Games
The Secret Process for Designing
Matter
that
Jesse Schell • jesse@schellgames.com • @jesseschell
Barbara Chamberlin, PhD • bchamber@nmsu.edu • @bchamber
What
change
do I want
to see in
the
learner?
1
skill
behavior
emotion
physiology
knowledge
what they can do
what they know
how they act
how they feel
how they are
skill
what they can do
knowledge
what they know
behavior
how they act
emotion
how they feel
physiology
how they are
What change do I want to see in the learner?
1
After using our game,
the player will…
skill
what they can do
knowledge
what they know
behavior
how they act
emotion
how they feel
physiology
how they are
What change do I want to see in the learner?
1
skill
what they can do
knowledge
what they know
behavior
how they act
emotion
how they feel
physiology
how they are
√ know what impacts sugar
√
√ appropriate blood sugar levels
prioritize health
properly test blood sugar
√ test regularly
√
What change do I want to see in the learner?
1
skill
what they can do
knowledge
what they know
behavior
how they act
emotion
how they feel
physiology
how they are
√
√
√
What change do I want to see in the learner?
1
know what impacts sugar
appropriate blood sugar levels
prioritize health
properly test blood sugar
test regularly
skill
what they can do
knowledge
what they know
behavior
how they act
emotion
how they feel
physiology
how they are
√
√
√
What change do I want to see in the learner?
1
know what impacts sugar
appropriate blood sugar levels
test regularly
skill
what they can do
knowledge
what they know
behavior
how they act
emotion
how they feel
physiology
how they are
√
√
√
What change do I want to see in the learner?
1
know what impacts sugar
properly test blood sugar
test regularly
skill
what they can do
knowledge
what they know
behavior
how they act
emotion
how they feel
physiology
how they are
√
√
√
What change do I want to see in the learner?
1
appropriate blood sugar levels
prioritize health
test regularly
skill
what they can do
knowledge
what they know
behavior
how they act
emotion
how they feel
physiology
how they are
What change do I want to see in the learner?
1
How are they different
when they are done playing the game?
What
change
do I want to
see in the
learner?
1
What
activities
lead to that
change?
2
Doing daily exercise
can change a player’s
cardiovascular health.
Hearing a dramatic
story about elephants can
change a player’s
feelings about
endangered species.
Becoming familiar
with the periodic table
can change a player’s
comfort level with
chemistry class.
Learning how many
calories are in ranch dressing
can surprise a player, who
may then challenge that
information, investigate it
further, possibly even
compute it for themselves,
then change their
behavior regarding ranch
dressing.
Work with Information Think Practice
Receive
Monitor
Consider
Question
Imagine
Analyze
Interpret
Reflect
Build Mental Model
Exercise
Rehearse
Memorize
Familiarize
Solve Problems Communicate Values
Accept Challenge
Hypothesize
Experiment
Solve
Discuss
Explain
Ask
Empathize
Build Relationship
CompareValues
TestValues
Prioritize
Experience Things Manage Environment Look to the Future
Be Immersed
Be Surprised
Be Punished
Be Rewarded
Examine Surroundings
Alter Surroundings
Relocate
Predict
Plan
Set Goals
Receive
Information
Practice Skill
Experiment
Immerse
YourselfPlan
Action Predict
Establish
Priorities
Solve a
Problem
Monitor Progress
Explain Somethin
Reflect
Ask
Questions
Change
Surroundings
Consider
Alternatives
Interpret
Experience WonderStop Acting
2
What
activities
lead to that
change?
2
What
activities
lead to that
change?
Work with Information Think Practice
Receive
Monitor
Consider
Question
Imagine
Analyze
Interpret
Reflect
Build Mental Model
Exercise
Rehearse
Memorize
Familiarize
Solve Problems Communicate Values
Accept Challenge
Hypothesize
Experiment
Solve
Discuss
Explain
Ask
Empathize
Build Relationship
CompareValues
TestValues
Prioritize
Experience Things Manage Environment Look to the Future
Be Immersed
Be Surprised
Be Punished
Be Rewarded
Examine Surroundings
Alter Surroundings
Relocate
Predict
Plan
Set Goals
The important problem you care about.
Describe
your
change
1
Choose your
activities
2
Design your
game
3
Problem:
What
activities
lead to that
change?
What
change
do I want to see
in the learner?
How can
gameplay
facilitate
those activities?know how
credit score works
Problem: Help high school kids maintain good credit score.
believe it is
important
make
sound
decisions
experiment with
actions that change
credit score
know
what impacts credit
score
Survive in a world
based on your
decisions.
What
activities
lead to that
change?
What
change
do I want to see
in the learner?
How can
gameplay
facilitate
those activities?
know cases
that are misleading
Problem: Improve doctors’ handling of ER trauma.
apply
knowledge in
the ER
practice making
ER diagnoses
get feedback
get to know
patients
adventure game
in ER
see patients suffer
Where and how will it be played?
• What is the venue?
• Is device important?
• Will social interaction be an important part?
How can
gameplay
facilitate
those activities?
3
Where and how will it be played?
• What is the venue?
• Is device important?
• Will social interaction be an important part?
What is the player’s experience?
• What does the player do in the game?
• What makes the game challenging?
• Can the player win? How?
• Why will people want to play?
• Why will they keep playing?
How can
gameplay
facilitate
those activities?
3
Games
The Secret Process for Designing
Matter
that
Jesse Schell • jesse@schellgames.com • @jesseschell
Barbara Chamberlin, PhD • bchamber@nmsu.edu • @bchamber