The Infinite Playground

(Paperback)

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Description

In his final work, a visionary game designer reveals how a surprising range of play-based experiences can unlock our imagination and help us capture the power of fun and delight. Bernard De Koven (1941-2018) was a pioneering designer of games and theorist of fun. He studied games long before the field of game studies existed. For De Koven, games could not be reduced to artifacts and rules; they were also about experiencing fun. This book, his last, is about the imagination- the imagination as a plaything, a gateway to wonder. The Infinite Playground extends a play-centered invitation to experience the power and delight unlocked by imagination. It offers a curriculum for playful learning, as De Koven guides the readers through a series of observations and techniques, interspersed with games.

Reviews

This book is magical, sacred, beautiful, and inspired. It will reintroduce you to mysterious joys of play you may have long forgotten. It will reveal to you surprising powers of gaming that will help you make a better future. Read this book now. Keep it as a treasured favorite forever.
- Jane McGonigal, author of New York Times bestsellers Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World and SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully

First, close your eyes; next, imagine a world where the deep connections between games, play, imagination, compassion, love, life, and fun are all wonderfully clear and frame our every experience in life. Now, stick out your tongue and blow a great big raspberry of joy! Welcome to Bernie's playground! For those who are not familiar with the work of Bernie 'Blue' De Koven, this book could very well change your life. For those who have read his prior work, played his games, laughed and clapped hands with him, I can tell you that this final volume comes closer than ever to what he has always been trying to tell us about the importance of playing well, living well, and imagining our own beautiful playgrounds of life.
- Tracy Fullerton, Director, USC Game Innovation Lab

Author Bio

Bernard De Koven was a leading game designer and theorist of fun. He was a codirector of the New Games Foundation, a founder of the Games Preserve, the author of The Well-Played Game- A Player's Philosophy (MIT Press), Junkyard Sports, and A Playful Path, and creator of the website deepfun.com.