Learning Games
and
Gamification
Design Essentials

Topics
• Trade-offs between software flexibility and
easy-of-use with game development tools.
• Resources to leverage authoring tools to
create learning games.
• Example of Some Game development tools:
– to make simple digital games.
– to create non-digital games.
• Where do I find images and assets for game
development.

Review: Things to evaluate
4
Game component Things to evaluate
Game Goal Is it challenging? Do you like it?
Core dynamic(s) How do you achieve the goal…collecting things,
exploration, racing to the finish, territory
acquisition? Is THAT fun?
Game mechanics Do the rules contribute to your enjoyment? Are they
too complex? Too easy?
Game elements What game elements are part of this game and
how do they enhance it?
Feedback How do I know how I am doing? Is it effective?

What types of Games You are
Going to Create?
• 2D Simpler Online Learning Games: Asynchronous
(self-paced) games where learners play online
against themselves or computer with 2D
motivation and graphics.
• 3D Online Learning Games: Characters are 3D and
interact with a 3D environment.
• Live Audience Response Games: Creating games
for use with live audience in classroom or large
group setting.
• Live Audience Playing a Board or Card Game:
Learners playing live with other learners.

Build vs. BuyCustomization
Ease of Use
• Authoring Tools
• 2D Game Engines
• Programming Languages
• Game Templates
• 3D Game Engines
• DIY
• Branching Story Tools

Game Templates

Raptivity Link: http://www.raptivity.com/

Raptivity
http://www.raptivity.com/index.html

Raptivity

eLearning Brothers
http://elearningbrothers.com/

eLearning Brothers Link:http://elearningbrothers.com/

2,999 per five
games

Used it to create learning
games.
Designed specifically FOR
eLearning.
http://www.growthengineering
.co.uk/genie-content-
authoring-tool/
Genie Game-Based Authoring Tool

Service plus software, includes content
development support– pricing starts at
$9,999 for one-year subscription.
Authors can export SCORM packages
for upload onto LMS or run on web.
Designed for corporate learning
audiences.
http://www.theknowledgeguru.com
Knowledge Guru:
Quest, Drive and Legend

mLevel-Includes templates for creating games.
30 Day free trial, lots of different game
types and activities.
Designed for corporate and education
learning audiences used by Pearson.
www.mlevel.com

Various game templates
for playing interactive
games with an audience.
Mobile option available.
www.c3softworks.com
C3 Softworks

Games with Authoring
Tools

Articulate Storyline
https://community.articulate.com/articles/how-to-build-an-elearning-game
Captivate
https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2364288

2D Game Engines

Phazer
https://phaser.io/

Game Salad

Game Salad
• Multi-Platform publishing - One web-based interface for publishing to multiple platforms such as
the iPhone or Mac. GameSalad can also publish to Android-based devices such as the Nook, and to
HTML5
• Tables/arrays - Users can use tables to access mass amounts data efficiently. These tables are
readable and writable.
• Game preview - GameSalad has a specific preview mode for debugging and testing the performance
and functionality of games. There's a GameSalad Viewer application that can be installed separately
onto a users mobile device so that they can click atoolbar button inside GameSalad to preview a
project directly on their device through a wireless network.
• Scene editor - Users can place and manipulate actors in a scene. Actors are added to the scene by
dragging and dropping.
• Integrated physics - Uses physics simulator for handling realistic motion and collision. Users can
manage and optimize how objects collide by organizing actors with tags.
• Expressions - GameSalad has an expression editor to define complex behavior.
Sources: Game Salad Website/Wikipedia www.gamesalad.com

Learning Game Salad
http://learn.gamesalad.com/all-courses/

Learning Game Salad

GameMaker Studio 2
Programming background NOT required, though extremely helpful. Medium complexity to
use; lots of support available. No 3D.
Rapidly growing in usage; strong user community built-in tutorials.
GameMaker allows you to structure your game to work with a client/server model, dealing
with all of the network management behind the scenes, while allowing you to focus on the
game itself.
https://www.yoyogames.com/

GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2
https://gamedevelopment.tutsplus.com/articles/how-to-learn-gamemaker-studio--gamedev-10911

Programming background NOT required, though really, really helpful.
Medium complexity to use; lots of support available. Amazing quality; no 3D, though.
Rapidly growing in usage; strong user community.
Construct games CAN be imported into authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline,
Captivate, or Lectora.
https://www.construct.net/
Construct 3 game creator by Scirra

Construct 3 Pricing
1 Filament Walk, London, SW18 4GQ•
•
London-based: 1 Filament Walk SW18 4GQ
Scirra Ltd, Studio 117, The Lightbulb
1 Filament Walk, London, SW18 4GQ•
•

Construct 3 Tutorials
https://www.construct.net/tutorials/beginners-guide-to-construct-3-1

Browser based but Construct 3 will work offline.

Branching Story Tools

BranchTrack

Chat Mapper
Tool for writing and testing nonlinear dialogue and events.

Chat Mapper dialogue tree.

Board and Card Game
Resources

The Gamecrafter
https://www.thegamecrafter.com/

The Gamecrafter

The Gamecrafter

Gamecrafter: Zombie Sales
Apocolapyse The Card Game

Make Playing Cards
http://www.makeplayingcards.com/

Make Playing Cards

3D Game Engines

Unity
https://unity3d.com/unity
Complex to use
Typically used for highly
immersive experiences,
simulations. Very, very
powerful in terms of
what it can do.
Can be 2D or 3D
Users tend to have
programming background
or expertise
https://unity3d.com/unit
y
Unity

Lumberyard
Amazon tool, available for free. 3D Games.
Understanding of programming required.

Blender The Blender Game Engine is a component of Blender, a free and
open-source comprehensive 3D production suite, used for
making real-time interactive content. The game engine was
written from scratch in C++ as a mostly independent component,
and includes support for features such as Python scripting and
OpenAL 3D sound.

Turbosquid, 3D Assets
https://www.turbosquid.com/

Creating Game Assets

Gameboard Backgrounds
Shutterstock
https://tinyurl.com/Shutterstockgames

Adobe Stock
https://tinyurl.com/Adobegameboards

iStock Photos
https://tinyurl.com/iStockGameVector

Game Development Market
Game art: https://www.gamedevmarket.net/

Game Art Partners
https://gameartpartners.com/

Live Digital Games

Gamifies learning; intended
for virtual ILT as well as
face-to-face ILT. Not for
asynchronous elearning.
Instructor displays
questions or polls. Learners
respond via mobile device.
FREE!!!!!
https://getkahoot.com/
Kahoot!

Poll Everywhere
Gamifies learning;
intended for virtual ILT as
well as face-to-face ILT.
Not for asynchronous
elearning.
Instructor displays
questions or polls.
Learners respond via
mobile device or web
browser.
Segment Questions by
first question “What
Team?”
www.polleverwhere.com

90 Days of Premium: Free
1. Create a free account
(https://www.polleverywhere.com/signup?ref=k_kapp)
2. Email code: K_Kapp
to support@polleverywhere.com
Automatically downgrades to the
standard free plan after 90 days

Summary
• Trade-offs between software flexibility and
easy-of-use with game development tools.
• Resources to leverage authoring tools to
create learning games.
• Inexpensive or free game development tools:
– to make simple digital games.
– to create non-digital games.
• Where do I find inexpensive or free 3D
developments software and assets.