Abstract:

In this paper we present the work of GreTICE (Group for Research on Information Technology and Communication in Education) of University of Girona, which is participating in the design and creation of "Legends of Girona" to be a Serious Game used in the classroom as a teaching resource. This game has been made in collaboration with GiLab (Graphics & Imaging Laboratory), also of the University of Girona. The users of this new game will be the students between the upper primary school and the first cycle of secondary school (between 10 and 14 years).

The project began to develop from the project CONTIENE "Content Intelligent Applications of Virtual Reality. Technical perspective and global illumination "(TIN2007-68066-C04-01) funded by EMED - Ministry of Education and Science (MEC) in the TIN program- PN of information technology. It continues his evolution into the TIN project 2010-21089-C03-01 "Digital content for serious games: creation, management, rendering and interaction" (CICYT-MEC).

From the educational field, the project is based on the study of use of videogames as entertainment teaching resource. We conducted a study on the preferences of young people and teenagers because, based on the analysis of the results could be designed as would be the future game. As a result of the analysis of the responses was prepared a comprehensive report that gave clues about how the game could be better.

The theme chosen was the Legends of Girona. The main character can move between actual Girona and the medieval Girona, and can live a different adventure in each legend. This idea allowed us to develop a proposal motivating (adventure, open spaces, interaction ...) that offers general educational aspects (decision making, problem solving, resilience, concentration,...) and curricular (history of the medieval Girona, French invasions,...). With all these ingredients we begin to write a script that would be the backbone of the game.
Using it, the technical team began to make some decisions, for example, the game engine, the 3D representation of the current Girona and Girona's medieval and the application of their studies and progress on and lighting applied to video games.
Since then, the work of the teaching staff and the technical team has been developing in parallel and in constant coordination, been done the graphic design and 3D modeling of characters and scenes, 3D reproduction of Girona, movements of characters, soundtrack, recording dialogues, implementation of all elements in the game engine.
After a process of internal testing and reviews, we have made a small survey of satisfaction among beta-testers players. The initial assessments are very positive. The game is liked by 93% of the players. They emphasize that it is funny, entertaining and promotes various skills. They said that they would like to use it at school or institute because it has helped them to learn history and legends of Girona.
The full text of the paper will give more details on the analysis of the data.

Keywords:

Videogame, serious game.