Vitamins on Mission

Our team has developed a game that is open and free-to-play for all the targeted students with a poor understanding of the different types of vitamins with their respective deficiencies in our Form 2 (Grade 8) Science National Curriculum Syllabus in Malaysia. In terms of frugal and playfulness aspects, the development of this educational game is at zero cost. However, it needs considerable technical skills and development time. Therefore, the design principles of creating educational value and promoting playfulness in learning adopt diversified modes to make games more interesting. By clicking the correct answers, it will turn to the next slide of the game, while the wrong choice will require the students to replay the game and the bar shows their achievement throughout the game.

Besides, the game is built for everyone regardless of their geographic location, and the game is capable of running within a web browser on almost any personal computing device. Lastly, the game was tested by a sample who had shown an improvement of 28.6% in his post-test after playing the game. In conclusion, this has shown the impact and achievement in understanding different types of vitamins and their respective deficiencies in the subject of science.

Before the test, the identified student has a poor understanding of the different types of vitamins with the effect of respective deficiencies. This is supported by his pre-test result. After playing the game, the student’s understanding of the subtopic was improved. This is supported by the result of the post-test score which is higher by 28.6% than the pre-test score. This game can be classified as a tool within a broader context of playful practices as this game invited students to use varying possibilities, to alternate or to choose, and thereby move between media in a more effective way.

Adopting a playful aspect as a paradigm, this is a visual novel game based on a boy named Sam. He is an ordinary 14-year-old teenager until he discovers the ability to see monsters that are invisible to others. Soon enough, he discovers that he can even summon vitamin A, B, C, and D’s souls. His power cannot be kept secret for long. He becomes the well-known Monsters Demolisher and gladly accepts a mission that offers him coins to last him a lifetime. Students can help him to complete the mission! Play alongside Sam to help the vitamin souls to defeat the monsters! Let’s join Sam’s battle to defend your health!

Adopting the frugal aspect as a paradigm, this game was developed with zero cost. Thus, this makes the game an open and free-to-play game for all targeted students with the said learning problem. Students can play it repeatedly by clicking on the mouse. Students selecting the correct answers will lead them to the next game slide, while the wrong choice will require the student to replay the game. Besides, the game is built for everyone – mainly rural area students regardless of their geographic location, and the game is capable of running within a web browser on almost any personal computing device.