”

Games and simulations are two things that seem talked about in the same circles. Sometimes they even get misinterpreted for one another. They do share some of the same characteristics; but games and simulations are different from one another.

Discover the Games-Based Learning Digital Library: research, resources, and tools on gamification, serious games, and learning through play.

The article examines core dynamics in game design, emphasizing their impact on player experiences. Using the Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics (MDA) framework, it defines mechanics as gameplay's foundation and dynamics as behaviors emerging from interactions. Core dynamics, such as racing, collection, and exploration, unify mechanics with aesthetics to engage players and achieve goals.

Games are truly a powerful medium. They engage us and shape us. We play them, and in turn, they help inform how we interpret our own experiences. Games-based learning seeks to utilize all of these things. Game mechanics can engage users and help them solve problems.  Although in games, those problems are contrived challenges.

In this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave Eng discuss the concept of the follow mechanic in board games. They begin by relating the concept to platformer games and how follow mechanics let players perform or adjust actions chosen by others. They review games like Tiny Towns and Puerto Rico, recalling their experiences with these games.

What is “Gamification?”

One of the hardest and most difficult questions that can be asked about games is what they are and how they are defined. The answers, responses, and philosophies regarding these big questions are as diverse and varied as those who have sought to define them. Therefore, this article will attempt another take on defining games and discussing their meaning and interaction for the people...

Discover the Games-Based Learning Digital Library: research, resources, and tools on gamification, serious games, and learning through play.

Thorsten Kodalle on Strategic WargamingIn this episode of Experience Points by University XP, host Dave Eng speaks with Thorsten Kodalle, head of Innovation ...

What is “Gamification?”

Janna Kellinger on Designing Games in Learning Management SystemsIn this episode of Experience Points, Dr. Janna Kellinger shares her journey from using one-...

Discover the Games-Based Learning Digital Library: research, resources, and tools on gamification, serious games, and learning through play.

What makes a good rule book?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What makes a good rule book?” Rulebooks are one of the first things that players t...

What is an Idiogame?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is an Idiogame?” Most of the games that we know and play include a slew of interesting...

What is “Gamification?”

Discover the Games-Based Learning Digital Library: research, resources, and tools on gamification, serious games, and learning through play.

Students in the Spring 2026 Introduction to Game Design class designed games to be played at the UnCommon Corner's Day of Play.

What is Player Relevance?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Player Relevance?” Players play games for multiple different reasons. Many of ...

This article will provide an overview of self-determination theory and how the three needs of autonomy, competency, and relatedness influence player motivation. Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation will be discussed in addition to how feedback loops affect the player experience. Self-determination theory in its application to both games and games-based learning will be shared. Self-determination...

Liminality, Transition, and GamesOn today’s episode, we’ll discuss the concepts of Liminality, Transition, and Games. The term “liminal space” may not be fam...

What is “Gamification?”

On Using Games for LearningOn today’s episode we’ll cover Using Games for LearningSome of the most common applications are gamification, serious games, and g...