Aim It High 2D Android-Based Game: An Educational Game for GAS Students of STI College Alabang

Introduction

“The success of complex video games demonstrates that games can teach higher-order thinking skills such as

strategic thinking, interpretative analysis, problem solving, plan formulation and execution, and adaptation to rapid

change.” – Federation of American Scientists (FAS)

For decades, video gaming has become well-recognized by the people of the world.

Originating at research laboratories as a means of study, British Professor A.S. Douglas created

OXO or tic-tac-toe in 1952 for doctoral dissertation at University of Cambride, followed by a

game called Tennis for Two which was created by William Higinbotham in 1958 for a yearly

visitor’s day at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, and Steve Rusell’s Spacewar! in

1962 at Massachusetts Institute of technology – it is a computer-based game and first ever video

game that can be installed on multiple computers. Indeed, video game inventions never halt

coming. Aside from computers, video games can be played on television. First invented by

developers at Sanders Associates, Inc. on 1967, a multi-player video game system called “The

Brown Box” existed. In 1983, a major crash happened in the video game industry which led to

bankruptcy of many home computer and video game console companies. It was then that

Nintendo, a Japanese company that began as a playing card manufacturer in 1889, came to the

US. The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) upgraded 8-bit graphics, colors, sound, and

gameplay over the past consoles. They are also responsible for the unleashing of remarkable

video game franchise like Super Mario Bros. Over the next years, video gaming was brought to

home consoles, handheld consoles, arcade systems, and mobile devices. [CITATION His17 \l 13321 ]

When it comes to mobile phone games, a game called tetris first came to familiarity in

1994. It was installed in Hagenuk MT-2000, a phone by Hagenuk Corporation in Denmark.

Aim It High 2D Android-Based Game: An Educational Game for GAS Students of STI College Alabang

Tetris was followed by a mobile game launched by Nokia in December 1997. A very popular

and successful game called Snake. In 2007, the invention of Apple’s first ever iPhone with a 3.5-

inch touchscreen display, paved a new way for mobile gaming. After that, App store and Play

Store was set in motion which kept on producing successful mobile games. Now, the mobile

game industry keep on growing and even used purposefully like in the area of Education.

[CITATION Wan \l 13321 ]

Educational games on the other hand, started on 1970 when Seymour Papert and William

Fuerzeig developed a computer programming game – a combination of Mathematics and

Programming, called Logo. But the Educational game that is considered popular was Oregon

Trail, created by MECC and launched in 1971. Educational games continually evolved ranging

from different purpose and subjects. Some games are used for teaching Math, Reading,

Geography, Science, Life Skills and Strategies, and a lot more variety of Educational games.

[ CITATION Jer21 \l 13321 ]

Integrating video games in Education as a mode of learning has a lot of benefits. It gives

a more appealing style of learning by stimulating the students into enjoyment. That is why,

lessons can never be boring and students can retain more information effectively. It is also been

studied that by means of Educational games, critical thinking is improved. Aside from the given

subject in the game, it also teaches technical skills because by playing, an individual may

become more interested in technology.

In lieu with this, the researchers took an interest of developing a two-dimensional

android-based educational game for GAS students of STI College Alabang. The purpose of this

study is to create a game that will help the students in learning through a fun way.