E-learning with docugames: AE2 Commander

Abstract

This paper describes outcomes from user acceptance testing of AE2 Commander ² – a docugame released as alpha software in April 2011 by ECU’s Research Centre for Transformational Games. Docugames form a genre of serious games that employ digitised copy of historical sources as part of the game narrative. The design and development of AE2 Commander began in 2009, when the authors received an Ian MacLean Award ³ from the National Archives of Australia (NAA) to build an authentic role-play game based on the exploits of the World War I Australian submarine AE2. The design brief required the designers to develop a strategy for incorporating digitised copy of archival records held by the NAA and to measure the e-learning and engagement outcomes that were achieved with the docugame format.

In an earlier Archives and Manuscripts article, the authors introduced the methods and technologies of computer game design and development used to produce AE2 Commander. ⁴ This paper reviews the learning outcomes that have been achieved with the game and the player reaction to the inclusion of authentic digital recreations of historical source records. The topic is significant within the context of e-learning, but also more generally, as many cultural heritage institutions seek new ways of engaging audiences through the leveraging of serious games.