Contribution of the co.LAB Framework to the Collaborative Design of Serious Games: Mixed-Methods Validation Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Jaccard ◽  
Laurent Suppan ◽  
Félicia Bielser
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Multidisciplinary Design ◽  
Design Teams ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to the successful development of serious games, albeit difficult to achieve. The co.LAB serious game design framework was created to support collaboration within serious game multidisciplinary design teams. Its use has not yet been validated in a naturalistic context. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to perform a first assessment of the impact of the co.LAB framework on collaboration within multidisciplinary teams during serious game design and development. METHODS This was a mixed-methods study based on two serious game design projects in which the co.LAB framework was used. The first phase was qualitative and carried out using a general inductive approach. To this end, all members of the first serious game project team who used the co.LAB framework were invited to take part in a focus group session (N=6). Results inferred from qualitative data were then used to define a quantitative instrument (questionnaire) which was designed according to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys. Members of both project teams (N=11) were then asked to answer the questionnaire. Quantitative results were reported as median [Q1;Q3] and appropriate non-parametric tests used to assess for between group differences. Finally, results gathered through the qualitative and quantitative phases were integrated. RESULTS In both phases, the participation rate was 100%. Verbatim transcripts were classified into 4 high level themes: influence on collaborative dimensions; impact on project course, monitoring and efficiency; qualitative perceptions of the framework; and influence of team composition on the use of the framework. Accordingly, the web-based questionnaire was then developed according to Burhardt's seven dimensions of collaboration. In both projects, the co.LAB framework had a positive impact on most dimensions of collaboration during the multidisciplinary design and development of serious games. When all collaborative dimensions were aggregated, the overall impact of the framework was rated on a scale from "-42" to "+42" (very negative to very positive). The overall score was 23 [20;27], with no significant difference between groups (P=.58). Most respondents also believed that all serious game design teams should include a member possessing a significant expertise in serious game design frameworks to guide the development process. CONCLUSIONS The co.LAB framework has a positive impact on collaboration within serious game development teams. However, expert guidance seems necessary to maximize development efficiency. Whether such guidance can be provided by means of a collaborative web platform remains to be determined.

scholarly journals A New Methodology of Design and Development of Serious Games

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
André F. S. Barbosa ◽  
Pedro N. M. Pereira ◽  
João A. F. F. Dias ◽  
Frutuoso G. M. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Educational Content ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Perfect Knowledge ◽  
Main Action ◽  
Educational Contents

The development of a serious game requires perfect knowledge of the learning domain to obtain the desired results. But it is also true that this may not be enough to develop a successful serious game. First of all, the player has to feel that he is playing a game where the learning is only a consequence of the playing actions. Otherwise, the game is viewed as boring and not as a fun activity and engaging. For example, the player can catch some items in the scenario and then separate them according to its type (i.e., recycle them). Thus, the main action for player is catching the items in the scenario where the recycle action is a second action, which is viewed as a consequence of the first action. Sometimes, the game design relies on a detailed approach based on the ideas of the developers because some educational content are difficult to integrate in the games, while maintaining the fun factor in the first place. In this paper we propose a new methodology of design and development of serious games that facilitates the integration of educational contents in the games. Furthermore, we present a serious game, called “Clean World”, created using this new methodology.

scholarly journals A Generic, Adaptive and Systemic Methodology for the Collaborative Design of Serious Games: Development of the co.LAB Framework (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Jaccard ◽  
Laurent Suppan ◽  
Eric Sanchez ◽  
Audrey Hugenin ◽  
Maxence Laurent
Keyword(s):  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Learning Design ◽  
Design Framework ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Generic Design ◽  
Web Platform

BACKGROUND Serious games offer teachers the opportunity to create meaningful learning scenarios and are increasingly used at all levels of education. Designing efficient and engaging serious games is a difficult process which requires a collaborative approach. Many design frameworks have been described, most of which are dedicated to the development of specific types of serious games. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to create a general serious game design framework which could be adapted to all kinds of serious games and implemented in a collaborative web platform. METHODS We combined the results of a literature review with our experience in serious game development to determine the basic building blocks of a design framework. We then organized these building blocks into categories and determined the features that a generic design framework should include. Finally, based on the paradigm of complex systems and systemic modelling, we created the co.LAB generic design framework and specifications to allow its implementation in a collaborative web platform. RESULTS Based on a total of 10 existing design methodologies or frameworks, 23 building blocks were identified and represent the foundation of the co.LAB framework. These blocks were organized into five categories: "context and objectives", "game design", "mechanics", "learning design" and "assessment". The arrangement by categories provides a structure which can be visualized in multiple and complementary ways. The classical view links game and learning design while other views offer project, systemic and process visualizations. For the implementation of the co.LAB framework in a web platform, we propose to convert the building blocks into “cards”. Each card would constitute a collaborative working space for the design of the corresponding block. To make the framework adaptive, cards could be added, adapted or removed according to the kind of serious game intended. Enhancing the visualization of relationships between cards should support a systemic implementation of the framework. CONCLUSIONS By offering a structured view of the fundamental design elements required to create serious games, the co.LAB framework can facilitate the design and development of such games by virtue of a collaborative, adaptive and systemic approach. The different visualizations of the building blocks should allow for a shared understanding and a consistent approach throughout the design and development process. The implementation of the co.LAB framework in a collaborative web platform should now be performed and its actual usability and effectiveness tested.

Serious Games in Business

2012 ◽  
pp. 539-558
Author(s):  
Silke Balzert ◽  
Lucia Pannese ◽  
Marie-Therese Walter ◽  
Peter Loos
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Use Cases ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
Related Point

The intention of this book chapter is to give an overview about Serious Games from a scientific as well as from a business related point of view. As a first step, several existing definitions of Serious Games are examined, and the differences and similarities of these games and common computer games are presented. In the next step, some goals of Serious Games and their dependency on the application scenario and/or the kind of business in which the game is used are analyzed. Afterwards, the focus switches to Serious Games developed for an economic context. The specific goals of such games are presented, and the influence of these goals on design and development requirements is discussed. Furthermore, how the application scenario influences Serious Game design is examined. Last but not least, some use cases are presented in order to demonstrate the possibilities of Serious Games for training and learning purposes.

Serious Storytelling

2010 ◽  
pp. 13-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudy McDaniel ◽  
Stephen M. Fiore ◽  
Denise Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Narrative Coherence ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Interactive Storytelling ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
And Function

In this chapter, the authors explore the nature and function of storytelling in serious games. Drawing from the field of narratology, they explore research related to narrative expression and relate those ideas to serious game design and development. They also consider interactive storytelling and apply and adapt traditional ideas about story as a static and predetermined entity into this new setting, a setting which depends in part upon gamer participation to craft dramatic experiences. The authors conceptualize narrative as a combination of plot, character, and environment, and then use that conceptualization to devise a narrative taxonomy that is useful as a heuristic for developing stronger stories in serious games. The chapter concludes with an analysis of the hybrid FPS/RPG game Fallout 3, an analysis included to show that even highly regarded and award-winning games are lacking in the narrative coherence necessary to improve the level of dramatic immersion in virtual worlds.

A course on serious game design and development using an online problem-based learning approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Kapralos ◽  
Stephanie Fisher ◽  
Jessica Clarkson ◽  
Roland van Oostveen
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Design ◽  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Active Research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel undergraduate course on serious game design and development that integrates both game and instructional design, thus providing an effective approach to teaching serious game design and development. Very little effort has been dedicated to the teaching of proper serious game design and development leading to many examples of serious games that provide little, if any, educational value. Design/methodology/approach – Organized around a collection of video clips (that provided a brief contextualized overview of the topic and questions for further exploration), readings, interdisciplinary research projects and games, the course introduced the principles of game and instructional design, educational theories used to support game-based learning and methods for evaluating serious games. Discussions and activities supported the problems that students worked on throughout the course to develop a critical stance and approach toward implementing game-based learning. Students designed serious games and examined potential issues and complexities involved in developing serious games and incorporating them within a teaching curriculum. Findings – Results of student course evaluations reveal that the course was fun and engaging. Students found the course fun and engaging, and through the successful completion of the final course project, all students met all of the course objectives. A discussion regarding the techniques and approaches used in the course that were successful (or unsuccessful) is provided. Research limitations/implications – It should be noted that a more detailed analysis has not been presented to fully demonstrate the effectiveness of the course. A more detailed analysis may have included a comparison with, for example, past versions of the course that was not based on an online problem-based learning (PBL) approach, to better quantify the effectiveness of the course. However, such a comparison could not be carried out here, given there was no measure of prior knowledge of students taken before they took course (e.g. no “pre-test data”). Originality/value – Unlike the few existing courses dedicated to serious game design, the course was designed specifically to facilitate a fully online PBL approach and provided students the opportunity to take control of their own learning through active research, exploration and problem-solving alone, in groups and through facilitated class discussions.

scholarly journals Integrating Health Behavior Theory and Design Elements in Serious Games

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen Cheek ◽  
Theresa Fleming ◽  
Mathijs FG Lucassen ◽  
Heather Bridgman ◽  
Karolina Stasiak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
User Perceptions ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
User Centered

Background Internet interventions for improving health and well-being have the potential to reach many people and fill gaps in service provision. Serious gaming interfaces provide opportunities to optimize user adherence and impact. Health interventions based in theory and evidence and tailored to psychological constructs have been found to be more effective to promote behavior change. Defining the design elements which engage users and help them to meet their goals can contribute to better informed serious games. Objective To elucidate design elements important in SPARX, a serious game for adolescents with depression, from a user-centered perspective. Methods We proposed a model based on an established theory of health behavior change and practical features of serious game design to organize ideas and rationale. We analyzed data from 5 studies comprising a total of 22 focus groups and 66 semistructured interviews conducted with youth and families in New Zealand and Australia who had viewed or used SPARX. User perceptions of the game were applied to this framework. Results A coherent framework was established using the three constructs of self-determination theory (SDT), autonomy, competence, and relatedness, to organize user perceptions and design elements within four areas important in design: computer game, accessibility, working alliance, and learning in immersion. User perceptions mapped well to the framework, which may assist developers in understanding the context of user needs. By mapping these elements against the constructs of SDT, we were able to propose a sound theoretical base for the model. Conclusions This study’s method allowed for the articulation of design elements in a serious game from a user-centered perspective within a coherent overarching framework. The framework can be used to deliberately incorporate serious game design elements that support a user’s sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, key constructs which have been found to mediate motivation at all stages of the change process. The resulting model introduces promising avenues for future exploration. Involving users in program design remains an imperative if serious games are to be fit for purpose.

scholarly journals Technology Integrated in Interactive Entrepreneurship Activity to Enhance Students Mastery in Mathematics Concept for Active Mathematics Teaching

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 250-255
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Mathematics Learning ◽  
Treatment Session ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of interactive entrepreneurship activity in mathematics learning towards students’ mastery in mathematics concepts. The objective is to look at the impact of implementing an active learning strategy combined with technology on mastery of mathematics concepts after engaging in a learning activity. The combination of technology in interactive learning and games kits in the form of interactive entrepreneurship activity has resulted in the innovation of learning strategies to enhance the learning interest, enjoyment and to influence the mastery of students' mathematics concepts. The effectiveness study of the strategy was conducted using an experimental study design that involved 109 students from 2 secondary schools who had participated in a 4-week mathematics learning treatment session. The experiment group was exposed to interactive entrepreneurship activity through the use of a learning kit while the control group followed conventional learning for a selected mathematics topic. Post-test were conducted to see differences in understanding and achievement of mathematics concepts for both groups of students. The results show that there is a significant difference between the mastery of mathematics concept of the experiment group students and the control group students. This shows that the integration of technology in learning activities has a positive impact on student learning. The implications of the study indicate that teachers need to constantly improve pedagogical knowledge based on current technological developments and improve teaching strategies in order to improve student competencies. The parties also need to provide the latest technology to improve the quality of education in line with global developments.

Balancing Fun and Learning in a Serious Game Design

Gamification ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 452-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Franzwa ◽  
Ying Tang ◽  
Aaron Johnson ◽  
Talbot Bielefeldt
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Guidance System ◽  
Stem Fields ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Design Challenges ◽  
Narrative Learning

This article presents the underlying philosophy of Sustain City, an educational serious game system that engages students, particularly prospective and beginning science and engineering students, in a series of engineering design challenges. Various strategies implemented in Sustain City for achieving a balance of fun and learning are discussed, including narrative-learning synthesis, supplementing the player's actions with feedback, and the development of a sufficient guidance system. The evaluation of Sustain City deployment is also presented. The assessment confirms the values of the serious games in promoting students' interests and learning in STEM fields.

Crowdfunding Serious Games

2021 ◽  
pp. 112-129
Author(s):  
Christopher Buckingham ◽  
Vanissa Wanick
Keyword(s):  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Design Models ◽  
Robust Approach ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Target Markets

In serious game design, addressing issues related to the value and opportunity of the development of a game is vital in the early stages, creating a more structured and robust approach by exploring the business case. Present frameworks provide an in-depth analysis of game design models but often fail to state the case of predetermined target markets and new funding options for serious game design. Crowdfunding is an emerging funding path for these games and one that leads the vanguard in breaking with traditional forms of raising funding. This chapter aims to help in addressing an existing limitation in the literature by reviewing an existing framework on game design and blending this with the concept of crowdfunding. This chapter proposes the extension of a framework that reflects the possibility for early crowdfunding of a serious game.

scholarly journals An Assessment of Serious Games Technology: Toward an Architecture for Serious Games Design

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Mestadi ◽  
Khalid Nafil ◽  
Raja Touahni ◽  
Rochdi Messoussi
Keyword(s):  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Functional Architecture ◽  
Do So

The design of an engaging and motivating serious game (SG) requires a strong knowledge of learning domain, pedagogy, and game design components, which are hard to be found and restrained by an individual or one entity. Therefore and in the light of this statement, the collaboration between domain content, pedagogical, and playful experts is required and crucial. Despite the fact that the existing models that support SG design are intended to have a combination of learning and fun, the design of SG remains difficult to achieve. It would then be appreciated to propose means and guidelines that facilitate this design. To do so, this paper proposes a taxonomy, which classifies models that treat SG design, and then presents an opening as a functional architecture for supporting SG conception, which promotes the separation during the design, the collaboration between different involved experts, and the reuse of prior expert productions.

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