NEWS
NEWS
Explore my latest blog posts and stay updated with recent developments in my career below:
NWU students shine in 48-hour Arcademia Game Jam
NWU students excelled in the 48-hour Arcademia Global Game Jam, earning top honours with IP Conflict, a fast-paced shooter praised for its polish and creativity. The jam fostered global collaboration, hands-on learning, and lasting connections through the power of play.
NWU & University of Lincoln bring game-based learning to life with Arcademia
NWU and the University of Lincoln have joined forces to launch Arcademia in South Africa — a game-based learning initiative featuring student-designed games on custom arcade cabinets. The project promotes creativity, collaboration, and inclusive digital education across all NWU campuses.
The Longing That Binds Us: Conatus, Belonging, & the Sacred
What do people actually want? It isn’t wealth. Not truly. Nor fame or leisure. These are shadows cast by a deeper yearning—to belong, to matter, to be. We are not creatures of contentment; we are creatures of conatus: the inner drive to persist, to strive, to shape a life that is unmistakably ours. In a world of hollow pleasures and flickering idols, what we seek is not comfort but meaning—not distraction but home.
Head Games: Key Concepts & Distinctions in Learning Through Play
In the ever-expanding landscape of educational innovation, terms like game-based learning, gamification, and serious games are often used interchangeably—yet each carries distinct pedagogical implications. This article disentangles eight key concepts in game-enhanced learning, offering clear definitions, critiques, and use cases across K–12, higher education, corporate training, and healthcare. From immersive XR experiences to persuasive and educational games, it calls for intentional, well-aligned design that respects both learner context and instructional goals. Play, it argues, is not a gimmick—it’s a powerful, rigorous vehicle for meaningful learning when thoughtfully applied.
When the Loot Lies: Dark Design Patterns in ARPGs
In the evolving landscape of Action Role-Playing Games, not all design serves the player. Diablo IV exemplifies how modern ARPGs use dark design patterns—loot systems that mimic slot machines, boss fights padded for engagement metrics, visual clutter that obscures learning, and seasonal resets that exploit FOMO. These systems don’t empower; they entrap. This critique exposes how such mechanics mirror broader digital ecosystems built on attention extraction. In response, it calls for a shift toward human-centred design—one that respects player agency, fosters clarity, and prioritises meaningful engagement over compulsive loops.
Systems Dreaming in Colour: AI Co-Creation & the Redistribution of Thought
The Cuco animation project reveals how AI reshapes creativity — not by replacing artists, but by redistributing cognitive effort. By offloading repetitive tasks, artists focused on deeper storytelling, spatial design, and aesthetic intent. Co-creation with AI reframes creativity itself: a distributed, iterative process where thought extends beyond the mind into systems, tools, and dynamic collaboration.
When Matter Thinks: Consciousness, Sentience, and the Fire Within
What if consciousness is not sacred, but systemic? Not magical, but mechanical? In this philosophical exploration, I unpack consciousness through a materialist lens — tracing its emergence from qualia to ego, and extending the implications to artificial minds, education, and ethics. As AI systems grow more complex and students learn alongside them, we must confront not only what these systems do, but what they mean — and what we risk forgetting if we stop expecting depth, humility, and feeling from ourselves. Consciousness, in all its richness, is not a gift from elsewhere. It is matter, aware of itself. And that is miracle enough.
Prosper x Oakmeade Community Project (2025)
Our team recently visited Oakmeade Prep and Academy to launch a dynamic three-phase community collaboration featuring our educational card game, Prosper. Teachers enthusiastically play-tested the base version, kicking off a project that explores physical and digital game-based learning, culminating in the creation of a tailored Open Educational Resource.
TOP INVENTOR AWARD (2024)
I’m honoured to receive the Top Inventor Award at the 2024 NWU Excellence Awards! My wife, Robyn, accepted on my behalf as I visited the University of Lincoln. Proud to share this accolade with my brother, Prof. Byron Bunt. Our game-based learning journey has only begun!
FACULTY TEACHING AWARD (2024)
I'm thrilled to share that I’ve been awarded the Faculty Teaching Award at North-West University, recognizing my commitment to innovative, student-centered teaching. My approach integrates game-based learning, AI, and role-specific tasks to bridge theory with practical skills essential for the tech industry. This award celebrates the impact of active, collaborative learning, and I look forward to continuing to inspire and equip students for dynamic, impactful careers.
Workready - A step closer to ready
On 10 October 2024, students and staff from North-West University gathered in Potchefstroom to playtest the WorkReady board game. Praised for its ease of learning and thought-provoking gameplay, participants offered valuable feedback to improve the game’s balance and challenge structure. The development team is now revisiting the prototype, incorporating suggestions, and preparing for the next round of testing. WorkReady continues to progress as an engaging tool for developing 21st-century skills and professional attributes.
EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON GAME-BASED LEARNING - ECGBL (2024)
From October 1 to 5, 2024, I presented two papers at the European Conference on Games-Based Learning in Aarhus, Denmark, exploring serious games for citation skills and academic integrity education. We also presented a poster, engaging with global researchers on game-based learning.
2024 - YEAR IN REVIEW
For my career, 2024 was the most eventful and rewarding year to date. This year has been absolutely phenomenal, from creating games that have achieved worldwide renown to incorporating AI into my teaching practices and improving course content. My professional experience includes developing new methods of instruction, directing scholarly partnerships, and making a difference in the world via public service and academic inquiry. I have successfully navigated the responsibilities of leading, supervising, and engaging with the industry all while pushing the limits of educational technology. Knowing that this year's efforts have resulted in significant progress for myself, my students, and the community at large fills me with a tremendous feeling of pride and achievement.
Keynote Address - Faculty of Humanities Spring School
On 17 September 2024, Dr. Lance Bunt spoke at the FHUM Spring School in Parys, addressing the transformative role of AI in education. Together with Byron, he emphasised fostering creativity, critical thinking, and digital literacy through AI integration. Their session highlighted AI's potential to revolutionise learning, while addressing ethical, environmental, and societal implications, urging educators to rethink the future of teaching.