Episode 3: Dr. Stefan Hall, Chair of the Game Design Department

In Episode 3 of Not 4 Credit, Mims and Heather talk to Dr. Stefan Hall, chair of the Game Design program at High Point University, for a conversation that explores the creativity, storytelling, and culture behind games.Dr. Hall takes us inside the world of tabletop role-playing games—especially Dungeons & Dragons—and explains how games that began as war simulations evolved into collaborative storytelling experiences built on imagination, strategy, and character development. Along the way, he shares how being introduced to D&D in a gifted program as a kid helped spark a lifelong passion that eventually led him into game design, research, and teaching.As part of the show-and-tell tradition of the podcast, Dr. Hall brings a meaningful artifact from his collection: a well-used D20 die that represents countless gaming sessions and the creativity at the heart of the gaming community. The conversation also touches on the evolution of the gaming industry, the resurgence of tabletop games in popular culture, and the many ways gaming connects storytelling, marketing, and community.This episode also introduces a fun twist for listeners—an Easter egg hidden within the conversation. If you catch the clue, keep an eye on our social channels to see if you guessed it correctly.Whether you’re a longtime gamer or just curious about how games shape creativity and collaboration, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people and ideas behind the rapidly growing world of game design.