This study analyzed the factors to consider for updating business simulation systems within the context of digital transformation driven by emerging technologies. To achieve this, a qualitative research approach was adopted, focusing on the Business Practices and Entrepreneurship System (SPEE), the leading business simulator in Mozambique, to identify critical factors for its modernization. The investigation, conducted as a single case study, incorporated a literature review, document analysis, and interviews, which revealed five key dimensions: realism, multidisciplinary approach, communication and interaction, ease of use and support, and accessibility and scalability. The research concluded that the most significant factors include the complexity of the local market, automation and operational efficiency, the level of digital literacy and technological infrastructure, the anticipation of future scenarios, and the enhancement of user experience. These findings suggest that integrating emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Virtual Reality (VR) could enhance realism, adaptability, and user engagement. Additionally, hybrid solutions combining online and offline accessibility were recommended to address technological infrastructure limitations in developing countries. The study provides practical guidelines for aligning SPEE with contemporary educational and market demands, reinforcing its relevance in higher education.

Patient activation is associated with treatment adherence, self-accountability for healthcare and a healthy lifestyle change. Mobile health (m-Health) apps can lead to greater patient treatment adherence and health behaviour change. This study aimed to evaluate the health behaviour change of elderly people through a healthcare programme focused on activation with the support of technology. Three phases were conducted: (1) pre-intervention – design of the intervention protocol and the app, (2) intervention – randomised clinical trial with 41 overweight/obese elderly people. m-Health app-supported group psychotherapy was compared with group psychotherapy only and individual psychotherapy (control) and (3) post-intervention – statistical analysis, intervention’s assistant interviews and app heuristics evaluation. By crossing the results, the study has shown that there was no significant difference in the activation level before and after intervention between groups. However, there was a significant increase from the initial mean score to the final one when considering the three groups together. Group therapy, whether with or without the support of the app, was more effective for behaviour change measured by the achievement of the goals, than individual psychotherapy. The lack of impact on group therapy with app support calls into question which and how much technology support is useful.

There has been growing development of co-creative systems for game design, where both humans and computers work as colleagues, proactively contributing with creative input. However, the collaborative process is still not as seamless as in human-human co-creativity. A key element still underdeveloped in these approaches is the communication between the human and the machine, which can be facilitated by providing the computational agent with explanatory capabilities. Based on principles of explainability for co-creative systems from previous literature, we propose a framework of explainability specifically applied to mixed-initiative scenarios in game design. We illustrate the applications of the framework by suggesting possible solutions adapted to different use cases of existing approaches and, additionally, of our own proposed approach.

Sounds play a substantial role in the experience of movement activities such as walking. Drawing on the movement inducing effects of sound, sonic interaction opens up numerous possibilities to modify the walker's movements and experience. We argue that designing sonic interaction for movement activities demands an experiential awareness of the interplay of sound, body movement and use situation, and, propose a prototyping method to understand possibilities and challenges related to the design of mobile sonic interaction. In this paper, we present a rapid prototyping system that enables non-expert users to design sonic interaction for walking and to experience their design in the real-world context. We discuss the way this prototyping system allows designers to experience how their design ideas unfold in mobile use and affect the walking.

This paper describes a case-study on the use of AGE, the Authorial Game Evolution approach, a creativity support tool designed to assist game designers. AGE allows designers to conduct a systematic process of generation and evaluation of game-prototypes, as well as automatically evolve a game-prototype until it mediates a desired form of game-play experience. To assess the tool, a design case study was held where a designer used AGE to create a game. We used a convergent mixed methods experimental design, and analysed quantitative and qualitative data resulting from four design sessions. Creativity Support Index self-report shows the designer found AGE very good in supporting his design, especially for exploration of the design-space. However, he appropriated it exclusively for exploration, not optimization. These show AGE has potential for exploring the design-space, though issues remain before it is an effective medium for high-quality designs.

Orphibs II is an Artificial Life game where the player takes the role of a caretaker of alien-like creatures called Orphibs. Each orphib is an autonomous agent that has its own personality, given by internal utility functions that can be genetically transmitted. In this paper, we present the architecture behind the agents present in the game we developed, as they feature a new mechanism built on top of a Goal-Based Behavior approach: genetic personalities. Genetic personalities introduce behavior variability for A-Life games and account for new gameplay mechanics such as artificial behavior selection. We start by surveying the state of the art regarding approaches to Multiagent Systems in videogames, in general, and Artificial Life games, in particular. We then describe the architecture behind the agents in Orphibs II, including their reasoning system and evolutionary mechanism. Finally, we present a discussion and potential future work.

Virtual Reality (VR) systems are a trend in the educational field. We can observe in academic literature that VR applications are widely adopted as Three-Dimensional Virtual Learning Environments (3D VLEs) in different fields of knowledge. However, one of the discussions highlighted in this context refers to the contribution that these environments really offer for student knowledge acquisition. In this scenario, this paper presents the results obtained from an experimental study conducted with high school students interested in learning Plane and Spatial Geometry. The volunteers explored the 3D VLE applied in the experiment, in which it is possible to create and visualize spatial figures from selected plane figures. The interactions in the virtual environment were registered for statistic analysis of the interaction level of participants. To assess the level of knowledge acquisition, a Theoretical Model for Assessment of Knowledge Acquisition was applied The results of the experiment conducted in this research indicated that it is possible to evaluate learning in 3D VLE by applying the Model abovementioned and showed that participants gained knowledge about the object of study using the 3D VLE learning method. Thus, it was possible to verify if the 3D VLEs are really contributing to the learner's knowledge acquisition.

This paper presents a preliminary model proposal for the analysis of video game level scenarios consisting of four elements: video game, players, metrics, and gaming experience. The selection of parameters from each of these elements defines a specific video game level analysis context. Initial validation of the model is being carried out with a First-person shooter video game and selected metrics (including eye movement behavior) to understand player behavior (both interactive and visual) within a game level. An additional analysis technique based on visual representation techniques applied in this validation context is also described. After validated, this model may be applied in the analysis of player behavior in game levels, in several different situations predicted in the model itself. Information acquired from the application of this model may posteriorly be used in the design (or redesign) of game levels and scenarios driven for optimal use which should generate a greater gaming experience.