Videos!?! These aren't rulebooks! Blasphemy!
...
Okay I'm just kidding, A big part of learning rules it seems these days involves how to play videos and ignoring them is a bad idea when you write your rulebook. If you have a how to play video and don't mention it right at the beginning of your rulebook, you are wasting a GREAT opportunity!
While we're at it, if your game doesn't have a how to play video, WHY DOESN'T IT HAVE A HOW TO PLAY VIDEO?!? In this age of technology there is no excuse not to. Even if it's just you and the webcam installed onto your computer, something is better then nothing right? PLUS there are lots of people on youtube who will even do them for you if you ask nicely. Instruction videos are better then any rulebook because of how the brain works.
...
Okay I'm just kidding, A big part of learning rules it seems these days involves how to play videos and ignoring them is a bad idea when you write your rulebook. If you have a how to play video and don't mention it right at the beginning of your rulebook, you are wasting a GREAT opportunity!
While we're at it, if your game doesn't have a how to play video, WHY DOESN'T IT HAVE A HOW TO PLAY VIDEO?!? In this age of technology there is no excuse not to. Even if it's just you and the webcam installed onto your computer, something is better then nothing right? PLUS there are lots of people on youtube who will even do them for you if you ask nicely. Instruction videos are better then any rulebook because of how the brain works.
Remember how a picture really is worth a thousand words? Imagine what a video is worth! We've talked about how pictures aid in memory in the past, but what about hearing something?
Our auditory memory is much weaker then our visual memory. Several studies have been done showing how people can remember pictures, the one you'll see most often was done by Standing, a scientist. Standing showed observes up to 10,000 images for a few seconds each and reported they could subsequently identify which images they had seen with 83% accuracy. WOW! Let's compare this to auditory learning. An experiment done for auditory memory that with similar had only 64 sounds to remember, only had 78% in the accuracy department, and a 20% rating for false alarms. MUCH lower.
Our auditory memory is much weaker then our visual memory. Several studies have been done showing how people can remember pictures, the one you'll see most often was done by Standing, a scientist. Standing showed observes up to 10,000 images for a few seconds each and reported they could subsequently identify which images they had seen with 83% accuracy. WOW! Let's compare this to auditory learning. An experiment done for auditory memory that with similar had only 64 sounds to remember, only had 78% in the accuracy department, and a 20% rating for false alarms. MUCH lower.
So why should we use a video that will have both auditory and visual stimulation if visual is far superior? Wouldn't this mean just having a rulebook would be the best bet? Nope!
When combining both auditory and visual stimuli memory is increased past using just one or the other. In fact, if you can also involve kinesthetics to the learning it increases as well! In the world of board games we have cards, chit, and other bits that make learning and getting familiar with a game much easier.
This is why how to play videos are vital. They provide a visual experience, and auditory experience and if done right can even get the players touching the pieces to have that kinesthetic experience so they are more likely to remember the rules. Faster and easy rule understanding leads them to enjoying your game sooner. Some people aren't tech savvy or just won't want to go online to watch the video which is fine, by why not use one of the most powerful ways you can teach a game to those who will use it?
If you are interested in really digging into the science of this, I'd suggest this awesome pdf. It's about a study done showing how combining forms of learning creates better memory then just using one or the other, and also shows that visual learning is superior to auditory as well.
One last thing, don't underestimate the power of putting a VR Code in your rulebook! They are free and easy to make, (look I made one) and are easy to tuck into a corner of your rulebook. Plus people will see them and instantly know what they are, help out your tech savvy game players! That's all for today though folks, and I want to know what is the BEST how to play video you've ever watched? Let me know below! Until next time: Every Game Deserves A Good Rulebook.
When combining both auditory and visual stimuli memory is increased past using just one or the other. In fact, if you can also involve kinesthetics to the learning it increases as well! In the world of board games we have cards, chit, and other bits that make learning and getting familiar with a game much easier.
This is why how to play videos are vital. They provide a visual experience, and auditory experience and if done right can even get the players touching the pieces to have that kinesthetic experience so they are more likely to remember the rules. Faster and easy rule understanding leads them to enjoying your game sooner. Some people aren't tech savvy or just won't want to go online to watch the video which is fine, by why not use one of the most powerful ways you can teach a game to those who will use it?
If you are interested in really digging into the science of this, I'd suggest this awesome pdf. It's about a study done showing how combining forms of learning creates better memory then just using one or the other, and also shows that visual learning is superior to auditory as well.
One last thing, don't underestimate the power of putting a VR Code in your rulebook! They are free and easy to make, (look I made one) and are easy to tuck into a corner of your rulebook. Plus people will see them and instantly know what they are, help out your tech savvy game players! That's all for today though folks, and I want to know what is the BEST how to play video you've ever watched? Let me know below! Until next time: Every Game Deserves A Good Rulebook.