Circle of Interactive Media  Actions, reflected in the interface  How the actions impact relevant systems  How systems produce feedback, outcomes, results communication options action

Human Computer Interaction

“Learning to Do” vs. “Learning to Know” Simulations Games Immersive Learning Computer Games Serious Games Educational Simulations

a typical “Sim” example

Simulations  Massive multi-players  Real-world environments  Informal learning  Social networks  Circle of Interactive Media Sims Second Life

You can’t learn to ride a bike from a book! Simulations Games Immersive Learning Computer Games Serious Games Educational Simulations

Immersive Learning Simulations  Branching story  Interactive spreadsheets  Practice-ware  Real-time Strategy  God games  Side quests? Mini games?

Mastery in the “real world” Simulations Games Immersive Learning Computer Games Serious Games Educational Simulations

 Develop real skills through emergent learning  Single, multi, or massive multi player  Design based as part of larger program  Can scale from mini-game to complex

Practice-ware

Increasing awareness through “edu-tainment” Simulations Games Immersive Learning Computer Games Serious Games Educational Simulations

Serious Games  Making learning “fun”  Diagnostic vs. instructional  Repurposed traditional content  Scaled small for easy access  Designed to be addictive

Serious Games  Influence  Explanation  Message / Editorial  Marketing  Commerce (Buy IT!)  The use of game technology for deepening brand engagement

Games for Entertainment Mediated by technology Simulations Games Immersive Learning Computer Games Serious Games Educational Simulations

The World of Computer and Video Games

How Entertainment Games differ from Serious Games  Optimized for the engagement of players  Tend toward high-conflict situations  More abstract situations  Abstract interfaces  Pure fantasy and escapism

Some of our favorite “genres”  First person shooters (fps)  Real time strategy (rts)  Role playing games (rpg)  Puzzle, arcade, casual gaming  Racing games  God games  Sports

Some of our favorite “genres”