Sojourner under Sabotage: A Serious Testing and Debugging Game

TL;DR

Sojourner under Sabotage introduces a browser-based serious game that teaches software testing and debugging through an RPG-like spaceship scenario, integrating an in-game IDE and seven progressively challenging levels. A two-session study with 79 undergraduates demonstrates that the game boosts motivation and engagement while supporting skill development, though experience level influences task difficulty and debugging performance. The work contributes a novel game design that integrates unit testing and debugging, plus rigorous evaluation metrics (coverage, mutation, smells, and usability). The findings suggest serious games are a promising approach for making essential software engineering practices engaging and accessible, with clear directions for future improvements and broader validation.

Abstract

Teaching software testing and debugging is a critical yet challenging task in computer science education, often hindered by low student engagement and the perceived monotony of these activities. Sojourner under Sabotage, a browser-based serious game, reimagines this learning experience by blending education with an immersive and interactive storyline. Players take on the role of a spaceship crew member, using unit testing and debugging techniques to identify and repair sabotaged components across seven progressively challenging levels. A study with 79 students demonstrates that the game is a powerful tool for enhancing motivation, engagement, and skill development. These findings underscore the transformative potential of serious games in making essential software engineering practices accessible and enjoyable.

Figures (13)

• Figure 1: Sojourner under Sabotage during an interaction between the player and the accompanying robot, which is reporting a sabotaged component
• Figure 2: Code editor integrated into the game for writing tests (shown in picture), but also for debugging and fixing
• Figure 3: Code editor of Sojourner under Sabotage after writing tests
• Figure 4: Code editor of Sojourner under Sabotage while debugging
• Figure 5: Minigame of Sojourner under Sabotage to open doors between levels