In edutainment games, those elements are good. But for a smaller, structured learning game, this would be harmful in ensuring everyone is learning the same lesson
For ex, in my math game, you learn quad 1 of the grid first, then 2-4. RNG could harmfully introduce 3 before 1. Confusing weaker players

How would this connect with educational content the game is teaching?

Sure, I can imagine bringing in case studies of "here is a loot system and here are the odds of an item you want dropping. What is the expected amount of attempts you'll have to make until you get the item." And then provide options for boosting the odds. But that is more applied problems than GBL.

So the intrinsic motivation students can feel while role-playing themselves OR a character they WISH to be, allows them to engage with the content honestly. (3/3)

However, with the ability of self reflection within the game, they implicitly give themselves goals and a reason to move forward/experiment. There is no way to extrinsically design goals that every student wants to achieve, (2/3)

The modern day spiritual successor to this game is called Contraption Maker on steam. I've also play this game for hours as a kid. store.steampowered.com/app/241240/C...

Spitballing ideas, Argument Wars from iCivics can be expanded to cover more topics in a classroom setting. A team of students are assigned to defend an unpopular opinion even if they disagree with it, and, for the roleplay, must defend their argument to a judge while the other team coutners.

WAIT! I JUST REMEMEBRED. The Wolf Among Us is my favorite civics game! 😂 Though, explaining why would probably take up too much character space. #levelupedu

In a way, they were the perfect test subjects. Anti-tech, non-game literate, "What does 'Press Start' mean?"-type test subjects that I needed to strengthen my own design theory on making better, more approachable, learning video games.

I got some homework to do now! 👀👀

Of course! That's what makes it great to investigate. Everyone has their own need, so figuring out which game covers their needs the best is great insight!

I play whatever the team needs. I can honestly play them all. Though, if every necessary roll is filled properly, I find Penni, Thor, and Hulk to be pretty fun.

I never played either game. But I'm willing to bet it's Oregon Trailer that's the better edu game. There is a lot more freedome in choices you can make in Oregon Trailer that isn't present in the other game.