Creating a Learning Game
in Three Steps
Twitter:@kkapp
By Karl M. Kapp
Professor , Bloomsburg University
Author: Gamification of Learning and Instruction
Basic Game Lingo
Game goal –
what player(s)
have to do to
win.
Core Dynamic
what game
play is about;
what you
have to do to
win.
Pick a dynamic to
No goal. No game. design around; it’s
easier to get
started that way.
Mechanics
rules for
players; rules
for system.
Game
Elements
Features that
help immerse
you in game
play
Rules define how
people achieve the
goal. Don’t make
Tinkering with one
too hard or too
feature can
easy.
entirely change
play experience
Basic Game Lingo
Core Dynamic
-Alignment
-Territory Acquisition
-Exploration
-Resource Allocation
-Collection
-Race to the Finish
-Outwit
-Rescue or Escape
Anatomy of a Common game
1. What’s the game goal?
2. What is the “core dynamic” – what the play is
about?
3. What are some of the “mechanics” or rules that
guide how you achieve the game goal?
4. What game elements are part of this game:
1. Aesthetics?
2. Story?
3. Strategy?
4. Chance?
5. Competition?
6. What else?
Conceptualize
• What is your learning goal?
– Enabling Objectives?
– Terminal Objective
• What activities do you want to reinforce for the
learner?
• Who is the learner?
• What are the learner characteristics?
Design
• What is the goal of the game?
• What type of game do you want?
– Fantasy
– Realistic
– Card/Board or video game?
• What game mechanic do you want to employee?
• How would you describe your game?
Prototype
What can you learn from a learning game
prototype?
• Effectiveness of game experience in fostering learning.
• Level of engagement. Do you have a “fun enough” game goal
and is your core dynamic one that keeps people interested?
• Effectiveness of game elements. Do the elements support
your learning experience or detract from it?
• Clarity of rules. How they impact the fun and the learning.
• The cognitive load on the learner.
• How complex the game might be to produce (w/out the
expense of producing it before you find out!!)
Activity: Hands On Design Session
Your Task
• Create a 15 minute game paper prototype.
The Process
• Team up or work on your own.
• Use worksheet for learning goal, audience.
• Choose your core dynamic and game goal.
• Draw, sketch, design your game. Write rules.
• Play with another group. Evaluate game. Make
revisions.
Lessons Learned?
Three Steps:
1) Conceptualize
2) Design
3) Prototype
Questions?
Final Comments