Team
BYRON J BUNT - Learning Theories & Educational Game Evaluation
Prof. Byron J Bunt is an Associate Professor at North-West University and a scholar in Self-Directed Learning. As Deputy Director of the School of Commerce and Social Sciences in Education, he explores Cognitive Education and Game-Based Learning (GBL) to enhance critical and creative thinking. His projects include Dogs of War, a trading card game fostering self-directed learning, and OER-driven board games for history education. He also studied Habitica, a mobile role-playing tool for historical thinking. Through research and game-based innovation, Bunt continues to transform learning, ensuring students engage meaningfully with history and education.
GORDON MATTHEW - Accessibility & User Experience (UX) in Serious Games
Dr. Gordon Matthew is a Y2-rated NRF researcher and Research Technologist at North-West University’s School of Languages. His work in multimedia learning, game-based learning, and cognitive load theory integrates eye-tracking methods to enhance education. He leads serious game projects, including FEMS INC. (a business simulation), CiteSaga (a referencing board game), and Evermore (a counselling tool for emotional intelligence). His UX research optimizes game accessibility and usability, ensuring inclusive, immersive learning experiences. Through innovation, Matthew advances game-based education, making learning more interactive and engaging.
LANCE R BUNT - Game Production, Art, Learning Experience (LX), & Player Experience (PX)
Dr. Lance Bunt is a senior lecturer at NWU specialising in Game Production, Art, Learning Experience (LX) and Player Experience (PX). His expertise spans game development pipelines, visual storytelling, and engagement strategies, with a focus on mechanics balancing and narrative-driven learning in games for learning. His projects include WorkReady, a career-preparedness game, CiteSaga, a referencing adventure, and Dogs of War, a historical strategy card game. He also develops Rollknow, Evermore, Prosper, Renewable Rangers, Dred, and Startracer, each designed to blend education with interactive storytelling.
VERUSCHKA PELSER-CARSTENS - Instructional Design & Pedagogical Innovation
Prof. Veruschka Pelser-Carstens is a professor in the School of Accounting Sciences at North-West University, South Africa. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Eastern Finland and specialises in innovative teaching and learning alternatives beyond traditional methods. An award-winning educator, she serves as the educational representative of the South African Accounting Association. Her research focuses on accountancy education, serious game development, and instructional design, leading interdisciplinary projects that explore game-based learning models. A recognised scholar, she has received best paper awards and contributes actively to peer review and academic publishing, advancing pedagogical innovation in accounting education.
KIM MATTHEW - Narrative Development & Writing Consultant
Kim Matthew is an academic writing tutor and freelance editor with a pedagogical background, currently based at North-West University’s Vanderbijlpark Campus. She is a registered member of the Professional Editors’ Guild South Africa and has a deep passion for creative writing, storytelling, and narrative development. Her expertise in story structure, world-building, and character development played a key role in shaping the narrative of CiteSaga, ensuring a compelling, lore-rich experience that seamlessly integrates referencing and academic integrity into its fantasy world. Through her editorial and narrative contributions, she enhances engagement, immersion, and storytelling in educational game design.
