3 Game Mechanics To Include In Learning Games
3 Game Mechanics To Include In Learning Games
3 Game Mechanics To Include In Learning Games
By Abhijit Kadle
December 15, 2015
Summary
While you will almost certainly encounter these in commercial games, I've seen some learning games fall flat because the designers are ignoring some fundamental mechanics.
When designing a learning game, you'll want to build these mechanics into the design.
It's a way that players can show their prowess at playing the game.
Commercial games like tallettaa ja pelata require that a player 'unlock' and achievement by accomplishing a single complex or series of simple to complex tasks.
In a learning game, it may make sense to have achievements for simple tasks as well.
This makes a good dynamic for player comparison - "I did 300 points in 30 seconds, how many did you?" From a learning game perspective, this mechanic should be used in quiz type games that let learners show their factual knowledge.
It should be noted that this type of mechanic isn't very suitable for learning games that involve multiple players - it is always for one player against the clock.
The theory simply states that information should be released in smallest possible snippets to let players gain an appropriate level of understanding at each juncture of the game narrative.
This makes special sense in learning games, where there is some 'learning content' that the player must learn before moving on in the game.
As a learning game designer, you must ensure that content is chunked and presented through game-play at the appropriate time and in the correct context.
Reference
Kadle, A. (2015, December 15). 3 Game Mechanics To Include In Learning Games. Retrieved October 28, 2020, from https://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/2010/12/15/3-game-mechanics-to-include-in-learning-games/