Mapping Learning and Game Mechanics for Serious Games Analysis in Engineering Education

In a world where students are increasing digitally tethered to powerful, always on mobile devices, new models of engagement and approaches to teaching and learning are required from educators. Serious games (SGs) have proved to have instructional potential, but there is still a lack of methodologies and tools not only for their design but also to support the game analysis and assessment. This paper explores the use of SG to increase student engagement and retention. The development phase of the Circuit Warz game is presented to demonstrate how electronic engineering education can radically be reimagined to create immersive, highly engaging learning experiences that are problem-centered and pedagogically sound. The learning mechanics-game mechanics framework for the SG game analysis is introduced and its practical use in an educational game design scenario is shown as a case study.