Games are an interest of mine. During the 2024 ATD-ICE conference, I had an opportunity to attend a couple of sessions related to games, gaming, and gamification. Michael Boulter led this last breakout session of the conference. In it, we explored innovative approaches to training and development, focusing on using board games to enhance learning outcomes. Learn how board games can be a powerful tool for driving learning in various contexts.
Traditional training methods often rely on lectures, presentations, and slide decks to deliver content to learners. While these approaches can be effective in certain situations, they may not always engage participants fully or facilitate long-term retention of information. That’s where board games come in.
The Power of Board Games in Learning
Board games offer a unique blend of entertainment and education, making them an effective tool for learning. Here’s why they are so powerful:
- Engagement: Board games are inherently engaging, encouraging active participation and interaction among players.
- Retention: By combining fun and learning, board games promote better retention of information and concepts.
- Problem-Solving: Many board games require players to think strategically and solve complex problems, fostering critical thinking skills.
- Collaboration: Board games often involve teamwork and collaboration, helping players develop communication and interpersonal skills.
- Adaptability: Board games can be customized to suit different learning objectives and target audiences, making them versatile tools for training and development.
Key Insights
During the session, several key insights emerged:
- Game Mechanics: Boulter discussed various game mechanics, such as resource management, strategy, and risk-taking, and how these can be leveraged to create engaging learning experiences.
- Playtesting: The importance of playtesting board games during the development process was highlighted, emphasizing the need to gather participant feedback to refine gameplay and learning outcomes.
- Facilitation: Effective facilitation techniques were explored, including how to debrief after gameplay to reinforce key learning points and promote reflection among participants.
One compelling case study shared during the session was using board games to enhance Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training in manufacturing. The game simulated real-world scenarios and challenges faced by employees, encouraging active learning and problem-solving.
How to Incorporate Board Games Into Training Programs
Ready to integrate board games into your training programs? Here are some steps to get started:
- Identify Learning Objectives: Determine the specific learning objectives you want to achieve through board game-based training.
- Select Appropriate Games: Choose board games that align with your learning objectives and suit your target audience.
- Customize and Design: Adapt the rules and components of the selected games to fit your training context and incorporate relevant content.
- Playtest and Iterate: Playtest the customized games with a sample group of participants and gather feedback to refine gameplay and learning outcomes.
- Facilitate Effectively: Develop facilitation strategies to guide participants through gameplay and debrief sessions to reinforce learning.
Game Mechanics
In game design, mechanics are the foundation of gameplay, dictating how players interact with the game world and each other. Let’s delve into four distinct game mechanics described by Boulter: roll and move, worker placement, deck building, and press your luck.
Roll and Move
- Definition: Roll and move is a classic game mechanic where players roll dice or spin a spinner to determine how many spaces their game piece moves on the board.
- Characteristics:
- Random Movement: The outcome of each player’s turn is determined by chance, adding an element of unpredictability.
- Strategy and Risk: Despite the randomness, players can strategize by taking risks or planning their moves based on the dice roll.
- Player Interaction: Competition arises as players vie for spaces and interact on the game board.
- Accessibility: This mechanic is straightforward, making it suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.
- Example
Worker Placement
- Definition: In worker placement games, players allocate their limited worker tokens, or meeple, to various actions or locations on the game board to gain resources, advance their position, or achieve objectives.
- Characteristics:
- Resource Management: Players must carefully manage their workers to optimize their actions and achieve their goals efficiently.
- Decision Making: Strategic choices are paramount as players prioritize actions and compete for valuable locations on the board.
- Player Interactivity: Worker placement games often involve indirect player interaction as participants vie for control over spaces or resources.
- Depth and Complexity: This mechanic offers depth and complexity, appealing to players who enjoy strategic challenges.
- Example
Deck Building
- Definition: Deck building games involve players constructing and refining their own custom decks of cards throughout the game to achieve specific objectives or outmaneuver opponents.
- Characteristics:
- Card Acquisition: Players acquire cards from a common pool or their personal deck, gradually shaping their strategies and tactics.
- Deck Optimization: The gameplay revolves around refining and optimizing the composition of the player’s deck to maximize its effectiveness.
- Player Autonomy: Deckbuilding offers players a high degree of autonomy and customization as they tailor their decks to suit their preferred playstyle.
- Strategic Depth: Successful deck building requires foresight, adaptability, and an understanding of card synergies and combos.
- Example
Press Your Luck
- Definition: Press your luck games challenge players to balance risk and reward as they decide to push their luck further or play it safe.
- Characteristics:
- Risk Management: Players must weigh the potential rewards against the risks of continuing to push their luck, knowing that failure may result in setbacks or loss.
- Tension and Excitement: Press your luck mechanics create tension and excitement as players decide to take another chance or stop while ahead.
- Simple Yet Engaging: This mechanic is simple to grasp yet offers engaging gameplay dynamics that keep players invested.
- Player Agency: Press your luck games empower players to make meaningful decisions that directly impact their outcomes, fostering a sense of agency.
- Example
By understanding and incorporating these diverse game mechanics into their designs, game designers can create immersive and engaging experiences that cater to a wide range of player preferences and playstyles.
Creating Game Materials
Several tools, design options, and printing methods are relevant to board game development. Let’s delve into each of these:
Tools for Playtesting
- Blank Playing Cards: These inexpensive cards can be purchased on Amazon, allowing designers to sketch game elements with Sharpie markers. They facilitate rapid iteration and adjustment during playtesting sessions.
- Online Simulators: Platforms like Tabletopia, Board Game Arena, and Tabletop Simulator offer digital environments for playtesting and prototyping board games remotely. These tools are particularly useful for testing game mechanics and rules with geographically dispersed teams.
Design Options
- In-House Design: Utilizing internal design resources, such as Adobe software, allows for creating game components like cards, boards, and tokens. Pre-built icons and assets can streamline the design process.
- Collaboration with Marketing: Partnering with the marketing department or other design professionals within the organization can provide access to additional design expertise and resources.
- Freelance Artists: Hiring freelance artists or design vendors can enhance the game’s visual appeal with custom artwork and graphics.
Printing Options
- Small-Batch Printing Services: Companies like The Game Crafter, Print & Play Productions, and DriveThruCards offer affordable options for printing small quantities of board games. These services cater to indie designers and allow for the customization of game components.
- Physical Prototyping: For physical copies of the game, various printing methods can be employed, including offset printing, digital printing, and print-on-demand services. The choice depends on budget, quantity, and desired quality.
- Online Deployment: Besides physical copies, digital versions of board games can be deployed through platforms like Tabletop Simulator or mobile app stores. This enables broader accessibility and facilitates gameplay in virtual or remote settings.
By leveraging these tools, design techniques, and printing options, board game developers can iterate on their designs, refine gameplay mechanics, and ultimately bring their creations to life in physical and digital formats.
Conclusion
Board games offer a dynamic and engaging approach to training and development, providing opportunities for active learning, collaboration, and problem-solving. Organizations can enhance learning outcomes and create memorable participant experiences by incorporating board games into training programs. Are you ready to level up your training with board games?
Photo by Pixabay and photo by cottonbro studio
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