Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11) Narrative, mastery, and character bleed in games, with Ricki Heicklen
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Oct 16, 2025 Ricki Heicklen, a game designer and educator known for her innovative use of games in teaching, joins the conversation to share insights from the Metagame conference. They discuss how simplified game design enhances learning and the blurred lines between player and character identities. Ricki explains exciting megagame mechanics and the challenges of designing engaging player experiences. Patrick shares his journey of using LLMs to create compelling narratives in games, examining the emotional weight that emerges from minimal world-building.
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Ramp Complexity To Teach Skills
- Start learners in simplified, playable simulations and ramp complexity to build skills gradually.
- Use iterative rounds and tailored rule changes to teach concepts like trading more effectively.
Broad Game Definition Expands Creativity
- Broad definitions of "game" attract diverse creators and mechanics to a single event.
- Immersive experiences range from board games to immersive theater and LARPs, enriching cross-pollination.
Rapid Escape Room Prototyping
- A dozen amateur designers prototyped an escape room in under two hours and iterated across eight playtests.
- The final version, playtested at 1am, delivered a polished player experience by conference time.
