THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DESIGN THINKING AS A DESIGN METHOD IN EDUCATIONAL GAME DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The popularity of educational games as learning tools continues to rise, thanks to their ability to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. However, the development methodologies for these games have not kept pace with their increasing popularity. Many developers face challenges in choosing approaches that are not only effective but also adaptive to user needs. This study examines the potential of design thinking as an alternative methodology for developing educational games. As an innovative approach rooted in UI/UX design, design thinking offers an iterative, user-centered framework through five key stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. By conducting literature reviews, comparative analyses, and case studies, this research proposes a design thinking-based methodology for educational game development. Validation was conducted through the development of an educational game focused on pathfinding algorithms. Evaluation results using the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) indicated scores of 2.15 for attractiveness, 1.77 for dependability, and 1.81 for stimulation, all categorized as excellent. Meanwhile, the aspects of novelty (1.76), perspicuity (1.95), and efficiency (1.87) were categorized as good. These findings suggest that the design thinking-based methodology holds promise as an effective and adaptive approach for educational game development.