Using Vitruvius as a Framework for Applied Game Design

Teaching "Applied" Game Design

“…The Vitruvius triad (utilitas, firmitas and venustas) is a framework created to analyze applied games [2]. Through an analysis the potential impact of an applied game is critiqued.…”

“…A known challenge to applied game design and development is good communication with the subject matter experts [20]. The triad is also meant to facilitate communication between game designers and subject matter experts by identifying how elements combine to arrive at a (good) applied game and creates a dialogue about how investing in one of the three will not yield a successful game [2].…”

“…Vitruvius was responsible for establishing the core principles for all ancient Roman architecture through the triadic principles of utilitas, firmitas, and venustas. Repurposed for applied game design, the philosophy is to encourage critical design awareness and offer a perspective on balancing an applied game's utilitas (purpose), firmitas (sustainability) and venustas (game-play experience) [2]. Utilitas or purpose is when a game fulfills its tactical purpose; Firmitas or sustainability is when the game is properly embedded in the context, obtainable or available to users and players, has a service or syllabus designed around it, and aims to create a perceivable impact in the chosen domain; Venustas or game-play experience is when the game provides a meaningful holistic experience (e.g., graphics, sound, game-play, etc.,) for the player.…”

“…These kinds of games are what HKU University of the Arts Utrecht refers to as "Applied Games", a term meant to include games also known as serious games, persuasive games, games for health, advergames, etc. [1,2]. Applied games are more complex to design than the typical entertainment games due to the need to blend and balance factors (i.e.…”

“…game-play experience, theory, pedagogy, sustainability, etc.) which influence the chances of the game achieving its purpose [2,3,4,5].…”