Emerging digital media, games and simulations: a challenge for open and distance learning

In this article we examine the state-of-the-art research related to digital media in education and evaluate the information concerning a new generation of students that are communityminded and technologically savvy, highlighting the innovative technology behind the new interaction and communication processes, and assessing the challenges for Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Where traditional distance education is based on the completion of carefully graded assignments and tests, today games, simulations and virtual environments may become safe platforms for trial and error experimentation. With games the chance of failure is high, but the cost is low and the lessons are learned immediately and with greater emotional impact. However, these conditions may become more difficult to address when the volume of users increases from small to medium, large or extra-large. Dealing effectively with tens or even hundreds of thousands of students in absentia requires following very sound organizational principles and good technical implementation, systematic monitoring of deviations from established norms, regular audition of users' comments and criticisms, careful analysis of final results. In this emerging scenario, involving digital media, games and simulations, ODL systems must have means of establishing rich connections with each member of the universe of users. In this sense we propose using a virtual space with multiple places, in ways that use the Internet, social applications, games and mobile devices to involve students in pedagogical activities

Beyond cute: exploring user types and design opportunities of virtual reality pet games

Virtual pet games, such as handheld games like Tamagotchi or video games like Petz, provide players with artificial pet companions or entertaining pet-raising simulations. Prior research has found that virtual pets have the potential to promote learning, collaboration, and empathy among users. While virtual reality (VR) has become an increasingly popular game medium, litle is known about users' expectations regarding game avatars, gameplay, and environments for VR-enabled pet games. We surveyed 780 respondents in an online survey and interviewed 30 participants to understand users' motivation, preferences, and game behavior in pet games played on various medium, and their expectations for VR pet games. Based on our findings, we generated three user types that reflect users' preferences and gameplay styles in VR pet games. We use these types to highlight key design opportunities and recommendations for VR pet games

Social gaming: A systematic review

Digital games often constitute a shared activity where people can spend time together, communicate and socialize. Several commercial titles place social interaction at the center of their design. Prior works have investigated the social outcomes of gaming, and factors that impact the experience. Yet, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how social gaming has been approached and explored before. In this work, we present a systematic review covering 263 publications, gathered in February 2021, that study gaming experiences involving more than one person, with a focus on the social element that emerges among partakers (players and/or spectators). We contribute with a systematized understanding of (1) how the topic is being defined and approached, (2) what facets (mainly in terms of outcomes and determinants of the experience) are being acknowledged and (3) the methodologies leveraged to examine these. Our analysis, based on mixed deductive and inductive coding, reveals relevant gaps and tendencies, including (1) the emphasis in novel technologies and unconventional games, (2) the apparent negligence of player diversity, and (3) lower ecological validity associated with totally mediated evaluations and a lack of established constructs to assess social outcomes

Can we escape the metaverse?: Should we?

In view of the strong market presence and leverage of major corporations involved in this topic, the most straightforward answer to the questions above is “No”. Nevertheless, multiple perspectives should be considered. Thus, along this article we reflect about the concept of “metaverse”, what parts of it exist today, and what is foreseen that makes this concept a much discussed game changer.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Undercurrents – A Computer-Based Gameplay Tool to Support Tabletop Roleplaying

This paper introduces Undercurrents, a computer-based gameplay tool for providing additional communication and media streams during tabletop roleplaying sessions. Based upon a client-server architecture, the system is intended to unobtrusively support secret communication, timing of audio and visual presentations to game events, and real-time documentation of the game session. Potential end users have been involved in the development and the paper provides details on the full design process

Raising awareness on Archaeology: A Multiplayer Game-Based Approach with Mixed Reality

International audienceOur research deals with the development of a new type of game‐based learning environment: (M)MORPG based on mixed reality, applied in the archaeological domain. In this paper, we propose a learning scenario that enhances players' motivation thanks to individual, collaborative and social activities and that offers a continuous experience between the virtual environment and real places (archaeological sites, museum). After describing the challenge to a rich multidisciplinary approach involving both computer scientists and archaeologists, we present two types of game: multiplayer online role‐playing games and mixed reality games. We build on the specificities of these games to make the design choices described in the paper. The proposed approach aims at raising awareness among people on the scientific approach in Archaeology, by providing them information in the virtual environment and encouraging them to go on real sites. We finally discuss the issues raised by this work, such as the tensions between the perceived individual, team and community utilities, as well as the choice of the entering point in the learning scenario (real or virtual) for the players' involvement in the game

Transition to 3D social networking

In this paper we analyse the theoretical under-pinnings underlying collaboration in virtual environments and propose a 3D Virtual World (VW) approach to the construction and facilitation of communities of practice within the context of social innovation. Although connected networks can emerge from 'flat' 2D Social Networks, while face-to-face meetings have been proven successful to undertake innovative entrepreneurial ventures, the 3D VW approach possesses affordances that can be exploited to augment the experience. We propose a model for a 3D Virtual World, as part of the Euro South Hub project, that facilitates the social innovation experience through collaboration and the setting up of communities of practice, using the Virtual Environment to move towards producing solutions for a better physical world.peer-reviewe