1 The Virtual Gaming Simulation (VGS)

We can say that a VGS is a re-creation of an educational-oriented real-life situation that one can experience through the use of the digital technology (DT), and that is designed to engage learners. To understand the specific kind of VGS that we use in this case, we will refer to the definition provided by Verkuyl et al. (2020) where most the key elements of our simulation are highlighted:

“A 2D experience on a computer screen, where filmed actors depict a realistic clinical experience. The game is a branching scenario where the user has options (i.e., clinical decision-making based on the simulation) and can control the pace of play. Throughout the experience, the user is provided feedback for their decisions, a final score, and a summary report of each decision they made.” (p.37)

Therefore, the central features that help us to understand VGS are:

• Realism: VGS attempt to reach “a high quality in representing a person, thing, or situation accurately in a way true to life”, according to the definition of realism in the Healthcare Simulation Dictionary (Lioce, 2020). VGS is not avatar-based, but actors play the roles of the patient and other characters in the health care experience. The location is also carefully chosen so that it is realistic in different health care settings.
• First person view: The user takes the role of the professional and sees and hears the same as the main character. Thus, the player is the professional who makes the clinical decisions that affect the unfolding of the patient’s storyline. This may help the learner to explore what it feels like to be a professional in action.
• Consequence driven: A VGS is made up of a consecutive series of decision points (DP). Each DP consists of a question and a set of two to four answer options on how the user would act as a professional, outlining possible actions for the professional. The unfolding of the simulation is defined by the decisions that the student makes and the consequences of these choices. If the correct answer is chosen, the situation continues, but if an incorrect answer is chosen, an inmediate text or video feedback appears showing the consequences of the choice.