Worldbuilding in Game-based Learning Environments– A System and a Tool
Worldbuilding in Game-based Learning Environments– A System and a Tool
Worldbuilding in Game-based Learning Environments– A System and a Tool
By Eduardo Nunes
January 13, 2021
Summary
If games are mostly used for fun and to escape reality, using games for learning could break that purpose and become paradoxical.
That has not stopped researchers, game developers and educators from producing millions of educational games, some more successful than others, using different genres, different processes, mechanics, game elements, to the point where the variety of such tools is becoming too much - and for so little result.
By creating games that children play, not only because they are fun, but also because they become intertwined with the story and immersed into the adventures and the game world.
Just as in fantasy literature, success comes when a game is full of elements such as geography, weather variations, a societal structure, a socioeconomic fabric, important characters, a massive amount of history that adds depth, and a narrative that places the gamer inside the story and the events which unfold.
Worldbuilding is not just a tool for creating good and immersive games.
The scenarios where the game occur are there for a reason, your player must move through mountains.
Game developers focus on game mechanics, which might or might not be useful to teachers, who are more concerned about the means of getting the educational contents inside the game.
Worldbuilding for education means creating a mixture of game content such as narrative, quests and adventures and educational contents.
Even if you do need to "Steal" a few moments from the game to teach the player something they absolutely need to learn for the educational objectives you set for the game; if your story is engaging enough just as they are willing to spend hours grinding away in any other RPG, they will listen to all the teachers have to say.
Focuses on the creation of role playing games and bringing RPG elements such as worldbuilding and storytelling to learning experiences.
Reference
Nunes, E. (2021, January 13). Worldbuilding in Game-based learning environments – a system and a tool. Retrieved March 04, 2021, from https://www.ludogogy.co.uk/article/worldbuilding-in-game-based-learning-environments-a-system-and-a-tool/