Computer game based learning - SimComp

Abstract

This report is the result of a computer architecture simulation game development project. The goals of the project were to develop conceptual ideas for a game that could be used in teaching computer architecture at a university level and develop a prototype of game. The game should be based on simulation and the BSPlab simulator. Two types of simulation games were identified; observer and participant. The observer type puts the player outside the simulation and the participant type puts the player inside the simulation. The observer type of simulation game was selected as best suited for a game about computer architecture and simulation. Three conceptual ideas for types of observer simulation games were developed; Computer Tycoon, which puts the player in charge of a company. Computer Manager, which puts the player in the role of manager of a computer team and Computer Builder, which lets the player construct a computer city. The Computer Manager idea was developed further. The player is put in the role of the manager of a computer team. The team competes in a league against other teams, playing a series of matches against each other. A ranking system shows how well the teams have done and in the end of the series a winner will be declared. This is similar to a football-league. A simple prototype of the Computer Manager idea was designed and implemented in Java for use in evaluation of the idea.