Imagine walking through a room. It’s dark, and in the distance, you hear a beeping sound. Your task is to locate the source of the beeping, find out what’s causing it, and turn it off. This could be the beginning of a gripping 3D e-learning module. After all, you’re not really in a dark room, and no machine is actually beeping. In reality, you’re sitting at your desk in front of your computer, working through your next health and safety module, compliance training, onboarding session—or something else entirely.
But in fact, you’re moving your avatar through the space, just like in a video game, solving tasks and puzzles in order to “win” the game. And almost without noticing, you’re learning something in the process. Sounds good, doesn’t it? And thanks to 3D technology, it’s within reach.
From storytelling to logic trees – what makes up a 3D concept?
A concept for a 3D learning game involves more than simply preparing the learning content in an educationally sound and engaging way. The game, the learning material, and every decision made by the players or learners must follow a logical structure. Take the mysterious beeping, for instance. It might turn out to be a smoke detector that has picked up smoke. Perhaps you choose to switch it off—but is that really the right decision? Every choice you make in the game affects the progression of the story.
These possible decisions and their consequences are mapped out in what’s known as a logic tree—essentially a list of “what if” scenarios and their outcomes. Naturally, you’ll want to win the game, and perhaps you will. But straight afterwards, you might be curious: What if I’d chosen differently? 3D learning games offer the chance to practise and try out various scenarios—even in different roles. The learning content can be delivered through direct hands-on experience or more traditionally via integrated videos, text, and graphics.
The right tool
Creating 3D games requires specialised authoring tools, as the spatial environment, player avatar, and other (computer-controlled) characters must be developed in 3D. The gaming industry already offers tools that are just as effective for the world of e-learning.
From there, it’s often just one click to a Virtual Reality (VR) application. Using a VR headset and accessories, the 3D learning game can be taken to the next level. And going back to our example—you might suddenly find yourself (almost) actually walking towards that beeping sound in a darkened room.
What’s possible?
The environment can look like your actual company premises, or like a shopping centre, cinema, warehouse, office, private home—whatever you can imagine. Multiple rooms can be connected, and entire buildings can span several floors, accessible by stairs or lift. Transitions between different buildings are also possible. The more freedom of movement required, the more complex the production.
Perhaps you want players or learners to speak with computer-controlled characters to gather information or practise conversation scenarios. These characters can move through the space along preset paths or perform specific tasks, such as typing at a workstation.
If you take it a step further, you might prefer the option of having multiple colleagues participate as players, in which case a variety of multiplayer scenarios become possible. In a shared network, several players can log in at the same time and interact with one another.
Learning like in a video game
Movement, perspective (first-person or third-person), and functionality in a 3D learning game are just like those in a video game. The high level of interactivity and free movement invites exploratory learning—often unconsciously boosting motivation and enjoyment. This is particularly beneficial for complex, challenging, or traditionally “dry” topics.
Just like web-based trainings, 3D games can be expanded and enhanced at will. And thanks to the many possible solutions and outcomes, most learners are naturally encouraged to play through the game more than once.
Let’s return to that original example. If your 3D learning game really does begin in a dark room with an eerie beeping in the background—doesn’t your pulse rise just a little? Don’t you want to know why the room is dark, where the sound is coming from, and what you’re supposed to do next? That suspense stays with you until the very end—guaranteed.