Every so often, I wonder what would happen if EdTech took itself as seriously as the games industry takes Zelda, Animal Crossing, or Grand Theft Auto1. Imagine an educational game with a cinematic trailer, a global launch, and a fanbase counting down the days. Teachers queueing like gamers on release night. Learners logging in not […]
What If Education Went Full AAA? The Case for Punk EdTech Read Post »
Why this matters now On 23 October, an episode of “Dragons’ Den” aired in the UK, and in it was a pitch from Reedah El-Saie for Brainspark Games. Friends know that EdTech is an area I’m extremely interested in, and so it didn’t take long to reach me. After twenty‑five years in the AAA game
EdTech vs Fortnite: Meet popular play on its terms Read Post »
We’re great at engagement. Maybe it’s time we aimed higher. Games already have the attention of millions. But with that comes responsibility — and an opportunity to prepare players for the future, not just distract them from the present. The games industry isn’t short on attention. We have people’s attention.It’s short on purpose. We’ve built entire
First Their Curiosity. Then Their Attention. Now What? Read Post »
I first saw The Matrix in my early twenties — like most people in games around that time. It’s aged into meme territory now, but I’ve rewatched it over the last two decades enough that, along with the trench coats and the bullet time, some of the lines occasionally wander in. “The Matrix is a
Working in the Machine: Game Development in a Platform-First World Read Post »
What the games industry needs now isn’t people with all the answers—it’s people willing to lead quietly through uncertainty and change. The games industry is in a period of flux. Studios are consolidating. Projects are being paused. Talented people across disciplines—artists, programmers, producers, QA, and more—are finding themselves in transition. In times like these, it’s
On Readiness, Displacement, and Growth at the Edge Read Post »
What happens when you leave structure behind? A journey through rewilding creativity, career shifts, and rediscovering joy in uncertainty. I like the idea that when facing the unknown, what you need is a compass, not a map. I think I first came across that phrase in the work of Joi Ito and Jeff Howe. I’ve
Unlock Creative Courage and Step Off the Map Read Post »
Are you starting fires or carrying them? A reflection on tech, games, and the quiet power of stewardship over speed. Among many Indigenous cultures, particularly in Native American traditions, there was a respected and essential role: the fire carrier. These individuals were entrusted with transporting embers between settlements, ensuring that a flame—representing warmth, safety, and
Fire Starters and Fire Carriers: Technology & the Wisdom of Impact Read Post »
A reflection on Minecraft, modern meaning, and the shift in how we understand value. Yesterday I took my teenage kids and their friends to see A Minecraft Movie. I’ve known Minecraft a long time. I bought it on 24 September 2010—during its alpha phase, when it still felt like something passed around quietly between curious
What We Miss When We Look With Old Eyes Read Post »
Games already teach systems, problem-solving, and creativity. What if we made some that do it on purpose—for the world we’re heading into? Over the past two decades, I’ve worked on games played by millions. Large projects, built by small/medium and large teams who cared about the right things—mechanics, feedback, pacing, and above all, the experience
Learning needs a New Game Read Post »
Forget zero to one. Before the big leap, there’s a scrappy phase: zero to some. No rules, no manuals—just figuring it out as you go. Imagine a small, thin metal dome, no bigger than your thumbnail. You place it on the counter, press it, and it makes a gentle pop – not loud, just a
In the Right Conditions, Small Things Matter Read Post »
