1. Serious Games: a proposal of taxonomy based on
the relationship between game and simulation
Valerio Eletti, Stefania Barca, Brunella Botte,
Giada Marinensi, Claudia Matera, Enrico Ruozzi
GACET’11 – Rome, 17 November, 2011

2. Introduction
e-Learning Laboratory of CATTID dedicated to:
• social learning
• mobile learning
• digital game based learning, with special
focus on simulations and serious games
In 2009 was held at Label a series of seminars aimed to the
systematization of knowledge and practice on simulations, serious
games and business games, by analyzing and comparing many
national and international experiences.
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3. The relationship between game and learning
Game
We learn first of all thanks
to the experience and the
game is a particular form of
experience
Learning
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4. Is there a relationship between game and
simulation?
Game
Is there a structured
relationship between
simulations and games?
Simulation
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5. The definition of simulation
Simulations
Allow to reproduce reality in a simplified way, so that we can better
understand why things happen and how
The studies carried out by our research group have made it possible
to define two big families of simulations:
LabSim TaleSim
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6. The definition of simulation
LabSim
A LabSim is a virtual
lab where the user
can observe, explore
and analyze a
process in order to
gain a profound
knowledge of it’s
internal mechanisms
NETLOGO
http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/
WolfSheepPredation
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7. The definition of simulation
TaleSim
In a TaleSim the user
is the actor (or one of
the actors) of the
story and/or of the
environment to
explore and there is
an explicit formative
path
VIRTUAL LEADER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy3TLyj-
HCY&feature=player_embedded#!
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8. The definition of game (1/2)
Every game is an action full
of signification; every game
Johan Huizinga, “Homo means something and its
Ludens”, 1938 applications could answer
to a lot of needs
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9. The definition of game (2/2)
Four basic type of game:
• Agon (rules)
Roger Caillois, “Les jeux • Alea (chance)
et les hommes”, 1958 • Mimicry (imitation)
• Ilinx (vertigo)
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10. The relationship between game and
simulation (1/2)
Intersection between Agon and Mimicry
Games with Imitation
rules games
Games with both
characteristics
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11. The relationship between game and
simulation (2/2)
TaleSim
LabSim
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12. The definition of Serious Game (1/2)
Serious Games
Interactive experiences with the same characteristics and structure
of a game. They could have different aims, like corporate training,
educational or social campaigns, and promotional activities.
They reproduce real situations in which using knowledge and acting
with strategy could help reaching a final goal.
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13. The definition of Serious Game (2/2)
Serious Games area
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14. A proposal of Taxonomy
Intersection between Agon and Mimicry
Role Playing Game
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15. A proposal of Taxonomy
Intersection between Agon and Simulations
Business Game
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16. A proposal of Taxonomy
Intersection of Agon, Simulations and Mimicry
Simulators
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17. A proposal of Taxonomy
Intersection between Simulations and Mimicry
Serious Game to improve Soft Skills
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18. A proposal of Taxonomy
Intersection between Simulations and Mimicry
www.intouch-project.eu
Initial situation Decision Points Feedback
Each games forseen several decision points and different feedbacks
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19. A proposal of Taxonomy
Detailed classification of Serious Games
Engine: with / Fruition mode:
without engine online / offline
Seriuos Game
Structure: User: single user /
playful / not playful multi-user
Graphical User
Interface (GUI):
2D / 3D
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20. A proposal of Taxonomy
Detailed classification of Serious Games
Fruition mode: online / offline
User: single user / multi-user
Graphical User Interface (GUI):
more often 3D
Structure: playful
Role Playing Game Engine: with
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21. A proposal of Taxonomy
Detailed classification of Serious Games
Fruition mode: mostly online
User: mostly multi-user
Graphical User Interface (GUI):
2D
Structure: playful / not playful
Engine: with
Business Game
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22. A proposal of Taxonomy
Detailed classification of Serious Games
Fruition mode: mainly offline
User: mainly single user
Graphical User Interface (GUI):
3D
Structure: playful
Engine: with
Simulators
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23. A proposal of Taxonomy
Detailed classification of Serious Games
Fruition mode: online / offline
User: single user / multi-user
Graphical User Interface (GUI):
2D / 3D
Structure: playful
Serious Game
to improve Soft Skills Engine: with
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24. Conclusion
• This taxonomy could be considered as a starting point to
define a shared background aiming to identify what
Serious Games are, and to research their best application
context
• We hope that this taxonomy could represent a first step
toward a more precise Serious Games’ classification, in
order to create a widely shared starting point for further
research in this field
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25. MORE INFORMATION
www.cattid.uniroma1.it
www.label-journal.it
label@cattid.uniroma1.it
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