July 6th, 2024

A Thousand Primers, Not Just One

The essay critiques generic gamification in education, advocating for intrinsic motivation and subject-specific design. "Zombies, Run!" success is attributed to tailored gameplay, immersive storytelling, and user-centered design principles.

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A Thousand Primers, Not Just One

The essay "Exorcising us of the Primer" by Andy Matuschak critiques the gamification approach in education, emphasizing the need for intrinsic motivation in learners. The article discusses the pitfalls of generic gamification, advocating for subject-specific design. The success of the running game "Zombies, Run!" is attributed to its tailored approach to the activity, focusing on audio-based gameplay and respecting runners' habits. The game's unique design, including a zombie apocalypse theme and immersive storytelling, set it apart from other running games. By prioritizing player experience and engagement, the creators ensured the game's popularity and longevity. The article highlights the importance of understanding users' needs and behaviors when designing gamified experiences, emphasizing the value of specificity and thoughtful constraints in game development.

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By @RecycledEle - 3 months
As I read the articles linked from this article, it occurs to me that generative AI could redo educational simulations to use characters familiar to the user. That would get us one step close to Neil Stephenson's "A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer."