What is Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)

This chapter begins with a self-exploration of the evolution of the author from using one-shot games as a high school English teacher to designing synchronous game-based courses as an assistant professor to creating asynchronous course-based games as an associate professor. The pros and cons of each are discussed with a focus on examining the pedagogical theories that support game-based teaching. Then, readers take a deep dive into ways to create asynchronous course-based games while avoiding common pitfalls. The chapter concludes with an exploration of how asynchronous course-based games can help create equity by providing students with the flexibility to learn at their own pace and on their own time and the ability for students to determine their own grades through the revision cycle.