Learning that feels like play with Anna Wright
What if workplace learning felt less like a checkbox… and more like play?
Introduction
This week, we’re joined by Anna Wright, Talent Development Consultant and founder of Honeywright Academy, for a conversation about why game-based learning is one of the most powerful, and maybe most misunderstood, tools in people development.Together with Sophie Drummond, our Client Services Director at TheTruthWorks, Anna breaks down why traditional training fails, how to design learning that actually sticks, and why play has always been at the heart of how humans grow.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why most training is forgotten the moment people return to their desk
- What game-based learning really means (hint: it’s not VR headsets)
- How autonomy, mastery and purpose drive human motivation
- Why adding simple narrative and character brings learning to life
- Practical ways to introduce game-based principles — even with no budget
- How to design learning that builds confidence, collaboration and real behaviour change
Game-based design is often just effective learning design. Anything where you're considering how people are motivated, how to get them active and engaging - that's instructional design 101.
Chapters
00:00 - Anna's background and how gaming met learning and development
01:13 - The psychology behind why games work - self-determination theory
03:24 - The dopamine hit - and the dark side of game design
05:32 - Why game-based approaches work so well for hard-to-reach audiences
08:15 - Is gamification expensive? Why the term can be misleading
10:13 - Scaling game-based design from workshops to full talent systems
12:41 - The power of storytelling and putting characters at the centre
14:52 - Using game-based design to unite teams through change
16:16 - Why we stop learning through play - and why that needs to change
17:02 - How to get buy-in from senior leaders - sneak the broccoli in
18:26 - Where to start - the four types of fun
20:42 - When gamification becomes a gimmick - and how to avoid it
22:27 - The core gameplay loop and how to build it into learning design
24:15 - Hot take - game-based design is just great learning design
27:06 - Practical tools and where to get started today
29:37 - Does game-based design make measurement easier?
Key Take-aways
- Game-based design isn't about adding points and badges - it's about being intentional. Tacking on mechanics without purpose is the fastest way to lose your learners' trust.
- Start with the problem, not the game. Once you're clear on the behavior or skill you're trying to build, then ask whether game-based design is the right tool to get you there.
- You don't need a big budget or fancy tech to get started. Some of the most effective game-based learning is low-tech - it's the design principles that do the heavy lifting.
- Our brains never stopped learning through play - we just told ourselves they did. A safe space to fail and try again is often more powerful than any formal training programme.
- The best game-based design is just great learning design. If you're thinking about how people are motivated, how to get them active and how to build real skills - you're already doing it.
- Don't wait until you can do it perfectly. Start small, experiment, validate - and then scale what works.
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