This study evaluates the effect of gamification on the engagement and performance of first-year students in the International Supply Chain Management course at a University of Applied Sciences. Several students were exposed to the pilot of The Fresh Connection compact, a simulation game which was implemented between May to June 2025. Based on 350 observations, students are categorized as control group (without exposure to game, n = 217) and treatment group (with exposure to game, n = 133). These groups were further divided based on individual’s final grade: pass (grade ≥ 5.5) or fail (grade ˂5.5). The dataset is supplemented by a survey of students that played the game. Results show significant difference between students who participate in the game and took both exams (78
In this study, we systematically reviewed mental health-related games on the indie games platform itch.io. After initial screening and subsequent gameplay, we arrived at a dataset of 60 browser-playable games tagged with “mental health” on itch.io, which were reviewed and classified along a set of categories: targeted mental health topic, game type, player motivation type, method used, theoretical grounding, references to resources, itch.io genre, interaction style, single-player or multiplayer social presence, and playtime. Analyzing trends in this dataset, we found that anxiety and depression were the most commonly targeted issues, while the game experiences were commonly single-player interactive fictions and visual novels. Only 13.33
Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and gamification in education opens new opportunities for personalized and engaging learning. This paper presents PolyGloT, an AI-powered platform enhanced with gamified elements to support the motivation and adaptability of learners. The system offers AI feedback and adaptive content in real time to maintain engagement. We outline its rationale, core characteristics and pedagogical foundations and report on an empirical study with 48 students using the UEQ-S questionnaire. The results showed moderately positive impressions, especially in hedonic quality, while pragmatic aspects such as clarity require improvement. Lessons learned stress the need to balance innovation with usability and point to future work on interface refinement, broader evaluation, and deeper analysis of the roles of AI and gamification.
The growing use of escape games in education has led to innovative digital tools that support learning and teaching. This paper introduces the Escape Game Chatbot, a ChatGPT-based tool that assists users in co-designing educational escape games through guided narrative planning, puzzle creation, and alignment with learning objectives focused on Sustainable Development Goals. The Escape Game Chatbot aims to lower design barriers for educators and game designers lacking expertise in this context. A formative evaluation with 15 university participants indicates positive impacts on design understanding, creativity support, and the likelihood of the Escape Game Chatbot’s reuse.
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are essential in serious games for cultural heritage, where their input ensures accuracy and ethical integrity. Designers must collaborate closely with SMEs to encode cultural content into game components, often relying on structured frameworks to support and formalize this process. However, such collaboration is time-consuming, costly, and often out of reach for small or underfunded cultural projects—especially those focused on niche topics with limited audiences. This study explores the extent to which generative AI can reduce this dependency. Using ChatGPT within the Co.Lab framework, we developed Edgar à GoGo, a prototype inspired by Varèse’s Poème Électronique, combining AI-generated content with a human-authored game structure. The experiment examines how general knowledge, enhanced by selected project-specific materials, can partially substitute the traditional SME–designer dialogue. The prototype was reviewed by three SMEs familiar with the heritage item, offering insights into the coherence and completeness of the AI output. Findings suggest a hybrid workflow with AI aiding human design. While not a replacement for expert insight, generative AI may serve as a catalyst for ideation and discussion, especially in low-resource settings.
