SERIOUS GAMES AND EDUCATION: A COMPARATIVE APPROACH TO INVESTIGATE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GAME WALKTHROUGHS

Abstract

The gamification of education has garnered considerable attention in recent years. This research investigates the incorporation of game elements and aesthetics in educational contexts to enhance student motivation and engagement. The allure of gamification lies in its ability to capitalize on the familiarity and interest students have in games as a medium for learning. Moreover, the cognitive benefits of video games are well-documented, encompassing improvements in visual spatial resolution, reaction time, spatial awareness, probabilistic reasoning, and visual short-term memory. This study explores the potential of games to revolutionize education.

Markus Fried's categorization of video game interactivity presents three key theories: user-news game interaction, user-technology platform interaction, and user-user relationship interaction. User engagement with news games involves information transfer, where users both receive and curate news content within the gaming framework. This process culminates in a user-driven "secondary creation" outcome, fostering immersion and emotional empathy. Immersion, a concentration of attention on a specific scenario or thought activity, plays a pivotal role in the interaction between users and news games. By simulating real-world events, news games engender an environment that heightens user engagement and empathy, aligning with Murray J H's assertion that heightened realism amplifies user immersion. This study illuminates the potential of game-based education and the transformative power of immersive experiences in news games.