Table 1. Characteristics of GBL GBL... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1.

Characteristics of GBL

GBL category	GBL characteristic	Short description
Learning support	Tutorial	Guided learning of game mechanics, sandbox play, explicit and implicit direction
	Support	Help guidelines, forums, help buttons, in-game guided corrections, players supporting players, teacher guidance
	Challenge/variability	Different levels of difficulty, extended gameplay, levels of gameplay
Assessment	Reward/positive reinforcement	Increase in score, badges, avatar modifications, unlock of new levels, digital coins, candy or treats, location on leaderboard, player lives
	Penalty/negative reinforcement	Decrease in health or strength or score, end of game, time restrictions, loss of rewards
	Feedback	Notifications, music cues (e.g. ticking clock), haptics, game health
Learner control	Control over gameplay	Following different paths, completing side quests
	Game choice	Customize an avatar, changing language preferences, selecting weapons
Immersion	Sensory elements	Music, 3D visuals, computer interface, boxes to physically unlock, rumble pack
	Digital immersion	Augmented reality, virtual reality, GPS, virtual world
Interaction	Collaboration	Real or virtual teams working together for a common goal
	Competition	Real or virtual individuals or teams working against each other
	Other communication	Interaction with computer characters, two-way chat feature
Narrative	Storytelling/narration	Storyline or game cohesion that provides contextual information for learning

GBL category	GBL characteristic	Short description
Learning support	Tutorial	Guided learning of game mechanics, sandbox play, explicit and implicit direction
	Support	Help guidelines, forums, help buttons, in-game guided corrections, players supporting players, teacher guidance
	Challenge/variability	Different levels of difficulty, extended gameplay, levels of gameplay
Assessment	Reward/positivereinforcement	Increase in score, badges, avatar modifications, unlock of new levels, digital coins, candy or treats, location on leaderboard, player lives
	Penalty/negativereinforcement	Decrease in health or strength or score, end of game, time restrictions, loss of rewards
	Feedback	Notifications, music cues (e.g. ticking clock), haptics, game health
Learner control	Control over gameplay	Following different paths, completing side quests
	Game choice	Customize an avatar, changing language preferences, selecting weapons
Immersion	Sensory elements	Music, 3D visuals, computer interface, boxes to physically unlock, rumble pack
	Digital immersion	Augmented reality, virtual reality, GPS, virtual world
Interaction	Collaboration	Real or virtual teams working together for a common goal
	Competition	Real or virtual individuals or teams working against each other
	Other communication	Interaction with computer characters, two-way chat feature
Narrative	Storytelling/narration	Storyline or game cohesion that provides contextual information for learning

Source: Adapted from Nadolny et al., 2020