What game design?
Though the ultimate purpose of these interactive products is not gaming for its own sake, game design rules should still be applied with the same care exercised in designing a more traditional video game. Here are a few such rules to keep in mind: • A theme suitable for the targeted audience, particularly regarding age groups • Game objectives that are simple to understand, and that offer true fulfillment (new features) • The availability of tools (game features) allowing the player to reach his goal • The development of an environment with consistent rules and behavior • The progressive discovery of the use and limits of the available tools through experimentation • An intuitive interface inspired by standards expected by players • A feedback mechanism allowing the player to assess his progress • An appropriate handling of difficulty, pace and replay value. However, such applications will also need to include specific features unique to their academic function: • A deep tutorial mecha
