I’m continuing to explore the idea of using game mechanics to create better learning experiences (aka serious games and yes, even gamification). Here are some of the books I’ve come across that you might be interested in:
- The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell
- The Game Design Reader by Katie Salen & Eric Zimmerman
- The Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games (Gama Network Series) by Tracy Fullerton
- Total Engagement: Using Games and Virtual Worlds to Change the Way People Work and Think and Businesses Compete
- A Theory of Fun by Raph Koster
- Designing Virtual Worlds by Richard Bartle
- Creating Games: Mechanics, Content and Technology by Morgan McGuire and Odest Chadwick Jenkins
- Game Feel: A Game Designer’s Guide to Virtual Sensation by Steve Swink
- Playing for Real: A Text on Game Theory by Ken Binmore (Here’s a YouTube channel to bookmark if you’re interested in game theory: Game Theory 101)
Some books that consider instructional design and game elements include:
- Engaging learning: Designing e-learning simulation games by Clark Quinn
- Learning by doing: The essential guide to simulations, computer games, and pedagogy in e-learning and other educational experiences by Clark Aldrich
- What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy by James Paul Gee.
(Thanks to Joseph Palmisano for these last three recommendations)
Update 1/10/11: Discovered that Gamifiction.org has just made its expanded book list live. There are many additional books there to choose from, nicely organized by category, and if you’re in a shopping mood you can order directly from Amazon. So for more gamification goodness, please check that site out. They’re interested in book reviews.
Some additional resources
Of course, I’m kicking the tires on more games and reading some of the great blogs and Web sites out there. Here’s a Symbaloo collection of serious games resources I’ve collected.
If you’re feeling social about serious games, I also started a Diigo group: Games, Serious and Social, where I’ve been adding resources. Please join and share your favorite resources.
(To learn more about using Diigo, read this post: Using Diigo for intentional learning and sharing.)
Some articles from this blog about games:
- Serious about games?
- Gamification: The promise and the hype
- Games and social media platforms
- Finding the flow in social learning: a game perspective
Happy reading, exploring, and sharing!