Sam Macdonald on Game Design and Faith

Sam Macdonald of ‪@garphillgames‬ discusses his religious journey and board game philosophy. Sam explores the connections between board game design and religious faith, especially in the areas of community, self-expression, rules, fun, and the joy of discovery. We also take a stab at potential games based on Biblical stories. Sam shares his thoughts on the importance of fun in both gaming and faith, and how games can facilitate fellowship and problem-solving. We also touch on the challenges of designing biblical-themed games and the balance between creating enjoyable experiences and conveying a message.

#boardgames, #faith, #gamedesign, #fellowship, #agency, #rules, #fun, #Bible, #gameplay, #senseofdiscovery, #victory, #theological insights, #problem-solving, #biblegames, #christianity #christianfaith #christianfaithchurch

Takeaways

Game design can reflect the heart of God by promoting fellowship, agency, following rules, and having fun.
The Art of Discovery in games, with hidden gems and Easter eggs, can create a sense of enjoyment and excitement for players.
Game design can provide opportunities for players to express themselves creatively and explore different strategies.
Following rules in games and in life can lead to a more peaceful and joyful experience.
The intersection of games and faith offers unique opportunities for exploration and growth. Finding new strategies and paths to victory in board games can be a fun and rewarding experience.
The Bible contains hidden meanings and connections between passages that can be discovered through deep reading and study.
Games can facilitate fellowship and problem-solving, providing a safe environment to solve problems and feel a sense of mastery.
The art of discovery can also be found in reading scriptures, where the Holy Spirit can illuminate truth to the reader.
Designing biblical-themed games can be challenging, as it's important to balance creating enjoyable experiences with conveying a message.

Sound Bites

"I want this game to bring about fellowship."
"I want players to express themselves creatively."
"I want people to follow the rules."
"Eventually if you get good at executing that strategy it will be a viable path to victory and it will make the game feel so different."
"There is a way to play it where you can be competitive. I won't say it wins every time."
"When you read the Bible deeply, you just start to realize... there's some amazing things to discover."


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