Digital Learning Game Design: Lessons from the Trenches
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The document presents key lessons in digital learning game design by Sharon Boller and Kristen Hewett, emphasizing the importance of understanding game elements and mechanics before designing a game. It outlines six critical lessons, including the necessity of game content in prototypes, the impact of aesthetics and theme, the appeal of fantasy, and the importance of playtesting. Additionally, it provides guidelines for creating effective scoring systems and maintaining complexity proportional to playtime.
Digital Learning Game Design: Lessons from the Trenches
- 1. Digital Learning Game Design Lessons from the Trenches Presented by Sharon Boller & Kristen Hewe2 Bo#om-‐Line Performance, Inc.
- 2. What do we even MEAN by game? An ac4vity that has an explicit goal or challenge, rules that guide achievement of the goal, interac6vity with either other players or the game environment (or both), and feedback mechanisms that give clear cues as to how well or poorly you are performing. It results in a quan6fiable outcome (you win/ you lose, you hit the target, etc). Usually generates an emo6onal reac6on in players.
- 3. Goals for Today Learning Game Design Process 6 Lessons: Best Prac4ces; PiMalls to Avoid Tools & Templates www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 4. Learning Game Design Process Play games; evaluate what you are playing Get familiar w/ game elements & how to use them. Think about the learning – and then the game. Dump ADDIE. Go agile instead. Playtest.Playtest. Did I say playtest?
- 5. Let’s Play Games (and Evaluate)! Use Handout Page 5 to do your evalua4on of these games as we play.
- 6. Think About Learning FIRST Game Topic Who’s the target audience? (incl. characteristics) The INSTRUCTIONAL goal is: The LEARNING objectives are: Key content to include
- 7. Then Consider the Game Game Goal Core Dynamic(s)? Game Mechanics (aka “rules”) Game Elements • Theme • Story • Cooperation • Competition • Etc. • Strategy • Chance • Aesthetics • Resources
- 8. Dump ADDIE; go agile instead (iterative) Playtest. Playtest. Did I say playtest?
- 10. Learning Game Design Process 6 Lessons: Best Prac4ces; PiMalls to Avoid Tools & Templates www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 11. 3 Guiding Principles 1. Play and evaluate lots of digital games before you starting designing your first one. 2. Pay attention to how different core dynamics and different game mechanics affect the game play and the learning experience. 3. PLAYTEST! Many, many times… and with the right audience. Expect lots of fixes each time. www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 12. 6 Lessons 1. You need game content– even at the first prototype. 2. Aesthe6cs and theme drama4cally affect desire to play. 3. Fantasy has high appeal – even to “corporate” learners. 4. Players need help figuring out how to play – but typically won’t opt for it. www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 13. 6 Lessons 5. Keep rule and game complexity propor6onal to the amount of 4me people will play the game. 6. Scoring is hardest element to get right – keep trying un4l you do. www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 14. 1 Game content is needed – even in the first prototype. – h#p:// theknowledgeguru.com/ c2_examples/GGB/ storyShuffle/ – h#p:// theknowledgeguru.com/ GameBuilder/ LateForLunch/ www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 15. Aesthe6cs and theme 2 affect desire to play. www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 16. From Ho-‐Hum
- 17. To Pre2y Fun h#p://www.theknowledgeguru.com/gamedesign/
- 18. To Pre2y Fun
- 19. To Pre2y Fun
- 20. 3 Don’t dismiss fantasy. It engages people a lot. They can learn even if the theme doesn’t mirror reality. http://theknowledgeguru.com/c2_examples/GGB/MakingGold_v96/ www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 21. Players need help figuring out 4 how to play so build help in via levels, resources, and tutorials. Early prototype – no tutorial Later itera4on – tutorial, guided play www.bo#omlineperformance.com h#p://www.theknowledgeguru.com/GameBuilder/Elevator/
- 22. 5 Make complexity propor4onal to expected playing 4me. Cogni6ve overload is real. www.bo#omlineperformance.com 6 Scoring is hardest element to get right. Cri6cal for player engagement. Takes hours – and mul4ple playtests -‐ to plan out and do well.
- 24. Learning Game Design Process 6 Lessons: Best Prac4ces; PiMalls to Avoid Tools & Template s www.bo#omlineperformance.com
- 25. Tools & Templates • Primer on Play (p. 1) – Terms and defini4ons – Core Dynamics – descrip4ons of common ones – Game Elements and ?s to ask when considering whether to include/exclude from a game • • • • Game Evalua4on Worksheet (p. 5) Learning Game Design Checklist (pp. 7-‐10) Learning Game Design Template (Slides 6-‐7) Playtest field guide (p. 11)
- 26. Learning Game Design Process www.bo#omlineperformance.com 6 Lessons: Best Prac4ces; PiMalls to Avoid ??? Tools & Templates
- 27. Thank You • • • • sharon@bo#omlineperformance.com www.bo#omlineperformance.com/lolblog Twi2er: @sharon_boller (317) 861-‐5935 – office • kristen@bo#omlineperformance.com • Twi2er: @KristenNHewe# • (317) 514-‐1860 -‐ office www.bo#omlineperformance.com