James LaPierre, Author at Filament Games

UX vs. UI Design: What’s the Difference?

January 21, 2019 // Madeline Folz

Filament Games | Educational Game Developer

Are you considering a career in UX or UI design, but are unsure of the difference between the two, or which one your interests would be best suited for? Maybe you have a product idea and are wondering if all this user-centered design mumbo-jumbo is really necessary. Or perhaps you’ve heard the terms UX and…

5 Amazing English Language Arts (ELA) Learning Games

January 23, 2019 // James LaPierre

On the hunt for high-quality English language arts learning games? You’ve come to the right place! ✨ (Image source: Giphy) As you’re likely already aware, seeking out and identifying great ELA learning games can be a challenging prospect. Unlike math and science games when lend themselves in more obvious ways to game-based representation, designing English…

Progressive Web Apps: Pros and Cons

January 28, 2019 // Andy Bourassa, Ryan Sigg

If you work in or around web technologies, you may have heard a hot new phrase getting tossed around lately: Progressive Web App (complete with its own acronym: PWA). What is a progressive web app? In short, it’s an attempt to fuse the latest modern web and native app technologies, allowing you to use a web…

Discovery Phase: A Low-Risk Introduction to Learning Game Development

February 4, 2019 // Jennifer Javornik

If you or your organization hopes to create a memorable learning experience with real-world impact, game-based learning may be the medium for you. No matter the subject area, platform, or type of player, there are tons of benefits to using custom learning games including: Creating an active and engaging learning experience. Building up a learner’s…

What’s New in Game-Based Learning – February 2019

February 6, 2019 // James LaPierre

Welcome to What’s New in Game-Based Learning – an all-new monthly series highlighting what’s 🔥HOT🔥 in the world of educational, serious, and AR/VR games for learning! Check out our curated roundup of news features, interviews, and articles below, then stay tuned on the Filament Games blog for next month’s featured stories! ⤵ For Today’s Kids, Playing Nintendo…

A Guide to Game-Based Learning at SXSW EDU 2019

February 11, 2019 // James LaPierre

Can you believe it? We’re less than one month away from SXSW EDU 2019! (Image source: Giphy) Held each year in Austin, TX from March 4–7, 2019 – the days leading up to famed interactive media, film, and music conference South By Southwest (SXSW) – the future-focused, education-themed event boasts an array of cutting-edge sessions, workshops,…

Five Reasons Why We Love Game-Based Learning ❤️

February 13, 2019 // James LaPierre

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends of Filament! 🎮🧠💕 (Image source: Tumblr) There’s a lot to love about game-based learning – so much, in fact, that we’re spending the annual holiday of fondness and affection celebrating some of our favorite aspects of the medium. Check out our lighthearted countdown of five reasons why we love game-based learning…

You Are Not Wasting My Time

February 18, 2019 // Jennifer Javornik

The other day I received an inquiry from a museum who had a creative and out-of-the-box idea. It was a smaller museum that typically curated more modest exhibits, and they had recently come upon a unique opportunity to collaborate with a well-known museum in a major city. The planned collaboration would allow them to borrow…

How XR Training Can Help Save Your Business Money

February 20, 2019 // James LaPierre

Virtual and augmented reality are poised to radically transform learning and training as we know it. We think so. Others agree. And the research backs us up. But what’s more, according to a new report from interactive entertainment market intelligence firm SuperData Research, businesses who embrace technologies like AR, MR, and VR for training are predicted to save an estimated $13.5 billion dollars…

Game Spotlight: Columbia University’s Beats Empire

February 25, 2019 // James LaPierre

Another month, another all-new learning game! This time, we’re shining a light on Beats Empire, a turn-based strategy game where players run a music studio and record label in a fictional city, reminiscent of New York. 🎤 Created in collaboration with Teachers College (Columbia University), UW–Madison, Georgia Tech, SRI, and Digital Promise as part of a…

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