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When I was in school, I loved history, but I struggled with traditional learning methods, particularly the endless reading of dusty textbooks filled with dates and facts. Despite this, my grades were surprisingly high. Why was that? I came to realize that gaming was, for me, a much more effective way to learn history. Through games like Assassin’s Creed, Hearts of Iron, and Rome: Total War (and many more..), I found myself deeply immersed in historical settings, where I could strategize, explore, and experience key moments firsthand. This hands-on approach not only boosted my understanding but also helped me achieve better grades. It made me wonder: why isn’t history taught this way in schools? In today's classrooms, students are facing more challenges than ever before—over 1 million children in England alone struggle with learning and engagement. Many have difficulty focusing, retaining information, and staying motivated. Studies show that traditional methods are falling short in meeting the needs of today’s learners. So why not use tools that kids are already passionate about, like video games, to make learning more interactive and engaging? Discovery mode: a new way to look at game-based learning Through my work at GameGraded, where I research skills through gaming, I came across Games for Change (G4C)— an organization that uses video games to enhance education. G4C uses games to teach real-world topics and make learning more fun and interactive. They focus on important subjects like history and social issues, helping students learn in a more engaging way. I was especially interested to learn that G4C used Assassin’s Creed in their educational programs. The game’s historical accuracy and immersive experience let students explore the past in a way traditional lessons can’t, making learning more exciting and effective. Assassin’s Creed is an action-adventure game series known for its rich historical settings, where players take on the role of skilled assassins navigating major historical events. While the game offers a deep dive into history, it also features a lot of combat, which I thought might not seem ideal for a classroom setting with younger children. However, that’s when I discovered the existence of Discovery Mode. This feature allows players to explore historical settings without combat or missions, focusing purely on learning about history. It offers an immersive way to experience historical cities, meet famous figures, and witness key moments in history, making it a powerful educational tool.  In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey's Discovery Mode by Ubisoft, players can explore the origins of democracy in Athens and learn about its historical significance. Source: Ubisoft Exploring Ancient Civilizations What makes Discovery Mode so unique is that it lets players explore historical locations at their own pace. Whether it’s ancient Egypt, Greece, or medieval Paris, you can take guided tours, interact with NPCs, and discover what life was really like back then. You’ll learn about the daily routines of the people—how they dressed, what they ate, and even how they communicated through language. In ancient Egypt, you can hear reconstructed Ancient Egyptian spoken by actors, thanks to linguists and Egyptologists. In Ptolemaic Alexandria, the streets are alive with conversations in Ancient Greek, voiced by Greek actors using accurate grammar and pronunciation. As you walk through these ancient worlds, you’ll also encounter scrolls in their languages and learn what kind of food people ate. It’s like stepping into a living history book where you can truly experience the past in a fun and educational way. “History is our playground” - Ubisoft during the opening of the announcement of 2012’s Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation presentation. Ubisoft goes to incredible lengths to make Assassin’s Creed as historically accurate and immersive as possible. They pay close attention to every detail—from the architecture of ancient cities to how people dressed and interacted. In titles like Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Ubisoft worked closely with historians and experts to ensure accuracy. A standout example is the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral is so expertly recreated that it feels like you’re actually walking through medieval Paris. Level designer Caroline Miousse spent two years building it, capturing every stone, window, and intricate detail. It's not just a building in the game; players can explore it inside and out, experiencing it with breathtaking architecture. Assassin's Creed isn’t just about walking through old cities or seeing how the common people lived—it’s also about experiencing key moments and meeting famous people who changed history. In the game, you can actually talk to figures like Cleopatra, learning about ancient Egypt and what it was like to be a leader back then. You can also chat with Socrates and dive into his ideas that shaped the way we think today. Instead of just reading about these historical figures, you get to interact with them and understand why they did what they did, which is something no textbook can really teach you. A more effective way to learn Learning history is essential for all of us—it helps us understand the world we live in, learn from past mistakes, and appreciate different cultures and perspectives. But let’s be honest, traditional history lessons can sometimes feel dull and disconnected from real life. That’s where game-based learning, like Assassin’s Creed’s Discovery Mode, changes the old- and maybe outdated school’s curriculum. Game-based learning goes beyond just making history fun--it pulls players into the world of the past, making it feel alive and relevant. Research shows that interactive learning through games can boost cognitive skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving (Alotaibi, 2024). By stepping into historical settings, interacting with key figures, and experiencing events firsthand, players develop a deeper connection to history than they would from just reading a textbook. These immersive experiences spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and create emotional ties to the past, making history not just something to learn but something to live.  In Assassin’s Creed Origins Discovery Mode by Ubisoft, players can explore the revolutionary farming techniques the ancient Egyptians invented. Source: Ubisoft A Future of Learning with Games I now know that games can make history feel real and engaging. While not all lessons can be taught through games, using them in education can help students retain knowledge, stay motivated, and develop important skills. Discovery Mode shows how blending education with interactive experiences can make learning both fun and meaningful. If you’re curious about the soft skills you’ve developed through playing Assassin’s Creed, why not try our GameGraded test? Discover the skills you’ve gained from gaming--by gaming! Will the new Assassin’s Creed also have Discovery mode? On March 20th, the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released, transporting players to 16th-century Japan. This time, you’ll step into the role of a shinobi, navigating the turbulent era of the samurai. In a recent interview from January, Ubisoft revealed that Discovery Mode is not currently planned for Shadows, but they are open to adding it in the future. Given the success of previous educational modes, there's hope that players will one day be able to explore feudal Japan in an even more immersive, historical way. Until then, we can keep discovering history in the most immersive way possible—by playing. Bibliography Alotaibi, M. S. (2024). Game-based learning in early childhood education: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1307881
Thompson, E. (2025, 2 januari). Over 1.5 million children in England struggle with learning engagement, new report reveals — EdTech Innovation Hub. EdTech Innovation Hub. https://www.edtechinnovationhub.com/news/over-1-million-children-in-england-struggle-with-learning-engagement Since the original Modern Warfare 3 dropped in 2011, I’ve spent nearly every year diving into Call of Duty campaigns and teaming up with friends to score record-high kills, with zombie-mode marathons stretching into the early hours. So, when the 21st game of this franchise launched last week, I knew I’d be putting hours and hours into the campaign, even more in Multiplayer and yes: several more in Zombies.  Image credit: Treyarch Campaign: Old faces, New genres Jumping into the campaign felt like a reunion, with familiar faces from the Black Ops series stepping back into the spotlight after a few years. It’s not just nostalgia though. This time it’s all about adapting to fresh and unexpected challenges. From the all-new omni-movement (more on that in the Multiplayer section) to unpredictable mission genres, Black Ops 6 keeps you on your toes. Without spoiling too much, I’ll say that three consecutive missions felt like entirely different games, and in the best way possible. One minute, I was thrown into an open-world-like map, which felt like the movie Black Hawk Dawn; the next I was plunged into a Bioshock-like horror setting which is a major win for a horror fan like me. And if that wasn’t wild enough, the third mission turned into a casino heist, à la Ocean’s Eleven, with a stealth twist that had me sneaking and cheating my way through high-stakes action.  Image credit: Treyarch Multiplayer: A Faster, Wilder Experience with Omni-Movement When it comes to Call of Duty, the heart of the action is almost always multiplayer. Black Ops 6 expands on this action by introducing a new omni-movement system. Forget just sprinting and sliding forward. Now, players can sprint, slide, or even dolphin dive (yes, flopping on your belly like a dolphin) in any direction, making multiplayer feel far more fast-paced. This new movement transforms every match, with players running, sliding, and diving from any direction, adding a new level of unpredictability that you as a player have to adapt to. For those like me who’ve been playing CoD for years, this is a welcome twist that keeps gameplay fresh and challenging. Black Ops 6 also introduces a new game mode called “Kill Order,” and it’s already become one of my favorites. In this mode, one player on each team is designated the High-Value Target (HVT), with extra health and a higher point value for the enemy team, making the goal of the mode to take out the enemy HVT while keeping yours alive. What I love about “Kill Order” is how it appeals to both primary online shooter player types: those who go for immediate kills (the results-oriented type), and those who prefer to take the objectives (the goal-oriented type). By combining both styles, this mode rewards strategic thinking. It blends fast-paced killing with a focus on taking objectives, which is a refreshing alternative to the usual “Team Deathmatch” where all you need to do is shoot on sight.  Image credit: Treyarch Zombies: A Test of Survival, Strategy, and Teamwork Last but definitely not least is my beloved Call of Duty Zombies mode, and let me tell you: Black ops 6 does not disappoint. In this mode, up to four players are dropped into an environment overrun with relentless zombies where the goal is either to survive as long as possible or to complete complex puzzle steps scattered across the map. These are known as Easter Eggs. For anyone who has not engaged with these Easter Eggs before, they are more than just puzzles. They are layered challenges that require teamwork, problem-solving, and a fair bit of nerve under pressure. Playing Zombies, and more specifically the Easter Eggs, isn’t just fun; it trains and develops real-life skills that mirror the 21st-century skills valued in today’s workplace. First up, problem-solving: each Easter Egg has multiple steps that test everything from memory (often referred to as Simon Says within zombies) to math skills (high school teachers were right about it being useful in later life). All the while, zombies are closing in, adding pressure and urgency to every puzzle. Communication and collaboration are critical too; many challenges require teammates to share symbols or numbers to solve steps together. If a player goes down, the whole team must quickly adapt and rally to get them back in action. Lastly, our zombies runs have taught me leadership and teamwork in real-time. One player typically takes charge, coordinating tasks while the rest of us focus on the execution of them, a scenario that is surprisingly close to real-life work situations (minus the zombies of course). For me, Call of Duty: Zombies has always been more than just playing together. It’s a true team effort under high-stress stakes, since going down means losing several of hours of progress. Playing with friends always gives us the thrill of achieving something big together and honing skills that we’ll also use off-screen. Conclusion: Looking forward
In conclusion, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 revives the excitement of the franchise while introducing fresh gameplay elements. The innovative omni-movement mechanic, diverse campaign missions, and the exciting “Kill Order” mode challenge newcomers and veterans to adapt their strategies. Plus, the return of Zombies delivers a thrilling mix of teamwork and difficulty that fans love. As I immerse myself in this latest installment, I’m reminded of the countless hours spent battling with friends and creating unforgettable memories. Black Ops 6 isn’t just a game; it’s a celebration of what makes Call of Duty so enduring, and I can’t wait to see what adventures await in the life cycle of Black Ops 6. 3 minute read Yes we are! Here it is, the game where you actually play through the game as the legend herself. Now you can truly say you're playing The Legend of Zelda. I've been a fan of Nintendo and Zelda since my childhood. The first Zelda games I encountered came bundled in a Limited Edition Mario Kart Double Dash case. On the outside of the case, you only see the Mario Kart racers—nothing indicated the extra disc where you could play a total of THREE Zelda games. Since I was still too young, my sister was the first to play the first game: Zelda Ocarina of Time. And wow, that took a lot of time. Blood, sweat, and tears in every temple. Both for my sister and for me. But ever since then, I haven't been able to let go of the Zelda games, and I've always watched them with great enjoyment (and eventually played them myself, of course). In this blog, I’ll tell you how the storyline of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom begins, how certain game mechanics work, and which skills you’ll use as a gamer to play the game. Listen well, and let me navigate you through this blog: The game starts off with a chibi-like figure in a blue hood. Zelda-gamers immediately recognize Link through the display of the Master Sword and his typical green tunic that the game teasingly shows. You actually start the game playing as Link. You have the maximum amount of health and high-end fighting items as if you just completed a previous Zelda Game. The game guides you towards a room where you find the archenemy of Link: Ganon. Yes, you start the game with a fight with the usual end boss! But there is a big twist. After you defeat Ganon, he explodes into a purple-like substance which swallows Link! But not before he’s able to shoot an arrow at the contraption that had Zelda trapped. After that, playing as Zelda, you break through the contraption and the actual legend begins.  Image credit: Nintendo The purple-like substance has taken over parts of Hyrule and even swallows certain NPC’s in the game. They don’t always disappear. For example, after being swallowed by the weird goo, the King of Hyrule returns in the form of an evil echo. He blames Zelda for the destruction of Hyrule, has her captured and threatens to eliminate her. In your cell you’ll get a visit from a fairy named Tri, who will be your companion throughout the game. Tri gives you a special rod that you can use to make echoes (hence the name of the game). You can select certain objects and, with help of the rod, recreate an x amount of echoes of those specific objects.  Image credit: Nintendo You have to use this to escape the prison and become a fugitive to save the Hyrule Kingdom. For the duration of the game you will use echoes in pretty much every playable minute. For example: by creating an echo of a boulder (and placing it correctly) you’re able to sink wooden crates in bodies of water to create a passage Zelda can swim through. If you echo a table or bed onto the crates, the weight isn’t enough for the crate to sink and reveal the passage. You will get stuck if you don’t think through which particular echo you need for that specific situation. Later on, when you’ve collected more echoes, you’re able to get creative with your solutions because you will have many more items to choose from. The game even allows you to echo certain enemies. When you summon echoes of them, they will actually help you by fighting off your other enemies. Sadly, the ‘when they are your enemy their power is a 10/10, when they are your friend their power is a 4/10’ comes into place here. Nevertheless it’s always handy to have extra helpers, if not with strength than with extra cuteness (the aesthetic of the game overall is very cutesy) and the feeling of companionship.  Image credit: Nintendo These features challenge the gamer to use their creativity, problem solution skills and quick thinking. A huge feature of the previous Zelda game Tears of the Kingdom was that the game offers a wide variety of solutions to given problems. In earlier games there’s a very straightforward path to your goals in the game. You need a key to enter a room. To get that key you have to defeat enemy x with the weapons you’re given. But in the particular case of Echoes of Wisdom you can utilise your echoes to defend yourself, to help you fight and much more. It gives you the opportunity to broaden your horizon in which you find solutions.
This is actually a very important skill in a lot of today’s working culture. You are expected to think of not only different solutions but different views regarding certain developments either in your company or the market your company is a part of. Everything around us changes so quickly that you have to be able to adapt and grow your own skills as well as lift your company to a higher level and continuously relevant part of society. I would be ecstatic if my employer asked me to enhance those skills further. ‘Yes! If you’ll excuse me, I will now go play Echoes of Wisdom!’ This game is a very nice, happy, low-key way of challenging your creative and problem solving skills. Just for fun or as a way to enhance your skills, I personally approve. And with that said, Tri and Hyrule are waiting on me to save Hyrule from destruction! 3 minute read  Image credit: Balatro I’ve spent almost 100 hours this year playing illegal poker, but not in the backroom of some shady establishment. I’ve kept busy with the addicting deck-building game Balatro. Over those many hours, I’ve found myself improving at strategic planning and adaptability, something I want to highlight in this blog. Gambling is for fools Balatro kicks off like luck-based poker (minus the bluffing), but quickly puts you in control, letting you shift the odds into your favor through smart strategies and adaptable playstyles. It begins with a standard deck of 52 cards (13 per suit), and you’re dealt 8 cards to form your hand. The goal is to create a combination that scores as many points as possible, but here’s where the decisions get interesting: you can choose to play between 1 and 5 cards for points or discard bad ones to draw new ones. These plays and discards are limited so you should always ask yourself, are these cards good enough to play? Each round, or as the game calls them “blind” (akin to poker), you have to beat an ever-increasing score, if you don’t you have to start over all again.  Image credit: Balatro The only card I need At this point, you might be thinking, “This just sounds like poker, except with discards.”. But now comes the part where things get wild, the “illegal” part, I mentioned before. Between rounds, you will be sent into a shop that sells card packs, jokers (will get back to that in a little while), and other items that will help you. These card packs allow you to get either new cards or do things with current cards that change them. To give a quick illustration, imagine yourself buying a new Ace of spades, and adding it to your preexisting deck. Immediately thereafter you will find a special card (called a “tarot” in-game) that lets you recolor up to three cards into spades. If you’re lucky enough to have three non-spade aces in hand, you can convert them into spades. This leaves you with the possibility to draw 5 aces of spades at the same time, which is simultaneously a 5 of a kind (which for the poker connoisseurs is an impossible draw in itself) but also a flush (all cards are of the same color)! Talk about bending the rules. I don’t share your greed This shop mechanic is where the game really tested my strategic planning and resource management. After each round, you’re rewarded with in-game currency that can be spent in the shop. However, there’s also an interest system at play, the more money you save at the end of a round, the more you earn in the next. This creates a constant dilemma: should I spend the money now to ensure that I can push through the next round? Or should I save the money and risk going into the next round with a weaker deck, hoping to earn more later and carry me through multiple rounds at a time?  Image credit: Balatro And don’t forget the Joker! But perhaps the most interesting mechanic is the 150 unique jokers, each of which can dramatically shape your strategy. You can hold up to five separate jokers, and the key to success is making sure they synergize. For example, there’s a joker that increases your multiplier for every spade card that you play, and another that increases your score for each ace that you play. Combine these with your 5 aces of spades, and you’re looking at a game-breaking combo. That is, until…  Image credit: Balatro Going with the flow As can be seen in the screenshot above, in three rounds there is a so called “Boss blind” that debuffs every spade card, which means that they do not give any score. Would I continue with my “unbeatable” strategy of 5 aces of spades, I will definitely not make it through, which means starting all over again (remind me why do I like roguelikes so much?). But here’s where adaptability comes in, since the game gives me a heads-up on upcoming Boss Blinds, I can pivot my strategy if I’m quick and a bit lucky. Maybe I can find the tarot card that lets me recolor those spades into diamonds, or, if the stars align, do I find the Legendary Joker that cancels out the effect of the boss blind altogether. Learning to adapt on the fly has been a big part of my growth while playing.  Image credit: Balatro Pushing up the ante
And like any great repayable game, Balatro keeps pushing me to improve these skills, especially at higher difficulties. For instance, some Jokers can’t be sold or removed in harder modes, which forces me to think even further ahead. Taking a joker which helps me in the short-term, with plans to sell it later isn’t an option anymore. Now I have to think whether I can make this specific joker work for the rest of the game. Multiple of such modifiers were added while climbing the difficulty ladder, making sure the game stays engaging and challenging, keeping me hooked. After nearly 100 hours of gameplay, I’ve not only improved my strategic skills, but also discovered the satisfaction of adapting on the spot and beating a Boss Blind that was on its way to end my run. 2 minute read When EA announced their new yearly FIFA game back in the beginning of July, they revealed plans for significant updates, particularly in the Career Mode feature. We at GameGraded were immediately intrigued. As passionate gamers and advocates for the idea that gaming goes beyond entertainment, we couldn’t help but wonder: what are these changes, and do they offer new opportunities to develop valuable gaming skills? In this blog, we’ll explore both the new features and whether these additions help players learn and enhance skills that go beyond the screen, so you know exactly what to expect from FIFA’s latest Career Mode.  Image Credit: EA Sports In Career Mode, players now have the exciting option to either manage a team or step into the shoes of a self-made, fictional character. When creating your character, you can craft their unique storyline—will they be the son or daughter of a legendary footballer, or will they start from the bottom, rising through the ranks to lead their team to championship glory? As you progress through your self-made storyline, you'll face challenges that can be approached in different ways. Each decision carries significant weight, impacting not only the direction of the story but also the playstyle and the overall performance of your team. In Manager Mode, you'll find yourself dealing with more real-life scenarios that add complexity and realism to the game. From staffing decisions to handling injuries, the responsibilities of a manager are more immersive than ever. One of the key updates is the FC IQ system, which makes every footballer more complex, and allows for more complex tactical options. Footballers now have individual skills you can develop—like passing, shooting, and defending—and it’s up to you to ensure you're maximizing their potential. Training and coaching are essential, and with the new Rush 5v5 mode, young players can quickly gain experience, helping you shape future stars from your academy. Image Credit: EA Sports Scouting has also taken a leap forward, allowing you to search for new talent across more than 160 countries, and narrow down specific roles, making it easier to find the perfect fit for your team. Managing player morale is another crucial aspect, with the introduction of a new morale system, Press conferences now have weight, where your responses to interviewers impact player confidence and performance. Finding the right balance between critique and praise will be key to maintaining a happy, high-performing squad. These updates make managing your team more interesting and strategic, giving you new ways to help your team succeed. The underlying theme with all these changes is that choices matter. Whether it's tweaking your tactics mid-match or deciding how to manage your players' morale, every choice impacts the outcome. This constant decision-making sharpens your ability to think strategically, much like how this article shows that gaming boosts decision-making skills and cognitive flexibility. In FIFA’s Career Mode, you’re not just playing a game—you’re practicing real-life skills like multitasking, problem-solving, strategic planning, and leadership. What’s refreshing is that these are skills you couldn't learn from FIFA before, making this experience even more engaging and valuable. These are the same abilities that can help you navigate challenges in both your personal and professional life. If this blog got you interested in learning more about your gaming skills, why not try your own GameGraded assessment? It's a fun way to dive deeper into your gaming assessment where we translate your gaming experience in to personal profile, which you can use to learn more about your own gaming skills. Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll take a deeper dive into Balatro. Follow us here to stay updated: |
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iamprogrez Holding, CoC: 54213274, The Netherlands - Europe, [email protected], www.iamprogrez.com
iamprogrez Holding, CoC: 54213274, The Netherlands - Europe, [email protected], www.iamprogrez.com