Understanding the Elements of Challenge and Skills in Educational Games

Abstract

Although researchers suggest that games have a positive experience in a learning outcome, there is still a lack of investigation on the potential of game mechanics for better flow experience and learning outcome. According to the literature, the flow state in the game creates player engagement which leads to a positive learning outcome. Based on flow theory, challenge and abilities are two crucial game elements to achieve a flow state. This paper discusses the importance of conflict and competition in generating challenges. In gameplay, the players use their abilities demanded by the game to complete the challenge. This paper discusses the role of different skills required to play the game, and through these abilities, the players learn. This paper explains the correlation between challenge and various skills needed to play games. Conflict can be the better approach to generate the challenge because it is endogenous. Knowledge is a crucial ability to incorporate into educational games. This paper also explains the role of prior knowledge, and it is observed that the player achieves a better learning outcome if the game demands some prior knowledge to play the game.