The effects of game design on students’ creative performance in video game environments

Abstract

Although some researchers have suggested that video games such as Minecraft have the potential to foster student creativity, little is known regarding how educational games should be designed to effectively promote creativity. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop an educational game by modifying Minecraft and evaluate the effects of two game design features, challenge and autonomy, on the in-game creative performance of middle school students. A creativity support game intervention was implemented with 88 sixth-grade students. The results revealed that games incorporating challenge and autonomy had a positive influence on students' in-game creative performance. This impact was observed to be mediated by two factors: creative self-efficacy and engagement. Findings of the current study suggest that designing educational games with specific features can enhance students' creative performance within the game environment.