A narrative-driven design approach for casual games with children

Abstract

This paper proposes a design approach to build casual games by children for children. Children understand game narratives with previously acquired schemata that is different from adults. Hence, integrating narrative developed by children themselves into game design may serve the children well. Using a narrative approach to game design based on informant design methods, the proposed approach aims to maximize the contribution of both children informants and adult designers. It comprises of three major phases, namely Narrative Design, Game Design and Design Moderation. A mobile phone game was developed based on this approach. User testing revealed that the children generally enjoyed the game and that the proposed approach has promising potential in empowering the child designers. Future work will focus on further evaluation of the approach for refinement.

An Experiential Approach to the Design and Evaluation of a Gamified Research Tool for Law in Children's Lives

“…PD is increasingly employed for designing technology for children [26,27,28,29]. Based on the assumption that children can contribute their own ideas to creative design [26], they are involved as informants, testers, end-users and cooperative inquirer throughout the entire design process [28].…”

“…Based on the assumption that children can contribute their own ideas to creative design [26], they are involved as informants, testers, end-users and cooperative inquirer throughout the entire design process [28]. Children are enabled to develop a narrative version of a game before it is implemented digitally [27] and to evaluate and redesign game prototypes iteratively with the game design and development team [29].…”

Understanding and fostering children's storytelling during game narrative design

“…Additionally, in considering game narrative design more broadly, children and adults may understand these narratives differently due to their previously acquired schemata [6]. Even very young children are able to comprehend narrative structures, and involving the children in the narrative design could ensure the resulting game is "contextually, temporally and culturally relevant to their life experiences" [6].…”

Designing children's digital games on nutrition with playability heuristics

“…Participatory design (PD) is an ever-increasing popular approach adopted for designing children's technology (e.g., [4], [16], [18]). Based on the assumption that children can contribute their own ideas to creative design, they are involved as informants, testers, endusers and cooperative inquirer throughout the entire design process.…”