The Innovation Paradox

Chris is in Toronto next week at XP Game Summit!

May 14 • Chris Bateman

2

April 2026

Patterns of Play 6: The Complexity of Ludus

April 2006: the formal constraints that turn play into games

Apr 30 • Chris Bateman

3

Patterns of Play 5: The Anarchy of Paidia

December 2005: the chaotic adventures of playing without rules

Apr 23 • Chris Bateman

4

3

Patterns of Play 4: The Challenge of Agon

March 2006: Roger Caillois and games of competition

Apr 16 • Chris Bateman

2

Patterns of Play 3: The Imagination of Mimicry

January 2006: the imaginative aspects of videogames should never be neglected

Apr 9 • Chris Bateman

2

Patterns of Play 2: The Rituals of Alea

November 2005: the role of chance in enjoyable videogame play

Apr 2 • Chris Bateman

3

March 2026

Patterns of Play 1: The Joy of Ilinx

July 2005: Speed, vertigo, and reckless destruction offer a rush like nothing else

Mar 26 • Chris Bateman

3

Patterns of Play

2005-2006: Roger Caillois' recurring patterns in how we play games

Mar 19 • Chris Bateman

4

2

February 2026

Can Robots Play Games?

It's an AI agent versus an old school FAQ in the battle to guide a player through Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance!

Feb 26 • Chris Bateman

2

Game Design Masterclass

Join the course presentation on Tuesday 26th February 2026!

Feb 19 • Chris Bateman

5

2

The Life and Times of Dungeons & Dragons (Part 3)

The final part the commercial history of the original RPG, originally posted in February 2010

Feb 5 • Chris Bateman

3

January 2026

The Life and Times of Dungeons & Dragons (Part 2)

Part two of the commercial history of the original RPG, originally posted in February 2010

Jan 29 • Chris Bateman

3