Electronic Commerce Group Institute for Software Technology and Interactive Systems Vienna University of Technology Favoritenstraße 9-11/188-1. 1040 Vienna.

EElectronic lectronic CCommerce Groupommerce Group

Institute for Software Technology and Interactive Institute for Software Technology and Interactive SystemsSystems

Vienna University of TechnologyVienna University of TechnologyFavoritenstraße 9-11/188-1 . 1040 Vienna . Favoritenstraße 9-11/188-1 . 1040 Vienna .

Austria/EuropeAustria/EuropeTel.: +43 (1) 58801 - 18822, Fax: +43 (1) 58801 - Tel.: +43 (1) 58801 - 18822, Fax: +43 (1) 58801 -

1889618896http://www.http://www.ecec.tuwien.ac.at.tuwien.ac.at

Design and Evaluation Design and Evaluation of a Serious Game for of a Serious Game for

Immersive Cultural Immersive Cultural TrainingTraining

Josef Froschauer, Ingo Seidel, Markus Gärtner, Helmut Berger, Dieter MerklJosef Froschauer, Ingo Seidel, Markus Gärtner, Helmut Berger, Dieter Merkl

Vienna University of TechnologyVienna University of Technology

Outline

Motivation What‘s so Serious about Games? Game-based Learning Design of ICURA

Gameplay Video Evaluation Conclusion and Future Work

2

Motivation

Video games are part of our culture

3D Virtual Worlds have the potential to

expand knowledge of a foreign country

Combine aspects of learning and fun

Great opportunity to teach

„Cultural Diversity“

3

Games, Seriously?

4

A mental contest, played with a computer in accordance with specific rules, that uses entertainment to further government or corporate training, education,

health, public policy, and strategic communication objectives.

A mental contest, played with a computer in accordance with specific rules, that uses entertainment to further government or corporate training, education,

health, public policy, and strategic communication objectives.

„

“ Mike Zyda: "From Visual Simulation to Virtual Reality to Games“, 2005

Some Examples...

Educational, Corporate, Political & Religious, Healthcare, Government, Military...

5

Tactical Iraqi Virtual Iraq

Game-Based Learning

Follows a constructivist perspective

Knowledge is constructed, not transmitted to the user.Learner plays an active role in the learning process.

Highly motivating

Increases the motivation and compels the player to think about,

organize and use information. („stealth learning“)

6

What is ICURA?

7

ICURA - Immersive Cultural Training

Serious Game that is targeted at understanding contemporary Japanese culture and etiquette.

3D adventure game that teaches cultural awareness in a safe environment.

Learner plays an active role in the learning process. (Constructivist learning theory)

A 3D e-Tourism Environment

8

Game-like e-Business application that enables interaction between participants including trading of tourism products.

Book flights, hotels, take part in auctions, talk to other travellers...

Design of 3D Virtual Environment (Torque Game Engine)

Some additional content...

http://www.itchy-feet.org/

Some Itchy Feet Screenshots

9

In-Game Movie

10

Design Principles 1/2

5 design principles for ICURA

I. Integrating a constructivist perspective:

Learner plays an active role in the learning process

II. The player‘s motivation:

Leveling-up, adaptability of the game‘s difficulty, clear goals, interaction with other players, shared experience

11

Design Principles 2/2

III. Usability:

„the degree to which a player is able to learn, control, and understand a game.“

II. The Agent principle:

The idea of a „Virtual Tutor“

I. The element of fun

80% rate the „element of fun“ as important (Michael 2005)

12

Evaluation of ICURA - Goals

13

5 Steps: pre-questionnaire, pre-test, playing ICURA, post-test, post

questionnaire.

How much information does the game communicate? (Comparison of pre- and post-test results)

Associations with the term „Serious Game“

Does ICURA spark the interest in Japanese culture? (Questionnaires)

Evaluation Results 1/3

20 participants, 16 male, 4 female

Average age: 29, heavy computer users, but only 3.15 hours a week playing computer games.

9 people have never heard the term Serious Game before, the rest associates it with learning and education.

ICURA is „Fun to play“ (4.2 out of 5)

Did spark interest in the Japanese culture (3.55 out of 5)

14

Test Question

You want to enter a temple in Japan. What do you have

to keep in mind?

To wear traditional Japanese clothing To wash your hands before entering Only enter, if the temple priest requests you to do so To cover as much skin as possible To put on the slippers provided at the entrance

15

Evaluation Results 2/3

16

17

Future Work

18

http://vsem.ec.tuwien.ac.at/

Kamsa Hamnida, Arigato, Xièxie, Thank You!

Contact:

Josef FroschauerEmail: josef.froschauer@ec.tuwien.ac.atWeb: http://www.itchy-feet.org/ or http://vsem.ec.tuwien.ac.at/

19