Merging games and culture together as a potential learning tool

Abstract

This research sets out to combine games and culture together as a potential learning tool. The aim for this project is to take the interactive medium of games and propel it within a fun and learning environment that blurs the lines between theme, play and visuals. Identifying key objectives such as being able to understand why good games are the way they are, why games could be used as learning tools and how one can merge culture and games proved fruitful for this project. The game design aspect as well as the visuals together with the theme of Maltese mythology and folklore proved to be a great mix of media to work with. Alterations to the workflow via the use of multiple plans as well as conducting various playtesting sessions, assisted in keeping the project true to its roots. Although the project did suffer from some drawbacks in planning, ultimately the end result served to be a key example of why one should consider games for bringing culture, narrative, visuals and education together successfully. Future developments of such a project would focus purely on managing better the multitude of tasks involved in this game's development.