Gamification and Serious Games
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with the basic skills to be able to design and develop a game. In this course, the term game is used in its broadest sense, although to test the skills learned, the mechanisms and characteristics of board games and abstract games will be analyzed in particular.
The process of designing a game will be analyzed through a formal modeling of its mechanisms and their interactions. In addition, notions will be learned about all the other phases in the development of a game that precede or follow its design, such as the identification of the purposes, the conception of the original idea, testing, implementation and final distribution.
The process of developing a game is studied from a goal-oriented perspective, not necessarily linked to the market. Particular attention will be paid to the use of the game medium as a tool for achieving educational objectives and personal and social development.
The process of designing a game will be analyzed through a formal modeling of its mechanisms and their interactions. In addition, notions will be learned about all the other phases in the development of a game that precede or follow its design, such as the identification of the purposes, the conception of the original idea, testing, implementation and final distribution.
The process of developing a game is studied from a goal-oriented perspective, not necessarily linked to the market. Particular attention will be paid to the use of the game medium as a tool for achieving educational objectives and personal and social development.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to independently and/or in a group design and develope a game in its basic mechanisms and components, contextualising it from the very first moment with regard to the purpose for which it is being designed and in relation to the client and his expected results.
Lesson period: Second four month period
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second four month period
Course syllabus
History of games and games in history
Definition of game
Mechanics, interface and theming
Taxonomy of games
From analog to digital and vice versa, hybrid games
Board games, role-playing games, storytelling, setting, game and culture
Mathematical games and abstract games
Planning and design of a game
The design process and its formalizations
Uncertainty in the game
Game mechanics
Dynamics and flow
Engagement mechanisms
Formalization of mechanics
Resources, constraints, transfers, tracks
Entangled choices
Components
Accessibility and inclusivity
Visibility, memory and cognitive load
Intrinsic, derived and erroneous difficulties
Visual and cognitive fatigue
Formal analysis of games
Deconstructing a game
Playtest, techniques and methods
Developing a game
Formalizing the rules
Serious Game
Gamification
Game based learning
Game for training
Game for education
The game market
Definition of game
Mechanics, interface and theming
Taxonomy of games
From analog to digital and vice versa, hybrid games
Board games, role-playing games, storytelling, setting, game and culture
Mathematical games and abstract games
Planning and design of a game
The design process and its formalizations
Uncertainty in the game
Game mechanics
Dynamics and flow
Engagement mechanisms
Formalization of mechanics
Resources, constraints, transfers, tracks
Entangled choices
Components
Accessibility and inclusivity
Visibility, memory and cognitive load
Intrinsic, derived and erroneous difficulties
Visual and cognitive fatigue
Formal analysis of games
Deconstructing a game
Playtest, techniques and methods
Developing a game
Formalizing the rules
Serious Game
Gamification
Game based learning
Game for training
Game for education
The game market
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Class lessons and exercises
Teaching Resources
Course slides
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam is a colloquium. It aims at verify the level of competences acquired and the student capability in facing autonomously problems related to the course topics. During the course, exercises will be assigned, the evaluation of which will contribute to the final mark.
Professor(s)