The role of “mechanics” in
the serious game design process.
Dr. Nick Degens
Associate Professor User-Centered Design Hanze University of Applied Sciences
Underground, 2015
Ludomedic, 2011
Three-Dimensional Model
Open-Ended Questions
Can we identify a number of salient dimensions of educational game design?
Can we use these dimensions to define important patterns in the interaction of users with the game and associated learning goals?
Can we improve and further formalise the design of educational games using these patterns?
Game vs. User
Important questions:
What (kind of games) is the user interested in?
Is interaction a core aspect of the gameplay (vs. instrumental)?
How is the player motivated to continue playing the game?
Challenge? Story?
Game vs. User
Game vs. User
User vs. Learning
Important questions:
What kind of feedback does the user receive (right type, place, time)?
Does the educational content align with the knowledge/skills of the user?
How does the educational content relate to real world activities?
Game vs. Learning
Important questions:
How are the game mechanics and the learning objectives aligned (are they even aligned)?
What is the balance between the entertainment and educational aspects of the game?
Three Dimensions of Educational Game Design
There is a need to:
Explicitly formalise the learning objectives and the process in which users acquire new knowledge or skills Explicitly formalise the core game mechanics
Explicitly formalise the capabilities of the user
Analysis of Grand Prix Multiplication
Grand Prix Multiplication
What if the user does not know these rules?
Grand Prix Multiplication
Is this enough to motivate the player?
Grand Prix Multiplication
Does the user have enough time to reflect?
Analysis of Zombie Division
Analysis of Zombie Division
What if they don’t know the tables?Analysis of Zombie Division
What if they don’t see the feedback (no time…)
Future steps
How do we (automatically) adapt educational games to match the knowledge and skills of learners?
Future steps
How do we ensure that the
gameplay mechanics ‘match’ the learning goals?
Take-home message
• In addition to validating games ‘as a whole’ (which is expensive and time-consuming)…
• … we should better understand the impact of game mechanics on different types of learning outcomes…
• … so it will be easier to select new game mechanics for similar problems in the future.
Dr. Nick Degens
Associate Professor User-Centered Design
