Sideffect gameplan: A gamified, branching narrative experience for alcohol and other drug education

Keywords

education, drugs, alcohol, AOD, alcohol and other drugs, gamification

Non-Traditional Research Output

Recorded or Rendered Creative Work

Document Type

Non-Traditional Research Output

Date of Publication

2022

Location of the Work

https://sideffectgameplan.com.au/

Research Statement

Research Background

Sideffect Gameplan represents world leading, instrumentalised creative practice through the development of the first animated and gamified, alcohol and other drug (AOD) educational module for use in high schools. The project drew from best practices for education from the AOD evidence base, through consultation with West Australian youth and experts in the AOD field. The creative process explored methods of creating an engaging, animated and gamified AOD educational experience for Australian youth to discover the concept of harm minimisation in relation to AOD and provokes users to consider how they may approach AOD use in the future.  

Research Contribution

Through iterative consultation with a representative sample of West Australian youth, three unique branching narratives were constructed that aimed to be relatable and relevant to the target teenage audience. The branching narratives provide the user with decision making tasks and a level of autonomy throughout the experience. These narratives were brought to life using state of the art motion capture animation rendered through the Unity game engine. Six class worksheets and plans were constructed to facilitate classroom discussions about the narrative content. The entire package was compiled to be accessible via a web browser and the total six week module directly aligns with the Australian year nine and ten health curriculum. 

Research Significance

The iterative design process has been accepted as two peer reviewed journal publications which outline the narrative and game design processes. The project has received state and national recognition through WAITTA incite and national iAwards. The project is now published through the Sideffect website and testing is underway investigating the modules as a public educational resource. 

Medium

Online gamified branching narrative

Publisher

ECU Simulation and Immersive Digital Technology Group, Sideffect Australia

School

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) / School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

57992

Event Title

Sideffect Gameplan

Additional Information

  • Users must register for an account to access some parts of the website.
  • Six lessons for classroom delivery.

Duration

45 mins each lesson

Comments

Hopper, L., Nicholas, J., Watson, J., Brook, L., Hansen, S., Scott, J., Bright, S., & Mills, B. (2022). Sideffect gameplan: A gamified, branching narrative experience for alcohol and other drug education. Sideffect Australia Limited. https://sideffectgameplan.com.au/

Copyright

free_to_read

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS