Educational games have the power to inspire, educate, and connect people in meaningful ways. Our Future Citizens game events held in Italy and Romania, showcased just how effective this medium can be, with participants praising the game for its creativity, teamwork, and innovative approach to learning. However, to maximize its impact, we’re taking on board all the feedback provided to strike the perfect balance between fun and education.
What Participants Loved About the Game
Participants were thrilled with the interactive elements and the collaborative spirit of the game. Many enjoyed the way the game brought people together, allowing them to engage in creative problem-solving and teamwork. “I loved the interactive team challenges,” shared one participant, highlighting how the game fostered a sense of unity and companionship.
The game’s ability to blend education with entertainment was another highlighted positive aspect. As one player put it, “I liked that this game is not only educational and useful but also funny.” The game’s unique tasks, which encouraged participants to interact with strangers and explore the city, were a hit. “Enjoying the city by talking and discussing with local citizens made the experience so unique,” said another, praising the game’s ability to connect players with their surroundings and with each other.
What should be improved?
While the game received praise for its innovative concept and collaborative spirit, participants also offered suggestions on how to enhance the overall experience, ensuring it remains both fun and educational.
One of the suggestions was, to infuse more dynamism into the game. While players loved the interactive elements, some felt that the game could benefit from even more dynamic and varied content. “It could be made more dynamic,” suggested one participant, encouraging us to explore new formats beyond the traditional question-and-answer style. Ideas like using AI image recognition to identify local plants or incorporating local landmarks into challenges were proposed. These elements could make the game more engaging by adding unique, place-based learning experiences that keep the game fresh and exciting.
Another aspect for improvement was to tailor the content for different age groups.
Participants expressed a desire for the game to cater to a wider range of age groups more effectively. “The target group should be more narrowed down,” one player noted, suggesting that the game could be customized for different age levels. By adapting the language, tasks, and themes to suit children, teens, and adults separately, the game could become more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. For example, simpler language and concepts might appeal to younger players, while more complex scenarios could engage adults more effectively.
The game’s narrative and feedback system were identified as areas that could use refinement. Players enjoyed the story’s unique and creative aspects but felt that it could be more cohesive and engaging. “Round out the story with flashbacks, consequences, and a compelling ending,” one participant suggested. Additionally, participants called for more personalized feedback during the game. “Making it more personal would make the game more enjoyable,” was a common sentiment. This could involve giving more human-like, motivating feedback to keep players engaged and eager to continue.
Balancing Fun and Education for Greater Impact
Overall, the feedback revealed a deep appreciation for the game’s innovative approach to combining fun with education. Players loved the creativity, the teamwork, and the interactive elements that pushed them out of their comfort zones. At the same time, there are clear opportunities to make the experience even better by refining the game’s structure, narrative, and feedback mechanisms.
By embracing these suggestions, we aim to create an even more dynamic, inclusive, and impactful educational game that appeals to a broader audience while maintaining the fun and engagement that our participants loved. Stay tuned for exciting updates as we continue to evolve and improve the game!
Stay with us https://www.europeanfuturecitizens.eu/ , get in contact with our local partners for further local events or visit https://futurecitizens.eu/play to get started!
