A method to study purposeful game design process

Abstract

Demand for designing effective purposeful games for education, healthcare and social change is increasing. However, the underlying processes used in the design of effective purposeful games are understudied. Prominent among these, is the need to understand strategies that designers use to translate content into gameplay. We propose a method to elicit strategies used by designers. Our method uses protocol analysis within an experimental setup to study the purposeful game design process. This paper describes the implementation of the method, and the rationale for our decisions. The method was validated through a set of pilot studies. Through the results of these studies, we discuss the adequacy and limitations of the method and the modifications required. The results of the pilot study provide insights into the game design process. They suggest that our method is capable of revealing strategies used by designers in translating content from problem space to game elements. The main contribution of our work is the selection, adaptation and demonstration of a method to study game design practice in-situ, and thereby create a methodological foundation to discover processes and strategies for effective purposeful game design.