RT Journal Article
T1 A Video Game for Entrepreneurship Learning in Ecuador: Development Study
A1 Crespo-Martínez, Esteban
A1 Bueno Ávila, Salvador
A1 Gallego Pereira, María Dolores
K1 Video game
K1 Computer game
K1 Serious game
K1 Unity 3D platform
K1 Entrepreneurship
K1 Business simulator
AB Background: Games have been a part of human life since ancient times and are taught to children and adults who want tosimultaneously have fun and learn. Nevertheless, in the third decade of this century, technology invites us to consider using videogames to learn topics such as entrepreneurship. However, developing a serious game (SG) is difficult because everyone whoforms part of the game development team requires adequate learning resources to acquire the necessary information and improvetheir game development skills.Objective: This work aimed to detail the experience gained in developing ATIC (Aprende, Trabaja, Innova, Conquista [learn,work, innovate, conquer]), an SG proposed for teaching and learning entrepreneurship.Methods: To develop a videogame, first, we established a game development team formed by professors, professionals, andstudents who have different roles in this project. Scrum was adopted as a project management method. To create concept art forthe video game, designers collected ideas from various games, known as “getting references.” In contrast, narratology considersthe life of a recent university graduate immersed in real life, considering locations, characteristics, and representative charactersfrom an essential city of EcuadorResults: In a Unity 3D video game in ATIC, the life of a university student who graduates and ventures into a world full ofopportunities, barriers, and risks, where the player needs to make decisions, is simulated. The art of this video game, includingsounds and music, is based on the landscape and characteristics of and characters from Cuenca, Ecuador. The game aims to teachentrepreneurs the mechanisms and processes to form their businesses. Thus, we developed the following elements of an SG: (1)world, (2) objects, (3) agents, and (4) events.Conclusions: The narrative, mechanics, and art of video games are relevant. However, project management tools such asleaderboards and appointments are crucial to influencing individuals’ decision to continue to play, or not play, an SG. Developinga serious video game is not an easy task. It was essential to consider many factors, such as the video game audience, needs oflearning, context, similarities with the real world, narrative, game mechanics, game art, and game sounds. However, overall, theprimary purpose of a serious video game is to transmit knowledge in a fun way and to give adequate and timely feedback to thegamer. Finally, nothing is possible if the members of game development team are not satisfied with the project and not clearabout their roles.
PB JMIR
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10433/25286
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10433/25286
LA en
NO Crespo-Martinez E, Bueno S, Gallego MD A Video Game for Entrepreneurship Learning in Ecuador: Development Study JMIR Form Res 2023;7:e49263 doi: 10.2196/49263 PMID: 37819700
NO Departamento de Organización de Empresas y Marketing
DS RIO
RD May 9, 2026