P1 Reflection – Khushi

I was very excited to create a learning game, as I have always been curious about how gamification can enhance the learning experience. As an educator, this process was particularly insightful, helping me understand the different considerations necessary to make a game both engaging and educational. One of the most challenging yet fascinating aspects of building the game was balancing the need for fun with the goal of achieving specific learning outcomes. The tension between these two objectives became a central focus as we developed the game.

We decided that much of the learning would be conveyed through information on game cards, combined with constraints related to resources, in order to mimic real-world conditions. However, we quickly noticed a key issue: many players tended to skip over the information on the game cards and simply performed game actions without absorbing the educational content. This realization prompted us to rethink how we could better integrate learning into the mechanics of the game. The challenge, of course, was to ensure that the game remained fun and engaging.

As a team, we aimed to make the game replayable, which added an additional layer of complexity. Unlike many classroom games that don’t require replayability, this requirement forced us to think more deeply about how to maintain player engagement while ensuring educational value. In the end, we redesigned certain aspects of the game’s aesthetics and mechanics. We modified the layout and design of the cards in a way that compelled players to read the information in order to make informed decisions during gameplay. This introduced a bit more friction but also significantly increased the game’s educational impact.

From this experience, I learned that designing a successful game requires a holistic view of all its components. It’s not just about the mechanics; sometimes the aesthetics can also play a crucial role in solving design challenges. Additionally, I gained a deep appreciation for the importance of consistent playtesting. This process revealed the need for continual adjustments, a lesson that applies not just to game design but to any user-centered creation. Through repeated playtesting, we refined the mechanics and improved the game’s flow, ensuring that it effectively conveyed the basics of fish reproduction. While it was occasionally difficult to watch players struggle with certain aspects of the game, this feedback was invaluable in making the game more intuitive and educational.

About the author

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.