Field Notes (8): Learning from FPS Design

'First-Person Shooters' as a Resource for Serious Video Game Design

Field Notes: Highlights digital tools, articles, books, and resources for historiographical video game design and production.

Many historians might initially view first-person shooter (FPS) games skeptically, associating them with gratuitous violence and superficial content. This aversion is understandable, given the primary focus of FPS games on weapon-based combat and fast-paced action. However, FPS games' gameplay mechanics and immersive design elements offer valuable insights that can be harnessed to create better historiographical video games.

As a genre, FPS games are focused on weapon-based combat from a first-person perspective, allowing players to experience the action through the protagonist’s eyes. These games feature immersive 3D graphics and fast-paced action and require quick reflexes and precise aiming. FPS games typically include single-player campaigns and multiplayer modes, where players can compete or cooperate online. A firm grounding in FPS mechanics can significantly enhance the design of video games that prioritize learning and engagement over violence.

Adaptive Difficulty and Player Engagement

FPS games use adaptive difficulty to tailor the gaming experience to individual players’ skill levels, ensuring that all players remain engaged and challenged regardless of proficiency. FPS designers incorporate adaptive difficulty levels to keep players challenged at the right level, preventing frustration and maintaining interest.

In serious historical games, this design element can translate into adaptive learning experiences, where the game adjusts complexity based on the player’s understanding of historical content. For instance, quizzes, puzzles, and challenges could become more sophisticated as players demonstrate mastery of historical facts and narratives.

Adaptive difficulty is a cornerstone of FPS game design that ensures players remain engaged by adjusting the challenge level to match their skills. This concept can be seamlessly integrated into historical games to enhance learning experiences. For instance, as players demonstrate mastery of historical facts, the game can present increasingly complex challenges, such as more sophisticated quizzes or puzzles.

Conversely, if a player struggles, the game can provide hints or simplify tasks, ensuring that all players can enjoy a tailored and effective learning journey regardless of their initial proficiency. This dynamic adjustment keeps players in a flow state, maintaining their interest and motivation to continue learning.

Character and Story Design

Effective character and story design are crucial for player immersion in any game. In serious historical games, characters that are accurately based on historical figures can enhance authenticity and engagement. Relatable characters with rich backstories can help players connect emotionally with the historical context, making the learning experience more personal and impactful. Additionally, the development of characters and narratives over time can maintain player interest as they become invested in the characters’ journeys and the unfolding historical events.

Progression Systems and Learning Incentives

Additionally, progression systems reward players for their efforts, providing a sense of accomplishment and encouraging continued play. Together, these strategies form the backbone of a compelling FPS game. Mechanisms such as leveling up, unlocking new content, and receiving rewards for achievements can similarly incentivize learning in serious historical games. These rewards can range from unlocking new levels and narratives to gaining virtual artifacts or achievements.

FPS progression systems can be mirrored in historical games to incentivize learning. Players could earn experience points, level up, and unlock new content as they progress through historical narratives and complete educational tasks. Rewards might include access to new historical periods, additional storylines, or virtual artifacts that provide deeper insights into the past. By creating a sense of accomplishment and giving tangible goals, progression systems motivate players to invest time and effort in learning, transforming educational content into a compelling game.

Feedback and Reward Systems

Immediate feedback and reward systems are vital for maintaining player motivation. In FPS games, players receive instant responses to their actions, which helps them learn and improve upon the skills necessary for success within the game world presented. Similarly, in historical games, providing real-time feedback on quizzes, puzzles, and tasks can guide players and reinforce learning. Rewards for achievements, such as badges or virtual artifacts, offer a competitively identifiable recognition of players’ efforts, further motivating them to engage with the educational content.

Concluding Thoughts

By incorporating these core engagement strategies from FPS design—adaptive difficulty, progression systems, character and story design, and feedback and reward systems—serious historical game developers can create immersive and educational experiences. These games captivate players and effectively educate them about historical events, making learning a dynamic and enjoyable process.

References

Xu, Mingrui. “An Analysis of How First-Person Shooting Games Retain Players of All Skill Levels.” Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media 39, no. 1 (January 22, 2024): 76–81. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/39/20240667.