Bernie De Koven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernie De Koven
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| Born | Bernard Louis De Koven October 15, 1941 Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | March 24, 2018 (aged 76) |
| Pen name | Major Fun, General Fun |
| Occupation | Game designer, writer, humorist, fun theorist |
| Alma mater | Villanova University |
| Period | 1967–2018 |
| Notable works | The Well Played Game |
| Notable awards | 1967 Rockefeller Fellowship (playwriting) 2006 Iffil-Raynolds award |
| Spouse |
Rosanne "Rocky" Friedlander
(m. 1966) |
| Children | Shael, Elyon Avram Micah |
Bernard Louis De Koven (October 15, 1941 – March 24, 2018) was an American game designer, author, and speaker. He was also a "fun theorist," meaning he studied why and how people have fun.
He is best known for his book The Well Played Game. He also helped the New Games Foundation. Bernie De Koven was a pioneer in designing early computer games. He also ran a popular website called deepFUN.com for many years.
Contents
Exploring Fun: Bernie De Koven's Career
Early Work and The Games Preserve
In 1968, Bernie De Koven started creating a special learning plan. It was called the Interplay Curriculum for schools in Philadelphia. This plan was published in 1971.
In 1971, De Koven and his family opened The Games Preserve. This was a special place in Pennsylvania. People went there to study games and how we play.
Joining the New Games Movement
In 1975, De Koven became involved with the New Games Foundation. This group focused on creating new ways to play together.
In 1976, he designed a big event called Playday on the Parkway. This was for the city of Philadelphia's Bicentennial celebration. It was a huge day of play for everyone.
Writing The Well-Played Game
In 1978, De Koven wrote his famous book, The Well-Played Game. This book explored what makes a game truly good and enjoyable.
A magazine called BYTE said his book was "wonderful" and a "must" for anyone wanting to design games.
Designing Computer Games
In 1982, De Koven co-created a strategy game called Ricochet. It was published by Automated Simulations. A reviewer from BYTE magazine called it "the most original game I've seen this year."
That same year, De Koven was interviewed about the future of computer games. He made some amazing predictions. He said games would use motion control, like the Kinect system. He also predicted app stores where people could download games easily. He believed that online networks would make games much more available.
Later, in 2003, game design experts Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman wrote a textbook. It was called Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals. They often referred to De Koven's ideas from The Well-Played Game.
Working with Toy Companies
Bernie De Koven also helped big toy and game companies. He designed and developed new products for them.
He worked with LEGO to develop their LEGO Game System. He also designed award-winning games for companies like Ideal Toy Company, Children's Television Workshop, CBS Software, and Mattel Toys.
Later Years and Legacy
In 2011, De Koven was a main speaker at a big conference. It was the Digital Games Research Association Conference. He talked about playing well together. He shared ideas from the New Games movement and his book.
Bernie De Koven was a lifelong member of The Association for the Study of Play. This group studies how play affects our lives.
In 2017, De Koven shared that he had terminal cancer. He asked his followers to continue spreading the joy of play. He passed away on March 24, 2018, at 76 years old.
Awards and Recognition
- 2006 Ifill-Raynolds award: This award was given for his "outstanding achievement in the field of fun." It came from the North American Simulation and Gaming Association.
Books and Publications
Bernie De Koven wrote many books and publications about games and play:
- Interplay: a curriculum for elementary school children, 1971 ()
- "The Play Community" in The New Games Book, 1976 (ISBN: 0-385-12516-X)
- The Well-Played Game, 1978 (updated in 2002 and 2013) (ISBN: 978-0595217908)
- Connected Executives: A Strategic Communications Plan, 1986 (ISBN: 978-0962583407)
- Junkyard Sports, 2004 (ISBN: 978-0736052078)
- Great Games for Big Activity Balls (with Todd Strong), 2009 (ISBN: 978-0736074810)
- A Playful Path, 2013 (ISBN: 978-1490333816)
- The Infinite Playground, 2020 (with Celia Pearce and Holly Gramazio as editors) (ISBN: 0262044072)
Games and Interactive Media
Here are some of the games Bernie De Koven designed:
- Ricochet (1981): This was one of the first abstract strategy games for computers. It was released by Automated Simulations.
- Alien Garden (1982): This was one of the first computer art games. It was also released by Automated Simulations. ()
- Light Waves (1984): A computer game for Children's Computer Workshop.
- Junkyard Games (2008): A business simulation game published by HRDQ.
