A serious game is proving to be a highly effective tool for schools, universities, and training organizations. By integrating gamified approaches into education, it’s possible to develop transversal, analytical, and relational skills.
But what exactly is a serious game? How does it differ from a traditional one? Let’s find out—through real examples and the contributions of VITECO, a company specialized in LMS development, serious games, and SCORM conversion.
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What is the purpose of a serious game?
As the name suggests, the primary goal of a serious game is to teach and train—rather than focusing solely on entertainment. Unlike mainstream genres such as FPS or RPGs, serious games combine instructional content with gamification techniques.
A serious game stands apart from a traditional video game not in its ability to entertain, but in its power to foster learning and critical thinking. For example, it can teach math through a virtual store simulation or raise awareness of social issues like waste management through recycling gameplay.
Key differences from traditional video games
Whereas traditional video games often aim to offer an escape from reality, serious games serve a different purpose: transferring knowledge and developing practical skills for real life.
Thanks to extended reality (XR) technologies, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), serious games can provide an even more immersive experience than traditional games.
Another major difference is the presence of educational objectives. Players aren’t just passive spectators—they actively influence the game’s outcomes through their choices. In a historical game, for example, a wrong decision might lead to an alternate timeline, offering a new perspective on real events.
Examples of serious games
Many companies around the world are creating serious games. Heromask by EDinventa uses VR headsets to teach children foreign languages. Monster Numbers by Didactoons Game blends adventure and arithmetic to boost children’s math skills.
One of the most well-known examples is Minecraft Education Edition, developed by Microsoft. It enables students to explore science and history in a block-based digital world.
VITECO’s serious games
VITECO, a software house specializing in edutainment (a blend of education and entertainment), is a leading developer of serious games in Italy—serving schools, universities, and training centers.
Over the past 20 years, VITECO has developed dozens of serious games, funded by Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), and more making it the ideal partner for those looking to innovate through play.
Some of VITECO’s most notable titles include:
- RISE: A virtual university campus simulates real-life dialogues and scenarios to raise awareness among young people about digital dangers like revenge porn and scams.
- The Algebraic Garden: A side-scrolling platformer where the player runs and jumps across objects by solving algebraic challenges.
- Building a City: Players take planning quizzes before being hired to design villages and towns—great for exploring urban planning concepts.
- Deli Shop: Available on PC, iOS, and Android. Teaches math through point-of-sale simulations.
- The Math Princess’ Tower: The goal is to rescue a princess trapped in the 15th room on the third floor of a tower—by solving math challenges.
- Moneybox: Count how much money you’ve saved after each round. Euro coins come in and out through 10 levels (Level 1).
- Trip Europe: Explore Europe and discover new destinations. Available on PC and mobile devices (iOS, Android).
Each of these games is designed to be intuitive and engaging. VITECO uses PlayCanvas WebGL development environments—perfect for use in educational institutions.
Why choose VITECO to develop your serious game?
Schools, universities, and training providers consider VITECO a top partner in designing and deploying high-impact serious games. These tools not only improve student engagement but also align with European funding program priorities.
Investing in a serious game means investing in students’ futures—offering tools that combine learning with fun. With VITECO, educational institutions can make their programs more interactive, inclusive, and effective.
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