Teaching

What made me trust Nico not only as a professor but also as a person, was his intervention in difficult situations between classmates. He involved us in the process, helping us critically understand what was wrong. Additionally, in a class where there was a clear minority of women and dissident voices, he addressed gender issues, tackling the topic head-on and giving it the importance and analysis it deserved.

Nico played the role of the professor who opened the door in my career to the reality of the Chilean video game development industry. He allowed us to participate in activities like interviewing local companies, shared his achievements and failures so we could learn and avoid the same mistakes, and taught us the fundamentals of game design. His classes were highly varied, which allowed us to approach game design from different angles and expand our minds. We analyzed game design videos, created board game prototypes, applied our knowledge to development tests, and even engaged in physical activities to remind us that we can also play with our bodies.

In summary, Nico expanded the concept of “play” for us, turning it into the most powerful tool we have — a material that we can mold to our taste for our games.

Taking Spanish with Professor Nico at UCR has been an incredible experience! At the beginning of the quarter, we were introduced to an innovative in-class assignment that combined learning Spanish with a bit of coding. It was such a unique and exciting way to engage with two new things simultaneously.

This approach not only made learning Spanish more dynamic but also pushed me to challenge myself in ways I hadn’t before. I truly believe that tackling new challenges like this is one of the best ways to learn a language, and I couldn’t be happier to have had Professor Nico guiding us through it. His passion and creativity made this class an unforgettable part of my UCR journey. ¡Gracias, Profesor Nico!

I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Nico during the third year of my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Riverside, when I enrolled in one of his Spanish courses to fulfill degree requirements. Prior to his class, I often felt hesitant to participate in language courses due to a fear of judgment from both peers and instructors. However, from the very first day, Professor Nico cultivated a classroom environment that felt safe, inclusive, and welcoming. Rather than beginning class with a standard round of introductions, he invited students to form a circle with their chairs—joining us himself—which immediately broke down traditional classroom barriers. This thoughtful approach not only put me at ease but also helped foster a sense of community among the students. It reminded me of being surrounded by family, and for the first time, I found myself genuinely excited to attend and participate in class.

Throughout the quarter, Professor Nico consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to teaching and to the success of every student. His passion for the subject and his encouraging, student-centered approach had a lasting impact on my academic confidence and engagement. Professor Nico is, without question, a phenomenal educator.

Taking Professor Nico’s Spanish course during the summer was a great experience. Although the course was only five weeks long, I felt I learned more through his teaching methods than I have in a quarterly system course with other professors. Professor Nico’s technique for introducing a new language is not only welcoming but also refreshing and unique, and if possible, I would absolutely take another one of his courses.

When Professor Nico introduced the idea of creating a game, I found it very intriguing as this is an imaginative way to make learning Spanish fun and engaging for students. He fostered an environment where students felt comfortable speaking Spanish, his respectful approach to correct reading and speaking helped build our confidence and fluency. This confidence has motivated me to continue Spanish on my own and his passion for teaching has made an impact on my college journey. Professor Nico is unarguably an outstanding instructor.

My experience with Nico began in my early years of studying video games. With him, I made my first discoveries about the act of play as an essential human phenomenon, both academically and personally, something that still drives my professional and personal career. I thank him for igniting my interest in the game design industry and essence, and above all, for his continued warmth as a person every time our paths cross.

He always has a smile, ready to help others while enjoying it. I hope we meet again to chat about the game of life, how we perceive realities, the people we become, and cards — haha. If you ever have the chance to meet and learn from Nico, do it; it will be a great experience for anyone who seeks it, and I know it will be for him too.

Nico has been a cornerstone throughout my professional career. As a Game Design professor at university, his philosophy and approach enriched me tremendously as a professional in the video game world. He always taught us to see the forest before focusing on just one tree, which has helped me approach difficult situations in both my daily life and professional realm.

Nico has also become a great colleague. Thanks to his support, I have been able to expand my professional networks and explore more aspects of this vast industry. His influence has been key to my development, and I am very grateful for everything I have learned from him.

Nico resonated with many thoughts I had long held but couldn’t quite articulate or direct. He was the first person in the industry who spoke my language, showing how game systems can transcend into everyday life, representing reality and ideologies. In his class, I found a space to express that games are more than just earning points or overcoming obstacles, they also represent stances on certain issues and allow players to express themselves through their avatars.

This perspective, reinforced in our classes, helped me innovate and see games through broader lenses, such as society and culture. It also taught me to empathize with the player as someone interacting with my systems. This foundation has always helped me take games seriously, and it’s something I strive to pass on, both in my work and as a mentor to other designers, aiming to inspire future generations to push the industry forward.

It was a great experience crossing paths with Nico during my first semester in the video game design program at university. As a professor, he introduced and taught us design tools that proved useful throughout my entire academic journey and that I still use today. Beyond the academic aspect, he also provided a more comprehensive view of what the industry had in store for us, bringing us closer to the inner workings of the industry and the various events surrounding video games. Personally, I valued the fact that many of these insights came from his own experiences, which he generously shared with us, his students.

Without a doubt, my experience with Nico, even though it was early in my career, was a turning point. He was a dedicated teacher who did his job with passion and encouraged us to become future video game designers.