However, dedicated serious games usually show deficits with regard to gaming fun. Dedicated serious games, on the other hand, are better tuned to reach the learning goals intended. However, the majority of the didactic scenarios is being served by dedicated serious games. Together, these disadvantages lead to only a minority of the didactic scenarios being covered by commercial entertainment games at present. Rufat and Minassian stated that simulation games can be used to learn the implemented models, but that the player does not necessarily connect the implemented models to the reality. Rather, commercial entertainment games are optimized for entertainment purposes or they reflect the attitude of the developers. As a remedy, for example, Charsky and Mims suggested that students work out the differences between game and reality after the gaming session as part of the didactic scenario. Most of the simulation models implemented in commercial entertainment games do not correspond to real systems taught. One of the disadvantages is the frequent suboptimal orientation towards the learning goals (e.g., ). Commercial entertainment games are readily accessible and offer great gaming fun. Both alternatives show advantages and disadvantages. Accordingly, Figure 1 shows the time structure of the SimCity didactic scenario described in this article), it has to be decided whether to use a commercial entertainment game or a dedicated serious game.
When choosing simulation games for didactic scenarios (the term didactic scenario in this article refers to the arrangement of teaching/learning activities, media and methods to achieve defined learning objectives in line with framework conditions such as time frames. Furthermore, the study revealed that game-based learning still faces challenges with being recognized by students as a serious learning activity. Nevertheless, the challenge of game aging should be actively addressed. Furthermore, this study indicates that even a technically complex and fast-moving medium such as a computer game can be used in a didactic scenario over a longer period with limited effort. Furthermore, it could be argued that a regional scenario can be implemented by simple means and is perceived as motivating by the students. It could also be shown that the didactic scenario motivates the students and that SimCity also generates gaming fun. The results show that SimCity 4 can still serve as a platform for exciting learning scenarios more than 15 years after its initial release. The didactic scenario shows characteristics not described in this combination in the literature to date: (1) the moderated open, simultaneous and competitive play in groups, (2) the used regional planning scenario and (3) the long, regular period of application of more than 15 years.
Students’ motivation, the didactic scenario and the perceived learning outcomes were examined with the help of a focus group discussion and questionnaires. Methodologically, a total of four events were observed. This article describes the use of SimCity in the university course Infrastructure Management, which has been in continuous operation since 2002. However, if you have a rail system in place because of its affordability but don’t want to demolish it completely, you can combine the subway and rail with a subway-to-rail connection.Simulation games offer a safe space to experiment with system models and provide learning experiences about interdependencies and thus, are considered to foster the development of a deeper understanding of systems. Building a subway is a little more expensive than having a rail, but it’s a little more convenient because it’s underground and doesn’t take space on land. All you need to do is lay down rails and have train stations placed strategically throughout your city. You can have a good rail system to really bring development to your city. You don’t have to rely only on roads for transportation for your Sims. You also have to keep in mind that there is no growth beyond three tiles from the road, so you’ll need to make sure your layout accounts for transportation planning. A good layout that starts from the roads will have your industrial tiles separate from your residential tiles as it could affect your land value. After flattening your terrain, then you’ll want to decide on the center of your city so you can work on a grid going from the center outward that stretches all the way across the map.