Woodment: Web-based collaborative multiplayer serious game

Abstract

Recently, a lot of research has been investigated in the field of Collaborative Learning. On the other hand, Massively Multiplayer Online Games and browser games are a popular and commercially successful game genre. However, Browser Games commonly do not use the latest 3D web technology. Our simple idea is to combine learning concepts from the field of Serious Games with promising game technology for the development of browser-based Multi-User Learning Environments. Based on a brief introduction and state of the art analysis summarizing the latest trends in Collaborative Learning and Multiplayer (Online) Games in Chapter 1 and 2, in Chapter 3 we introduce methods and concepts of Woodment as a browser-based Serious Multiplayer Game to teach and explore a customizable learning content in a game-based and playful manner. Chapter 4 provides technical aspects and features of a first prototypical implementation of Woodment. Finally, in Chapter 5 the main achievements and first evaluation studies are summarized and further Research and Technology Development steps are pointed out. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.