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Create free accountWhitepaperSerious Games Society
There is a critical need for rigorous quality assurance in educational software. A new framework addresses this by providing a comprehensive, multi-dimensional model.
Key problem. A standardized evaluation framework for serious games has been developed to address the need for quality assurance.
The development of a standardized evaluation framework for serious games addresses the critical need for rigorous quality assurance in educational software. By synthesizing findings from 29 foundational academic articles, this research establishes a comprehensive, multi-dimensional model designed to assess the educational efficacy of games throughout their entire lifecycle. The framework spans four primary stages—preparation, pre-production, production, and post-production—ensuring that pedagogical goals are integrated with technical and aesthetic requirements from inception to final implementation.
The resulting evaluation instrument comprises 25 distinct components and 138 indicators, offering a granular approach to assessing factors such as pedagogical alignment, user experience, technical fidelity, and adaptivity. Validation of this model involved a two-tiered process: expert review by 30 specialists and confirmatory factor analysis based on data from 537 industry professionals. The instrument achieved high statistical reliability, evidenced by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.98, confirming that the identified variables are both robust and significant in determining the overall quality of serious games.
This framework serves as a vital resource for developers and researchers seeking to bridge the gap between game design and educational impact. By providing a structured, evidence-based methodology, the tool enables stakeholders to systematically evaluate how specific design choices influence learning outcomes. Ultimately, this research offers a holistic, scalable solution for improving the quality of serious games, ensuring that development efforts are consistently aligned with established educational standards and user-centered design principles.
European Conference on Games Based Learning (ECGBL) · 2026