Both LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and simulation games have gained attraction as innovative methods for use in education and beyond. Where LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® makes use of haptic LEGO® bricks, simulation games come in many different forms. Although the two methods exist separately, the question has arisen as to what extent the two methods can create synergies in the different phases of a simulation game: briefing, game play and debriefing. To be able to answer this question, a four-hour workshop with fifteen simulation gaming experts from Germany, Switzerland and Austria was held. Based on the three phases of a simulation game, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®-visions were developed within smaller groups to show how synergies between LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and simulation games could look like. In three discussion rounds, best practices were discussed and critical reflections derived.

The study aims to highlight the issue of “reality” within the Simulation and Gaming (S&G) domain, which has been largely overlooked. The research community has struggled to connect game experiences to realities, especially from the perspectives of game designers and facilitators. Awareness of differing perceptions of reality has grown significantly, driven in part by the rapid spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories on social media. Consequently, the realities perceived by players may differ from those intended to be shared by game designers and facilitators. However, this awareness within the S&G community is insufficient. To address this, the authors explore the issue theoretically. First, the importance of increasing awareness is explained using various concrete examples. Second, the role of facilitators, who play an essential role in the S&G process, is explored. Third, insights are derived from foundational research in this field, offering various perspectives to address the issue. Lastly, the authors emphasize the need for actively discussing the issue of realities in the S&G community and reiterate the associated risks.

This theoretical study discusses a novel approach to debriefing that incorporates embodiment into the traditional debrief process. Debriefing is a key activity for processing game experiences, as it enables clarification, the transfer of game learnings from working memory to long-term memory, and the integration of new knowledge with existing cognitive schemas. Embodied debriefing can offer a new perspective on designing debriefing for simulation games, taking into account human bodily predispositions and environmental influences. We conceptualized it as a process that occurs after a simulation game session (or its parts), when participants reflect on their experiences and analyze the outcomes, deploying modes of embodied cognition—bodily movements, gestures, and interactions with the environment. In the paper, we discussed three modes of embodied debriefing: role-play exercise, creative process, and bodily representations within space. Therefore, when designing debriefing sessions, it is valuable to allow participants to engage in embodied modes of representing thoughts and reflections, such as gestures, pointing, touching, tracing, drawing, and larger body movements, which support the learning process.

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for modeling in-game events in serious games, integrating game design, simulation, and educational theories. Serious games serve as tools for learning and problem-solving by simulating real-world scenarios, requiring structured in-game events to enhance engagement and decision-making. The study explores the classification and role of in-game events, distinguishing between player-triggered and system-generated events and their impact on gameplay dynamics. The paper delves into various event modeling techniques, such as Finite State Machines, Event Sourcing, and Behavior Trees, influencing player interactions, narrative structures, and adaptive game mechanics. Additionally, it examines the balance between randomness and player control, emphasizing how unpredictability can foster engagement while maintaining a sense of agency. Insights from game theory and psychology highlight how random elements can shape player experiences, impacting motivation and learning outcomes. The study addresses the challenge of balancing complexity and engagement in game design. The interplay between randomness and structured events is crucial for maintaining immersion while preventing frustration. The paper also discusses iterative design methodologies for optimizing serious games, ensuring meaningful and effective player experiences.