I clearly remember attending the first learning and technology conferences where learning games — then known as serious games — were introduced. Having initially worked in game design before transitioning into corporate learning, I was excited by the convergence of these two worlds. The chance to integrate elements from consumer games into business was exhilarating. Not surprisingly, this innovation went on to significantly transform the learning experience in organizations, particularly by driving a massive shift toward digital learning.
As years passed and new technologies emerged, I waited for games to fall out of favor. Yet, even as our attention moved to social learning, adaptive learning and, eventually, artificial intelligence (AI), we continued to discuss and create more and more learning games for our customers every year, reaching new learners and driving deeper engagement with growth and skills in new ways.
Why Do Learning Games Work?
Why have games remained a critical component of our learning armory? The simple answer is that we learn through play. From early childhood to adulthood, play is a fundamental part of how humans learn. When we play, we experience many different modes of behavioral engagement, including exploration, creation, competition, failure, collaboration and practice — each of which is critical to learning. In a digital context, play and game-like experiences can take many forms. As a result, many organizations find it challenging to quickly identify the gaming approach that best fits their needs while staying within their time and budget constraints.
Finding the Right Game Types
Game design does not fit neatly into a taxonomy, with most learning games combining a variety of strategies. However, certain core game types have proven successful in specific contexts. Here are a few examples of core learning-game strategies and when you should use them:
Arcade Games and Gamification
Arcade-style games are the simplest form of a digital learning game, often including fun, non-integral activities, quizzes or simple puzzles. This approach may be combined with traditional digital eLearning in a process that we sometimes refer to as “gamification.” Adding fun, engagement and competition to otherwise dry content makes gamification ideal for knowledge or process-heavy learning challenges, such as product training or procedural learning. We have had great success with collaborative quizzes for sales teams in the automotive industry, where competitive elements and rewards for the highest team scores lead to global recognition.
Puzzle Games
Puzzle games are perfect for engaging with processes, solution models and problem-solving. These games go beyond arcade-style interactions by incorporating meaningful, relevant interactions into the gameplay. Our escape room format is a notable example, of which we have developed several different versions. In one successful iteration, participants used it to learn about the design thinking process. Learners progressed by deciphering a code at each step, with each one corresponding to a specific step in the design thinking model, all leading to a successful escape.
Strategy Games
Strategy games are ideal for developing decision-making skills for complex processes that may have multiple paths to success. These games often use a fail/try again/succeed approach to build understanding. Decisions must be weighed against each other, much like in real-life systems. One of my favorite examples is a logistical strategy game we created for a global oil company. New joiners used this game during their induction to create a working, operational pathway from the drilling rig to the petrol station, learning about the company’s core business along the way.
Scenario Games
Scenario games are a versatile and powerful learning tool that immerse learners in specific, realistic situations or challenges. These games focus on key interactions or choices, providing a clear picture of the consequences and impact of decisions. They offer a safe space for practice, often through conversation, and allow for failure and exploration in ways that may be difficult to replicate in real life. A great example of a scenario is “How Not To Suck At Money,” a game we developed for Invesco QQQ to teach college students core financial skills.
Simulation Games
Simulation games combine elements of strategy and scenario games, often replicating complex models with many interrelated components. These games are based on algorithms that reflect real-life systems, showing learners how their decisions affect other factors in a complex model. We have developed successful business simulations for retail and commercial businesses, such as vehicle retailers and insurance agencies, where learners make decisions over a simulated game year to maximize profits.
Hitting the Bullseye With Game Design
Given the vast range of game types and use cases, how do we develop the right solution for your needs? Over the years, we’ve created a repeatable model that consistently delivers effective solutions.
Our process involves three steps:
- Develop Foundational Principles: We start by developing five foundational principles, or pillars, that capture the project’s essence and ambition. Every design decision is traced back to these principles.
- Shape the Game: We shape the game through a series of design questions. This step is crucial and involves exploring six areas: Challenge, Immersion, Playability, Learning, Fun and Engagement. Within each area, we question various factors against the learning need. For example, within Challenge, we consider the role of failure as a learning tool, as well as looking at the use of learner vs. learner competition as a mode of engagement. We also examine the number of options available to the learner and how we may increase pressure on the player to achieve goals, building engagement through a heightened emotional experience.
- Develop a Draft Gameplay Loop: We create a draft gameplay loop or journey that can be reviewed, tested and iterated.
By the end of this exploration, we have a clear shape that suggests a core approach, allowing us to develop the subtleties in design needed to deliver a final learning experience that meets the client’s needs.
Key Considerations for Successful Game Development
Starting with the right design and approach is essential, but developing a custom learning game is complex. Here are a few key lessons we’ve learned:
- Align Your Game Design With Real Learning Needs: Ensure your game delivers strategically aligned learning, not just engagement. Games are powerful digital learning experiences, so make the most of them.
- Keep it Simple: Collaboration between subject matter experts, designers and technologists is crucial, but avoid overcomplicating the design. Stick to core principles and focus on the learner experience.
- Involve Stakeholders Early: Engage stakeholders from the start to ensure buy-in and support along the way. Early collaboration helps stakeholders defend and support the project during its critical stages of development.
- Test Thoroughly: Test your design at every stage, from concept to beta, and involve learners, managers, and leaders in the process. Use testing to creatively engage with feedback, not just to validate your decisions.
Harnessing the Power of Play to Unlock Learning Potential
Learning games have proven their enduring value by blending humans’ innate engagement with play with practical skills development and growth. As we continue to innovate and refine our approaches, the possibilities for creating impactful, learner-focused experiences are endless. By combining thoughtful design with a clear understanding of learning objectives, we can deliver games that not only educate but also inspire. The future of learning is interactive, immersive, and playful — are you ready to press start?
