Shining Light on Colors: Using a Puzzle Game to Teach Additive Color Theory

Abstract

Game-based learning is rapidly transforming the educational landscape by providing engaging supplementary tools to students around the world. A problem area where game-based learning has not been empirically studied is the subject of additive color theory. Can a puzzle video game increase players’ knowledge of additive color theory? This paper describes how a puzzle game can be designed in order to teach this topic. The puzzle game prototype Temple of Starlight was developed, and an evaluation of its effectiveness at teaching was performed. The evaluation was done online following a within-subjects study design, where the participants answered questions about additive color theory before, immediately after, and a week after playing through the game prototype. Two analyses were performed: first one comparing the amount of correct answers from before playing the game and right after playing; and the second one comparing answers from before playing and a week after playing. Results showed a significant increase in knowledge of additive color theory, both right after (N = 37, p = <.001) and a week after (N = 30, p = <.001) playing through the game prototype. This suggests that the game prototype could be used as valuable supplementary material for teaching additive color theory in learning environments.