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Thomas Biedermann on CyberNations This episode of Experience Points features Thomas Biedermann, a senior lecturer at the Australian National University School of Cybernetics and designer of CyberNations, a semi-cooperative board game about leading responsibly in a complex, adaptive world. Thomas traces the threads running through his practice - homemade board games in a French basement, tabletop and live-action role-playing at summer camp, systems engineering, and organizational design - and explains how cybernetics gave him a way to steer complex systems made of people, technologies, and ecologies. He describes how CyberNations models feedback loops inside a single session while persisting between sessions, so each group inherits the world the last group left behind and writes an entry in the game's living Chronicle for the group that follows. Thomas discusses the three books that shape his design decisions - Casper Harteveld's Triadic Game Design, Amabel Holland's Cardboard Ghosts, and Michael Sellers' Advanced Game Design - and the argument that game mechanics are not just building blocks but claims about how the world is or could be. He closes with stories of players who deliberately wrecked their community for the next group and players who abandoned a winning objective on principle and makes the case for modding as a reminder that agency in the real world takes many more forms than a rulebook allows. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/174 Support the show

Withered Technology and Lateral Thinking Some ideas arrive before their time. But the best ideas arrive at exactly the right moment. And often that is not because the idea was flashy, or spectacular, or brand new. It's because someone found a different way to see, to use, or to apply something that was already sitting right in front of them… Today we're talking about withered technology and lateral thinking. We'll define both, meet the designer who built a philosophy around them, and look at the product that proved it worked. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/173 Support the show

Sebastian Bae on Littoral Commander This episode of Experience Points features Sebastian Bae, a senior game designer at the Center for Naval Analyses and designer of Littoral Commander: Indo-Pacific, an educational wargame exploring future tactical conflict in the Indo-Pacific. Sebastian shares his meandering path from the Marine Corps infantry to professional wargame design, and how his enlisted background shaped his drive to push games down to the lowest tactical level. He explains the core tension of educational game design: keeping a game accurate and realistic enough that players trust the model, while still making it approachable, teachable, and usable. Sebastian describes how a scalable card-driven system and terrain research conducted in ArcGIS made a complex subject playable, why the game deliberately avoids prescribing “right answers,” and how commands and classrooms have adapted the game for their own needs. He closes with two lessons for educators using games to teach serious topics: have a clear, defined vision of what you are teaching and to whom and build the back-end infrastructure - especially the discussion after the game - where learning synthesizes and crystallizes for players. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/172 Support the show

Win Conditions First If I asked your learners how they win, could they answer in one sentence? Because if they can't, your design is already broken. In games, win conditions are obvious. They're clear and immediate. You either reach the finish line, defeat the boss, or score the most points. But in learning, we often bury success under vague objectives, long descriptions, and unclear expectations. If a learner can't clearly explain how they win, then they don't know what matters. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/171 Support the show

AP Table Talk: Variable Setup In this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave dig into the variable setup mechanic, where the starting game state changes from play to play through randomized boards, player setups, resources, and objectives. From foundational classics like Risk, Catan, and Dominion to favorites like Istanbul, Hey, That's My Fish!, Waddle, Inis, and Sagrada, they debate where the boundary of the mechanic really lies - whether shuffled markets, randomized roles, and end game bonuses truly count - and explore how variable setup supports replayability, fresh puzzles, and balance between new and experienced players. Along the way, they cover the challenges of teaching highly variable games, front-loaded cognitive load in opening turns, variance that can feel empty in games like Wingspan, and bonus stories about Maatatahay, The Quest for El Dorado, Sungka, and Chess960. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode delivered directly to you. We’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! We live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.comUniversity XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP. Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/170 Support the show

What are Matrix Games? At its core, a matrix game is a structured argumentation system used for learning through play. They were developed back in 1992 by Chris Engle, who wanted a teaching tool that was simpler and more flexible than the rules-heavy wargames and role-playing games of the era. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/169 Support the show

Gijs van Bilsen on Live Action Learning and LARPs This episode of Experience Points features Gijs van Bilsen, founder of the Live Action Learning Institute, who shares how live-action role-playing (LARP) can transform imagination into a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Gijs explains how stepping into fictional but recognizable scenarios allows people to safely practice skills like leadership, spontaneity, and confidence. Drawing on examples from corporate trainings and his own life, he introduces the Think, Shape, Feel, Do framework; a method for summoning the version of yourself you most want to embody. Gijs also unpacks the concept of "bleed," where qualities from a played character spill into everyday behavior, offering lasting change. Through practical demonstration and storytelling, he invites listeners to see imagination not as a gift, but as a skill that sparks curiosity, deepens empathy, and drives real-world transformation. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/168 Support the show

AP Table Talk: Tug of War In this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave dig into the tug-of-war mechanic, where a shared marker moves back and forth along a track toward opposing ends, creating a zero-sum struggle in which one player's gain is the other's loss. From minimalist gems like Hanamikoji to heavyweight political thrillers like Twilight Struggle and Watergate, to modern two-player favorites like 7 Wonders Duel, King of Tokyo: Duel, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes, and Zenith, they unpack how the mechanic delivers immediate clarity of game state, mounting tension, and built-in take-that dynamics. Along the way, they explore tug-of-war's thematic strength in conflict and rivalry, its struggles with multiplayer scalability, the risk of zero-sum fatigue, and why it works best as a clean base that needs additional mechanics layered on top to truly shine. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode delivered directly to you. We’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! We live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.comUniversity XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP. Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/167 Support the show

What are Military Simulations? Some of the most well-known games - chess, checkers, and Go - can all trace their lineage to battles, warfare, and general conflict. These games are related, at least in some way, to how humans have waged war against one another for millennia. But if these games are based on warfare, then what was their original purpose? Why recreate battles and tactics in this format? To answer that, we need to look at military simulations.  If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/166 Support the show

Escape Rooms for Learning You know that feeling when the clock is ticking, and you’re scrambling to solve a puzzle before time runs out? Maybe you're searching for a hidden key under a rug, decoding a cipher on a whiteboard, or yelling, “Hey! Try this combination!” as your team races to escape a locked room? Then you’ve probably already done an escape room before! Now, what if I told you that same thrill, that same pressure-cooker teamwork, could be used to teach students everything from chemistry to communication skills?  If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/165 Support the show

Victoria Ichizli-Bartels on Be Your Best Game Master This episode of Experience Points features self-gamification pioneer Victoria Ichizli-Bartels, who reveals how treating everyday life as a game can spark joy, reduce stress, and boost productivity. Victoria shares how combining role-playing, kaizen, and playful design helps people navigate challenges with curiosity and self-compassion. Drawing on her background in engineering and storytelling, she explains how reframing emotions as game characters fosters inner dialogue, insight, and resilience. Through practical strategies; from scoring systems to emotional role-play; Victoria empowers listeners to become their own best Game Masters, designing lives filled with purpose, fun, and discovery. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/164 Support the show

Raul Mora on Understanding Second Language Users as Gamers In this episode of Experience Points, Dr. Raul Alberto Mora shares insights from his book Understanding Second Language Users as Gamers: Language as Victory. He explores how gamers learn English through play, not for school, but to win, connect, and belong in gaming spaces. Mora emphasizes the value of research by gamers, highlighting how his team of undergrad researchers brought unique perspectives shaped by thousands of hours of gameplay. He also discusses the importance of mentoring young scholars and making academic work accessible beyond universities: through podcasts, libraries, and platforms like TikTok. Games, Mora argues, aren’t just entertainment, they’re immersive spaces for language learning, identity-building, and academic innovation. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/163 Support the show

Jon Spike on Games as Creative Constraint In this episode of Experience Points, Jon Spike explores how creative constraint drives innovation in game design and learning. A former K–12 English teacher now working at University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Jon shares how classroom experimentation led him to design tabletop educational games through GamestormEDU. He highlights Gamestormers, which uses a five-card structure to scaffold storytelling while preserving player agency, and Doomscroll, where players step into the role of social media algorithms to unpack persuasive design. Jon emphasizes that educational games must first succeed as enjoyable experiences. Through thoughtful playtesting and adaptable design, he argues that strong constraints don’t limit creativity—they focus and elevate it. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/162 Support the show

AP Table Talk: Race In this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave dig into the race mechanic, where players compete toward a shared finish line and the first to cross it ends the game. From childhood staples like Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land to modern classics like Catan, Splendor, Heat: Pedal to the Metal, and Cosmoctopus, they unpack how race structures create tension, pacing, and dramatic finishes. Along the way, they explore design tradeoffs around luck, runaway leaders, player interaction, and why some games feel like races without truly using the mechanic at all. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode delivered directly to you. We’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! We live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.comUniversity XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP. Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/161 Support the show

Katrin Becker on Learning through Playful Experiences In this episode of Experience Points, serious games expert Katrin Becker explores why “good enough” may be more powerful than perfection in gamified learning. She argues that focusing on defined criteria rather than comparison increases student agency and supports a wider range of learners; not just top performers. Katrin highlights safety and trust as essential to joyful learning, emphasizing that mistakes must be recoverable. By allowing resubmissions and designing flexible systems, educators encourage reflection, risk-taking, and persistence. She also introduces “benign transgression,” explaining that students will test boundaries—so instructors should build thoughtful guardrails and iterate their designs without breaking trust. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is absolutely free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning.  So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP Also, feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Game on! Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/160 Artist / Guest Dave Eng, EdD Katrin Becker  Summary In this episode of Experience Points, serious games expert Katrin Becker explores why “good enough” may be more powerful than perfection in gamified learning. She argues that focusing on defined criteria rather than comparison increases student agency and supports a wider range of learners; not just top performers. Katrin highlights safety and trust as essential to joyful learning, emphasizing that mistakes must be recoverable. By allowing resubmissions and designing flexible systems, educators encourage reflection, risk-taking, and persistence. She also introduces “benign transgression,” explaining that students will test boundaries—so instructors should build thoughtful guardrails and iterate their designs without breaking trust. Support the show