video games


Using turn-based combat Finally, let’s look at using turn-based combat (TBC) which is used in popular games such as Worms, Fire Emblem and Jagged Alliance. This form of combat emphasises the thoughtful placement and use of the player’s units. Combat typically takes place on a grid map that governs character placement and movement ranges. To succeed in battle, players must move their units into advantageous positions and use the combined power and skills of their units to defeat the enemy or achieve other objectives. How can we use TBC in e-learning? What TBC really boils down to is capturing


the action, something that can be difficult to bring out well in e-learning. Obviously the big draw of TBC in games is the combat itself. The user selects an ability to use or an attack they would like to complete and they select their enemy before completing the action. For a number of reasons, including violence and complexity, this may not be appropriate in the workplace. However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be using TBC. Instead why not simplify a lot of the options? Look at replicating battles through reshaping traditional multiple-choice questions – the enemy would appear on screen along with a question the learner has to answer. In order to successfully attack and defeat the enemy, the learner has to get the question right. Of course if they answer incorrectly the player will instead take damage from the enemy. Think about the possibilities you have from even a simple system like this. To


start with, you can include narrative, boss fights, bonus rounds and achievements. There are a whole host of opportunities that just require thought around the


e.learning age september 2015


shaping and presence of a turn-based system.


These are just a few concepts from the thousands of games available in the market right now that can help elevate your e-learning. While each game has its own unique engagement mechanics there are some universal ‘golden rules’ that every game tries to adopt. So the next time you find yourself on your phone playing an app, think to yourself, what is it about this game that makes me want to play it? We can learn so much in our industry from games. They are the most engaging and popular media in existence and if today’s instructional designers let this opportunity pass by, it could result in game over.


Joshua Roberts is an instructional designer at Kallidus @kallidus


The Employer’s Forum on Age: The Gap in the Workplace – Generation Y http://www.efa.org.uk/data/files/publications/504/The-Gap-in-the-Workplace-


References 1


GenerationY.pdf 2


The Deloitte Millennial Survey http://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/


global/Documents/About-Deloitte/gx-dttl-2014-millennial-survey-report.pdf 3


Career Development: The Needs of Gen Y, Hays http://www.hays.co.uk/job/ procurement-supply-chain-jobs/procurement/procurement-insights/career- development-the-needs-of-geny-1373784


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