Structural change and digital transformation bring with them many challenges and exciting opportunities. In this context, ongoing digitization, and high levels of technologization require new approaches in continuing education and also in numerous apprenticeship occupations. Students operate complex machines or accompany automation processes in numerous fields of activity. It is becoming increasingly clear how helpful and important digital learning opportunities are for in-company training. But how can trainees train solution orientation in a playful way and firmly anchor technical knowledge? And in a motivating and innovative way?
This is where we from espoto come in because we not only develop location-based game and quiz software. We also develop games based on our espoto Game Based Thinking method and act as consultants. We organize workshops for game development processes and teach basics on game design, storytelling, puzzle design, escape games and more.
A little more than a year ago we started our biggest contract work so far. And we are now close to the finishing post. Here we are dealing with the question: How can training processes be successfully accompanied by serious games? And at the same time optimally complement classic training content? In this interview with our serious game designer Marius Meissner, we would like to take you into the development process of “SolarCity”. The serious game was designed and developed in cooperation with the Renewables Acadamy – RENAC for short. RENAC is one of the leading international providers of training and capacity building on renewable energies and specializes in energy efficiency. In this case, the focus is on environmentally friendly solar power in a global context, because the digital learning format “SolarCity” is intended to provide targeted support for inspectors of photovoltaic systems on their training path. For us, this cooperation is also one of 3 larger serious game projects with third-party software. The entire development process was extremely exciting, and we are all very happy with the result.
Do you want to know how SolarCity was created? And how this point & click adventure game is revolutionizing the training of PV inspectors? Then let yourself be inspired and read more here in our interview with Marius:
“Serious games can be an ideal supplement to classic theoretical and practical training elements. Real situations from everyday work are staged in a digital world. The example of “SolarCity” shows how effectively trainees can immerse themselves virtually in a wide variety of scenarios. The acquired knowledge is trained in a playful way and the trainees work on versatile problem-solving strategies. And they do so without worrying about making serious mistakes that have a direct negative impact. “SolarCity” is an example of how Game Based Thinking can be used to create solutions that offer companies real added value in personnel development.
Our espoto Game Based Thinking method is a mixture of the successful methods Design Thinking and Game Based Learning. This is the basis for our Serious Games – creative game concepts that create digital worlds on a realistic foundation. Users educate themselves through play and can develop complex problem-solving strategies with ease. This gives trainees confidence and is fun at the same time! As a passionate game developer and experiential educator, I’m looking forward to helping shape these digital learning processes in an exciting way.”
“SolarCity” is a point & click adventure game. The storytelling takes the players into the fictional world of a city where there are many renewable energy plants. These are to be inspected by the players. In addition to roles, locations, and the basic story, we looked at the specific requirements for such a game based on the learning elements available so far and selected suitable game mechanics so that the four different elements that need to be simulated are also applied in the game. These include visual inspection, measurement, analysis and interpretation.”
“Before the project, there was a get-to-know-you session with participants from RENAC. We were enthusiastic about their blended learning approach with practical workshops, including various experimental setups of photovoltaic systems and the professional online courses with vivid videos. In order to take a closer look at what can be improved at this high level, one must always refer to the SAMR model from the education sector to see where an expansion could bring real added value.”
“In the discussions and joint analyses, it quickly became clear that we could create new learning approaches for the topic of photovoltaic inspection with the help of gamification and serious games, since abstract models and, above all, measurement processes and error causes can be simulated here. Due to the decentralization of learning processes, digital learning media – as already tested by our partner RENAC in their online courses – can be improved here by the gain of simulations that can be carried out in the own learning space. We quickly agreed that we would optimally complement this offer with the development of an individual serious game for the training processes.”
Do you want to innovatively complement your traditional training and education? Do you want more sustainability and entertainment in your learning offer? The possibilities to enrich this with serious games or gamification are versatile. We bring playful lightness into complex contexts, that is our passion. In addition, we offer workshops and provide companies with complete game developments – from the idea to the graphics to the final implementation.
Has our article inspired you? Or do you have the idea that our offer could also playfully complement your processes? We are looking forward to the exchange!
The interview with Marius Meißner was conducted by Christina Engel
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espoto GmbH
Am Luftschiffhafen 1
14471 Potsdam
Tel: (+49) 30 555 700 480
Email: info@espoto.com
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