Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
FiGuRe 2.9
In the social game
FarmVille
, players grow crops and interact with each
other online to keep moving forward in the game.
playing for Fun and to Learn
Learning theory suggests that we learn more and learn better when we have some
fun doing it. Based on that theory, game designers are developing better-designed,
more interesting educational games. Because these games aren't dull or boring,
they have more staying power (people want to play them, and the more you play,
the more information sticks).
The value of learning by playing is being embraced by more than the educa-
tional industries. These types of games are developed now to help train workers
as well as students.
Most designers have
adopted the term
digital game-based
learning
instead of
educational com-
puter games
.
serious Games
Although this category sounds foreboding, serious games can be fun. Essentially,
you can think of them as games that have problems designed into them that
