GameDevDojo -- An Educational Game for Teaching Game Development Concepts

TL;DR

The paper addresses the narrow range of CS teaching approaches by introducing GameDevDojo, a Unity-based educational game designed to teach core game development concepts through interactive challenges and seven gamification elements. An AB test with 57 middle/high school students compares this game-based approach against traditional text-based learning, finding significant knowledge gains and increased motivation for the game-based method, with nuanced differences across individual questions and time-on-task. While Group B sometimes achieves higher item-level gains and there are no overall significant differences in learning increase, participants using the game report higher engagement and willingness to pursue game development as a hobby. The study supports the integration of interactive, achievement-oriented, and immersive learning tools into CS education and outlines avenues for more extensive gamification and longer-term evaluations to bolster generalizability and retention.

Abstract

Computer Science (CS) has experienced significant growth and diversification in recent decades. However, there is a lack of diversity in CS learning approaches. Traditional teaching methods and hands-on learning dominate this field, with limited use of playful and interactive learning methods such as educational games. This gap is particularly evident in game development as a subfield of CS. To address this problem, we present a game-based learning approach to teach foundational concepts for game development. The paper aims to expand the educational landscape within CSE, offering a unique and engaging platform for learners to explore the intricacies of game creation by integrating gamified learning strategies. In this paper, we investigate the user's learning experience and motivation, and the differences between traditional learning and game-based learning methods for teaching game development concepts. The study involves 57 participants in an AB test to assess learners' motivation, user experience, and learning outcomes. The results indicate a significantly increased learning outcome for the game-based learning approach, as well as higher motivation in learning game development concepts.

Figures (8)

• Figure 1: The Manual View, providing a video introducing the interaction with the application.
• Figure 2: Gamification elements: a) Acknowledgement, b) Imposed Choice, c) Novelty, d) Objectives, e) Progression, f) Renovation, g) Sensation
• Figure 3: GameDevDojo-Level Design, showing the game scenario, the goal of the level, the component view, and control buttons.
• Figure 4: Collision types preview. The thickest line indicates which collider is active and will react to the collision.
• Figure 5: The Help-View. The graphical representation provides a visual guide with additional information about missing or improperly configured components in the game.