x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Experience Points

Welcome to Experience Points by University XP hosted by Dr. Dave Eng. On Experience Points we explore different ways we can learn from games. Find out more at www.universityxp.com I hope you find this show useful. If you’d like to learn more about games-based learning then a great place to start is my blog at universityxp.com/blog. University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook as University XP. Feel free to email me anytime at dave@universityxp.com Game on!

education video games

All Episodes

21:07

Mary-Ellen Fimbel on Game Design Principles for...

Experience Points ·

2026/02/08

Mary-Ellen Fimbel on Game Design Principles for EducationThis episode of Experience Points features game designer and educator Mary-Ellen Fimbel, who shares how game design principles can transform classroom learning. She discusses “teaching like a game dev,” using storytelling, interactivity, and even puppets as playful avatars to deliver authentic feedback and spark curiosity. Mary-Ellen explains how honoring student questions, modeling inquiry, and scaffolding problem-solving builds confidence

en-us

9:53

What are Role-Playing Games?

Experience Points ·

2026/01/25

What are Role-Playing Games?Today, we’re diving into one of the most fascinating - and frankly, most misunderstood - forms of interactive play: Role-Playing Games, or RPGs. So what are RPGs? Are they just about dice rolls and dragons? Are they all swords and stats? Or is there something deeper, and something profoundly human, about stepping into someone else’s shoes in a world that is not quite our own. Well, pull up a chair, and maybe grab your character sheet, and let’s explore what it really

en-us

25:22

Amber Sewell on Games as Information Literacy

Experience Points ·

2026/01/11

Amber Sewell on Games as Information LiteracyIn this episode of Experience Points, Dave Eng talks with Amber Sewell, a Teaching and Learning Librarian at UNLV, about using games to teach information literacy. Amber shares how her classroom activity Authority Argle Bargle turns debates about academic majors into playful, critical discussions on credibility and source evaluation. She also reflects on how games and podcasting—like her own LibParlor Podcast—help make scholarship more accessible by

en-us

16:19

Victoria Banks on Dungeons, Dragons, and Discourse

Experience Points ·

2025/12/28

Victoria Banks on Dungeons, Dragons, and DiscourseIn this episode of Experience Points, Dave Eng interviews Victoria Banks, a Clemson University PhD student and video game scriptwriter, on using Dungeons & Dragons–inspired course design to engage students. She explains how mechanics like levels, boss battles, and character creation boost motivation and agency, while linking game rhetoric to classroom design. Sharing stories of students tickling dragons or exploiting overpowered abilities,

en-us

78:48

AP Table Talk: Variable Player Powers

Experience Points ·

2025/12/14

AP Table Talk: Variable Player PowersIn this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave explore Variable Player Powers, where players get unique abilities (or flaws!) that shape strategy and spark replayability. From the classic HeroQuest and Battlestar Galactica to asymmetric gems like Root, Sky Team, and Star Wars: Rebellion, they break down how this mechanic fuels dynamic gameplay, negotiation, and storytelling. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and

en-us

31:17

Richard Durham on Learning through Engaging Gameplay

Experience Points ·

2025/11/30

Richard Durham on Learning through Engaging GameplayIn this episode of Experience Points, Dave Eng speaks with Richard Durham, a prolific game designer, creative director, and educator at Wondertree Studios. Richard shares insights from designing over 30 games across mediums—from street festivals and museum activations to tabletop and secret events—driven by curiosity and a focus on player experience. He explains his “quick, dirty, backwards” design approach, using laddering questions to uncover

en-us

9:42

Game Design Constraints and Scope Creep

Experience Points ·

2025/11/16

Game Design Constraints and Scope CreepToday, we’re diving into two little words that have the power to either catapult your project forward… or completely derail it. Those words? Constraints and scope creep. Maybe you’ve heard them thrown around in design meetings. Maybe you’ve bumped into them the hard way on your own projects. Either way, by the end of this episode, you’ll see why understanding these two forces—and learning to wield them wisely—is absolutely essential to your success as a

en-us

9:20

Designing the Core Dynamics

Experience Points ·

2025/11/02

Designing the Core DynamicsToday, we’re diving deep into a concept that sits right at the heart of game design: core dynamics. What makes a game engaging? Why do some games pull us in and keep us coming back? It’s not just the artwork or the theme. It's not even the mechanics alone. It’s something deeper. It’s the dynamic that drives player action, interaction, and emotion. Today’s episode is all about identifying, designing, and testing core dynamics. Whether you're a designer, educator,

en-us

24:02

Josefine Schwarzer Applied Games and Mental Health

Experience Points ·

2025/10/19

Josefine Schwarzer Applied Games and Mental HealthIn this episode of Experience Points, Dave Eng interviews Josefine Schwarzer, a German occupational therapist exploring how tabletop RPGs and LARPs support mental health. Josefine shares how role-play creates safe, expressive spaces that boost self-esteem and break from anxiety. She recounts clients using fantasy roles to assert themselves and even physical rehab sessions transformed into Minecraft sword battles. Together, they discuss “bleed,”

en-us

28:24

Michael Low and Luna Uni: A New World of RPG Writing...

Experience Points ·

2025/10/05

Michael Low and Luna Uni: A New World of RPG Writing InstructionIn this episode of Experience Points, host Dave Eng welcomes Michael Low—educator, game designer, and creator of Stories RPG. Michael shares the powerful story behind Luna Uni, a tabletop role-playing curriculum that transforms writing instruction through collaborative storytelling. From 100% student writing gains to building emotionally resonant classrooms, Michael explains how play, character-driven narratives, and East Asian story

en-us

30:13

Shaun McMillan on Turning Lectures into Games

Experience Points ·

2025/09/21

Shaun McMillan on Turning Lectures into GamesIn this episode of Experience Points, host Dave Eng interviews educational game designer Shaun McMillan about transforming traditional lectures into interactive, game-like experiences. Shaun shares his framework for designing lectures around a single compelling multiple-choice scenario, enabling students to engage deeply with content by making critical decisions. He discusses integrating game mechanics such as voting, uncertainty, and narrative outcomes

en-us

57:58

AP Table Talk: Take That

Experience Points ·

2025/09/07

AP Table Talk: Take ThatIn this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave dig into the “Take That” game mechanic. From classics like UNO, Sorry!, and Risk to modern favorites like Munchkin, Blood Rage, and King of Tokyo: Duel, they explore how denial, betrayal, and revenge fuel tension, drama, and unforgettable tabletop stories.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

en-us

6:27

Types of Games

Experience Points ·

2025/08/24

Types of GamesToday, we’re diving into something that might seem simple on the surface, but as it turns out, it's anything but. In this episode, we’re going to be talking about game types, and not just your usual categories like board games or video games. We’re digging deeper: into the psychology, the structure, and the social impact of how we play. So let’s get ready to explore the worlds of competitive, cooperative, and hybrid games—and why defining different game types isn’t nearly as

en-us

21:02

Ercan Altug Yilmaz Gamification in Action The TOY...

Experience Points ·

2025/08/10

Ercan Altug Yilmaz Gamification in Action The TOY FrameworkIn this episode, Dave Eng interviews Ercan Altuğ Yilmaz, a leading gamification expert and creator of the TOY Framework—an evolution of existing models like Werbach’s D6 and Octalysis. Drawing from over a decade of experience and 100+ projects, Yilmaz explains how TOY’s ten-step structure blends theory with practical business needs, emphasizing behavior change beyond badges and rewards. He discusses the importance of human- and

en-us

8:53

Games as Mediums for Interactions

Experience Points ·

2025/07/27

Games as Mediums for InteractionsIn today’s episode, we’re diving into how games function as mediums for interaction: as art, as social spaces, and as powerful tools for learning. We’ll explore everything from virtual worlds to tabletop classics and even some of the more unexpected ways games impact real life. 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

en-us

7:23

Game Goals vs Learning Outcomes

Experience Points ·

2025/07/13

Game Goals vs Learning OutcomesIn this episode, we’ll explore how learning objectives and game goals overlap, how serious games are designed for impact, and how we measure success beyond just ‘winning.’ So, buckle up—because today, we’re unlocking the next level of game-based learning! 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

en-us

68:03

AP Table Talk: Rock-Paper-Scissors

Experience Points ·

2025/06/29

AP Table Talk: Rock-Paper-ScissorsIn this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave dive deep into the timeless “rock-paper-scissors” (RPS) game mechanic. They explore its origins, its non-transitive nature, and how it shows up in everything from Magic: The Gathering to StarCraft and Skull King. From nostalgic toys like Battle Beasts to modern strategy in X-Wing Miniatures, the duo reflects on how RPS mechanics fuel tension, balance, and bluffing. Wrapping things up with a spirited pro/con debate,

en-us

22:24

Randy O'Connor on Designing Through Constraints

Experience Points ·

2025/06/15

Randy O'Connor on Designing Through ConstraintsIn this episode of Experience Points, Dave Eng welcomes game designer, artist, and educator Randy O’Connor to explore the crucial role of constraints in game design and learning. From limited resources to time pressure, constraints shape player experiences and enhance engagement. Randy shares insights on how friction creates meaningful challenges, how platform limitations influence design choices, and why designing for “not doing” can be just as

en-us

24:03

Janna Kellinger on Designing Games in Learning...

Experience Points ·

2025/06/01

Janna Kellinger on Designing Games in Learning Management SystemsIn this episode of Experience Points, Dr. Janna Kellinger shares her journey from using one-shot games in high school English classes to designing fully game-based courses at UMass Boston. She discusses her book Up Your Teaching Game and how educators can design story-driven curricular games. Janna explains how she transforms Learning Management Systems (LMS) into game engines, embedding narratives and feedback loops to drive

en-us

16:16

Elena Rabkina on Gamified Media Literacy

Experience Points ·

2025/05/18

Elena Rabkina on Gamified Media LiteracyIn this episode of Experience Points, host Dave Eng interviews interactive artist and game designer Elena Rabkina on the power of gamification in media literacy. Elena shares her journey from intellectual gaming in Belarus to designing impactful games like Media Mayhem, which teaches players how news is created, manipulated, and consumed. She discusses how game-based education fosters critical thinking, especially in an era of misinformation and AI-generated

en-us

157 results

Similar Podcasts

Science Talk

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

五分钟心理学

柠檬心理

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Veterinary Clinical Podcasts

The Royal Veterinary College