Game Elements-Attributes Model: a First Step towards a Structured Comparison of Educational Games

Abstract

Research on the comparison of different design options and implementation choices for digital educational games (DEGs) is lacking, despite the possibly crucial impact of these options on the learning outcome. Although game features with the potential to support learning have been identified and reported in the literature, an underlying comprehensive game model, providing structure for a comparison study and ensuring completeness in covering of all relevant features, is needed. To address this issue a literature search for game models was conducted and the resulting models were analysed for their applicability in this case. Several limitations and shortcomings of the existing models drove us to develop the Game Elements-Attributes Model (GEAM) by consolidating game definitions and models identified from an extensive literature review. GEAM can serve as a foundation for the comparison of DEGs or digital games in general, but may also be valuable for other areas of game studies.