Game Mechanics in the Design of a Collaborative 3D Serious Game

Abstract

Background. This article investigates the potential of utilizing game mechanics in designing 3-D serious games for Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) and attempt to produce new information about designing collaborative serious games.

Aim. This article has two aims: first, to clarify how theoretical knowledge of collaborative learning was related to game design in previous studies; and, second, to design a collaborative serious game based on theoretical knowledge of collaborative learning and game design.

Results. The reviewed studies revealed the potential of using collaborative games in education. However, they showed that collaborative learning games were typically designed only from pedagogical perspective. Thus, integrating educational theory and game design perspectives was rare. Therefore, we argue that collaborative serious games do not necessarily take full advantage of their potential.

Conclusions. For future game design, this article highlights the importance of game mechanics in the design of serious games. The main contribution of this article is to present seven ways to utilize game mechanics in order to create favorable conditions for collaborative learning and to structure players’ actions to boost social interaction and collaborative activities. This article concludes with an example of taking advantage of game mechanics in the design of a collaborative serious game. As designed, the game has three multiplayer puzzles. Designed to promote collaborative activities, these puzzles require effort and commitment from several players to complete the puzzles successfully. This article also uses event-charts to demonstrate the practical implementation of game mechanics in multiplayer puzzles.