Framing the Future of Business Simulation and Experiential Learning

Abstract

"Last month, when the Western Academy of Management met in Las Vegas, I had another opportunity to visit the gamesters’ Mecca. As in all previous visits, I continued to marvel at the capacity crowds publicly and prodigiously betting up to $2000 on the turn of a card, a wheel or a roll of the ivories. Although nearly everybody loses, and quite a few go broke in Las Vegas, the players’ zest is unmatchable because they are all playing games. But what kind of games are they playing? Baccarat, 21, craps, roulette—all elementary, super-simple. Not a single Las Vegas game uses an algorithm or requires a computer. This caused me to reflect: If so many supposedly sane people can get so much joy even while tossing away their hard- earned cash, then these simple games of chance must have some sort of hidden appeal that we, as game-designers, must find and emulate. If only we could inject a small portion of the Las Vegas formula into our own games, how much more zestful, productive and profitable would be our endeavors. If we could do this, then I see a splendid future for ABSEL. "