Technology is often touted as “easy to use.” But is that really the case? Or is it more accurate to say that it is “easy to learn to use”? For the team behind Election Lab, the difference is clear—and that’s what makes the game so compelling.
Our journey with the Election Lab is a story of continuous improvement. We’re constantly refining the game’s design, adding new features, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It has been a game for many years in making. But most importantly, we’ve kept one core principle in mind: Election Lab is designed to be easy to learn, but not necessarily easy to master. The beauty of it lies in its complexity, which emerges only as you dive deeper into the game mechanics and strategies. And the best part? The learning curve is smooth and intuitive, ensuring players quickly grasp the gameplay without frustration.
The April 23rd ELO Event: A Night of Surprises
After the exhilarating April 16th Election Lab event, we were all ready for the next round of Election Lab Online (ELO) action on April 23rd. It was another opportunity to showcase the game’s evolution, and we couldn’t wait to see how the new features, maps, and strategies would play out.
The night before the event, I was asked to cover an evening shift at the hospital. It’s something I enjoy doing whenever I can. On this particular occasion, I agreed so that my colleague, who had just returned from a trip to Croatia, could catch the Lakers game—a team he’s an avid fan of. Working the night shift at the hospital is never dull, especially when the emergency room is overflowing with patients. Beds were scarce, and the ER hallway was crowded with patients awaiting treatment. By the time I finished my shift, it was well past 2:30 AM. It was exhausting, but I loved the fast-paced, rewarding work.
Despite the emotional toll that night shifts can take, I was energized to participate in the event the next day. Our team had worked tirelessly over the past few weeks—checking code, refining game features, and even adding two new election years for players to explore. We were ready.
As the team prepared the Zoom setup and ensured the technology worked smoothly, the excitement in the virtual room grew. Old faces reappeared, and new participants joined the fray. David, our charismatic host, welcomed everyone and gave a quick introduction to the game to newcomers.
And then, the competition began.
The Game Begins: The 2024 Election Battle
The first round was intense. Players were tasked with securing 270 electoral votes to win the 2024 presidential election. The matchups were fierce. It was clear from the get-go that no one was going down without a fight. On the other hand, some of us enjoyed spectating and soaking in many ups and downs. Like in real presidential elections.
One of the most intense battles unfolded over North Carolina—a pivotal swing state that demanded both strategic thinking but also multiple dice rolls before a winner finally emerged. The suspense was real: no one could predict the outcome until the very end. It was a powerful reminder of the uncertainty that surrounds real-world elections, where shifts can happen at any moment. The only way to truly grasp it is to dive in. To move with it. To join the dance. And that’s exactly what our game allows players to do—engage fully with the dynamics of elections in a civil, friendly, and supportive environment.
Indeed, players did completely engage. They made bold moves. They abandoned some states while doubling down on others. The strategies on display were sophisticated and dynamic, showing how deep the game could get. As the match progressed, some players traded 1-vs-6 deployment strategies not once, but twice. That made them laugh with contentment and surprise.
“Stay committed to your decisions but stay flexible in your approach”. This is what we witnessed here in a way, too. Some players abandoned Michigan. Others loaded their resources on Michigan. At some point, the tension built as states like Michigan became critical to the outcome.
The races were often tight. At one point, players were tied at 261:261, and it came down to Wisconsin. After some nail-biting moves and surprise upsets, the score shot up to 261:277, and the game concluded. The emotions mirrored those of real-world elections—surprises, unexpected twists, and strategic shifts.
The Real Insight: It’s Not Easy to Use. It’s Easy to Learn
“That was fun!” – our special guest Mr. Michael Carter exclaimed. “Well actually, it was shocking to me.”
“What was shocking?”
As Mr. Carter. was getting ready to pause the game and stop the game music he shared: “I’m like Gerald Ford. I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time”. I personally love that quote. But this is a topic for another article.
Carter then continued: “It’s shocking to me how complex it was and how easy it was to fall into …. “
These are profoundly insightful words that resonated with everyone. Election Lab Game user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) were on point.
“The UX was good. It is pretty obvious when something happened or did not happen. That is good UI/UX.”
“It was complicated. Noting about this was easy or obvious. It is not easy to use. But I kept fiddling with it and it said you did this or that and I figured it out.”
In this respect, Carter said that Election Lab shares an important feature that Douglas Englebart said about Macintosh computer. “It was not easy to use, but easy to learn how to use.”
“It does not need to be obvious. Indeed, it just needs to be something that someone can learn without pain.
And this is something what you got there.”
At this very moment, Indelible Learning team’s hearts were full.
“That is huge praise.
Thank you so much.”
In reflecting on above insightful comments: the game does not hold your hand. But it does not need to. The mechanics are intuitive enough that, with a little trial and error, players can quickly understand how everything works. As Michael pointed out, “It’s designed to be easy to use, not because it’s obvious, but because it’s learnable without pain.”
What an elegant and powerful description! And deeply insightful, too.
In other words, Election Lab is the kind of game where you know the goal from the start. As a result, at every step, you know what to do. We perfected Election Lab UI/UX. As the matter of fact, we worked very hard on this! And it shows. Good UI/UX helps you do just that: know what to do at every step. On the other hand, the game challenges you to learn as well. It challenges you to adapt to your opponent’s strategy and grow as a player. You make decisions, realize your mistakes, and adjust your strategy—just like in real-world campaigns.
A New Way to Think About Civics
One of the most powerful aspects of the Election Lab is how it makes players care about the political process—especially those who might have never been interested in civics before.
As Carter pointed out, “Even if you don’t like civics… even if you don’t like math… this game makes you care. It engages you in a way that’s meaningful.”
The beauty of the game isn’t just in the mechanics; it’s in the conversations it sparks as well. Players like Tara, who lost both rounds, still found herself captivated by the experience.
“I lost both times, but it was relaxing and enjoyable overall,” she said. The emotional highs and lows of each match were just as compelling as the strategies themselves.
At the end of the event, everyone was deeply interested and stayed for a long debrief session, too. We discussed strategies, resources, and how different election years offered new challenges.
Michael emphasized the importance of reflection in the learning process:
“The debrief is critical. It’s like a teacher explaining to students what happened and why. The more you can dig into the decisions you made, the more valuable the game becomes as a learning tool.”
What’s Next for Election Lab?
As the event wrapped up, the excitement didn’t fade. David summed up the experience perfectly:
“This was one of the hardest games, but it was so much fun. I could see players discussing strategies in class and events and then coming back to the game to try new approaches.”
Indeed, this game is more than just a way to pass the time. It’s a tool that brings history and civics to life, encouraging critical thinking and strategic planning in ways that textbooks and lectures cannot.
Players were already talking about the next session:
“Let’s play another year! How about 1960?”
The game has a magnetic quality—once you play it, you want to keep coming back for more.
Election Lab: A Learning Experience Like No Other
In the end, Election Lab isn’t just about playing a game. It’s about learning, discussing, and engaging with history in an interactive, fun way. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a newcomer, the game invites you to think critically about political strategy, resource management, and the complexities of electoral systems.
What we’ve created is a powerful learning tool, one that allows players to step into the shoes of political strategists, face tough decisions, and experience the highs and lows of an election campaign. But the best part? The more you play, the more you learn—not just about the game, but about yourself and the strategies that shape the world around you.
So, what’s next?
The team is already hard at work on new features, new election years, and new ways to make the experience even more engaging. But for now, we’ll keep pushing the limits, continue learning from our players, and refining our approach—because the journey toward perfection never ends.
Key Takeaways:
- Election Lab is easy to learn but challenging to master, offering a unique blend of strategy and history.
- This game’s UI/UX is designed to be intuitive, allowing players to quickly grasp the mechanics of a complex game, without feeling overwhelmed.
- Debriefs and discussions about gameplay enhance the learning experience, encouraging players to reflect on their decisions and strategies.
- Election Lab transforms civics and history into a dynamic, interactive experience that engages players of all ages.
Want to join the next Election Lab event? Get link for May 6th or June 18th at 5 pm PT here: https://electionlab.org/
Stay tuned for other upcoming sessions, events or webinars, and get ready to dive into the world of electoral strategy like never before.
Date: April 23, 2025
Tags: Civics Education, Game-Based Learning, Elections, EdTech, Experiential Learning, Digital Games, SEL, Data Literacy, Classroom Innovation, Competition, Swing States, Electoral College, Civic Learning, Voting, Youth Voting, Presidential Elections.
Dr. Jasminka Vukanovic-Criley MD, FACP, FHM is a multiple award-winning physician, internist, hospitalist, healthcare & education innovator & Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA. She is a career mentor & advisor to numerous undergraduate, graduate & postgraduate students & faculty. As a researcher, Dr. Criley received awards from the National Institutes of Health & the U.S. Department of Education Her work focuses on creating research-driven #edtech games & digital media to improve health, civics, science education & promote healthy habits. Dr Criley is also a sought-after speaker & a founding Board member of Physician’s Weekly. She can be reached on X at @criley_md and at www.linkedin.com/in/jasminka-criley-md