James LaPierre, Author at Filament Games

Yes, You Are a Gamer

February 15, 2016 // Brandon Pittser

Filament Games | Educational Game Developer

Sometimes video games get a bad rap. As a form of media, they’re often considered unserious, or childish, or any number of other negative descriptors implying that time spent on a video game is time better spent elsewhere. There is a stigma applied to games that is somehow more pointed and dismissive than the hesitations…

FGP 10: Virtual Reality

February 16, 2016 // Kat Shanahan

Welcome to Episode 10! Welcome to episode 10! In this episode we discuss the ins and outs of virtual reality and explore how VR could impact the classroom. Have a question, comment, or idea you’d like us to discuss? Get in touch with us via Facebook or Twitter and we’ll try to work it into…

A Case for Learning Games: Molecubes Amplifies Student Learning

February 17, 2016 // Kat Shanahan

As a game studio, we know that not all content is right for learning games, so we take the time to vet all of our ideas to ensure they make the best games for the classroom. Our recent release, Molecubes, was tested extensively throughout its development to make sure it was enjoyable and educational as a piece…

FGP 11: Game Engines

February 23, 2016 // Kat Shanahan

Welcome to Episode 11! In FGP 11, Brandon and Dan weigh in on the changes to Hearthstone and explore Amazon’s new game engine, Lumberyard. We also discuss unity vs. HTML 5, Brandon puts down his pitchfork, and we learn some super boring tidbits about Dan. Hot Topics in This Week’s Episode Lumberyard Getting the Most…

How to Conduct Playtests

February 24, 2016 // Marshall Behringer

Making software–any software, whether it’s an app on your phone to help you manage your finances or a game for the Playstation 4–is hard. Making good software that doesn’t drive your users nuts is harder because you have to pay attention to something called usability. People have brains, and brains have limits in how much…

FGP 12: Mobile Games

March 1, 2016 // Kat Shanahan

Welcome to Episode 12! This week we arrive at the end of our quest for a good mobile game. We also discuss why Filament hasn’t made more mobile games, why Brandon is a stock photographer, and what lead us to design a game about chickens on planes. Hot Topics in This Week’s Episode Crashlands Coffee with…

FGP 13: Dan, Dan, and Brandon

March 8, 2016 // Kat Shanahan

Welcome to Episode 13! In FGP 13 our biggest fan, Dan White, joins us in the studio and shares his love of flanking games. We also discuss why we make learning games, how to make terrible things that are still good, and what it’s like to make games that improve people’s lives. Filament Games CEO…

Alternative Ways to Teach with Games

March 9, 2016 // Elle Jacobson

Although school districts are implementing new mobile technology at a steady pace and the number of institutions interested in implementing devices is particularly strong, many classrooms in the United States still are not 1:1. If 1:1 isn’t on the horizon for you just yet, have no fear! There are a number of ways to use games…

FGP 14: Chatting With Rich Halverson

March 15, 2016 // Kat Shanahan

Welcome to Episode 14! Basketball fans rejoice! This week we chat with learning games researcher, Rich Halverson, about digital technology in the classroom and why he thinks basketball players are the best athletes in the world. Hot topics in this week’s episode include Elite Dangerous, Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth, and Gems of War. “Many…

Hiring Top Talent in QA

March 16, 2016 // Shaina Peshkov

While it’s certainly true that good testers can come from anywhere and with any background, it is not true that anyone can be a good tester. Testing may not require a specialized degree or years of formal training, but it does require a specific set of skills that not everyone possesses. Many organizations hire young…

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