From RollerCoaster Tycoon to web-based creations
"Games are more than entertainment - they're systems for exploration, creativity, and learning. The best games teach us to think differently and see new possibilities."
Games that shaped my thinking
A formative influence on how I think about building and systems. RollerCoaster Tycoon taught systems thinking, resource management, and creative problem-solving. It's about building something from nothing, managing constraints, and creating experiences for others.
Key Lessons:
ā¢ Systems design and feedback loops ā¢ Resource management ā¢ User experience (park guests)
ā¢ Creative problem solving ā¢ Balancing constraints ā¢ Iterative improvement
ā¢ Aesthetic design ā¢ Economic simulation ā¢ Building for others' enjoyment
Exploration, puzzle-solving, and epic adventures. Zelda games masterfully blend action, puzzles, and narrative into cohesive worlds that reward curiosity and persistence.
What Makes It Great:
ā¢ Environmental storytelling ā¢ Puzzle design and problem-solving ā¢ Sense of discovery and exploration ā¢ Progression and mastery
Tight game design, creative mechanics, and pure joy of movement. Mario games are masterclasses in game feel and iterative design.
Design Excellence:
ā¢ Precise, responsive controls ā¢ Creative level design ā¢ Accessibility with depth ā¢ Innovation within constraints
Games about creating and managing systems
SimCity, Cities: Skylines, and similar games that let you design and manage complex urban systems.
ā¢ Urban planning ā¢ Infrastructure design ā¢ Resource management
Games that simulate complex systems and let you shape worlds, from The Sims to management simulations.
ā¢ Systems thinking ā¢ Emergent gameplay ā¢ Creative expression
Games that challenge strategic thinking and long-term planning through economic and tactical gameplay.
ā¢ Strategic planning ā¢ Decision making ā¢ Optimization
Plans to create interactive experiences
Planning to develop small, browser-based games that combine technical skills with game design creativity. The web is an accessible platform for interactive experiences.
Potential Projects:
ā¢ Educational mini-games about AI/ML concepts ā¢ Tycoon-style management games ā¢ Puzzle games and brain teasers ā¢ Interactive storytelling experiences
Leveraging modern web technologies to create engaging, performant browser games without requiring downloads or installations.
Technologies:
ā¢ HTML5 Canvas and WebGL for graphics ā¢ JavaScript/TypeScript for game logic ā¢ Modern frameworks (React, etc.) ā¢ Web Audio API for sound
The educational power of interactive experiences
Games excel at teaching systems thinking - understanding how parts interact to create emergent behavior. This skill transfers directly to software engineering and problem-solving.
Games provide safe spaces to experiment, fail, and learn. The best games make failure interesting and educational rather than punishing.
World-building games especially encourage creative expression and design thinking. They're tools for imagination made interactive.
What makes games meaningful
Great games are easy to learn but hard to master. They welcome new players while providing endless depth for those who want to dive deeper. Nintendo excels at this balance.
The best games give players meaningful choices where different strategies are viable. It's not about finding the one "correct" path but about expressing your own approach.
Games should make players feel empowered and in control. Even when following a story, players should feel their actions matter and shape the experience.
The most effective learning is often playful. Good educational games don't feel like lessons - they make learning enjoyable and self-directed.