Gamification Vs. serious games

5 min read

Gamification Vs. serious games – The Key Difference

“No game is a game until it invokes challenge and sparks learning”, likewise in the digital game-based learning framework – the learner will have a concrete learning experience which will increase his productivity at work.

Written By

Naresh Sankaran

Published On

03 Jan 2023

No game is a game until it invokes challenge and sparks learning, likewise in the digital game-based learning framework – the learner will have a concrete learning experience which will increase his productivity at work.

Best practices in digital learning course designs aim at –

Solutions to industry specific pain points
Benefit learner to upskill & use the improved experience in their work areas
Enhance employee job performance and training ROI’s

This article speaks about –

What are serious Games – with example
What is Gamification – with example
Key difference between gamification & serious games
Common benefits of gamification & serious game

1. What are Serious Games?

Serious games are games designed with training value. Participants up-skill and apply the learning outcome practically at their real workplace. The challenge in the game is aimed at achieving or mastering a skill.

Serious games are intended to create educational and informative aims.

They focus on deeper engagement and thoughtful progress while retaining the gamification elements such as badges, point systems, leader boards etc.

Example

Simulating a Healthcare Vital Science procedure
Voice-based synthetic assistants provide feedback

Learning outcomes

Promotes the level of engagement
Nurtures emotional association to improve on the subject
Enables course correction
Creates a sense of accountability
Provides motivation for continuous improvement
Drives the focus to up-skill

Industries that use serious games extensively are

Education
Defence
Health care
City planning
Engineering
Fire Drill
Emergency management & many more

2. What is Gamification?

It is the assimilation and integration of gaming mechanics, concepts & elements into eLearning. Gamification uses fun as an effective learning tool.

Example

The learners must complete the first eLearning module to unlock the next module
Participant will be given badges/rewards to boost their morale and build on sense of achievement

Learning outcomes

Enables social behaviour
Promotes learning
Inspires healthy competition
Creates room for expression

Industries that use Gamification extensively are

Marketing
Health care
Education & training
Technology design and many more

If the two eLearning strategies can be explained using 2 terms: Goal and Vision then

Gamification = Goal

3. Gamification and serious games – The Key difference

In a digital game-based training system it is important to consider 2 aspects

Technical aspect
Learning impact

Before getting into designing of the game, if these two aspects are misaligned to the need of the learner then the objective and learning outcome is not achieved as desired.

Instructional design frameworks help increase

Scope of explicit game design
Training impact
Learner’s participation level
Knowledge retention
Evaluation
Percentage of practical application of learning outcomes in actual tasks

4. 10 Common Benefits of Gamification and Serious games

Intrinsically motivate online learners
Knowledge in practice
Encourage Friendly competition
Influence learning behaviour
Facilitate error into learning
Create a safe environment
Increases retention
Promotes engagement
Skill empowerment
Fun & Learn

By understanding the meaning, difference and outcome of the 2 digital game-based eLearning strategies, designers can create

Super impactful
Realistic
Valuable and
Relevant content for their participants

Bell Immersive takes Gamified learning solutions one step ahead through VR/AR, making training scenario highly engaging for the user.

We deliver creative, interactive and highly engaging eLearning courses that provide real-time experience to the learner

To learn more about our products and services visit Bell Immersive Technologies

If our services interest you, let’s discuss more on how we could help your business – write to us Contact Bell Immersive Technologies