Virtual gaming simulations can be created on various platforms. The platform you choose will depend on the purpose of developing the virtual simulation. For example, some virtual simulations are created as an evaluation tool, and therefore are hosted on closed platforms that require a password and/or a financial fee. Whereas other virtual simulations are open access to anyone who is interested in the topic and has internet access.

Open access platforms follow an open pedagogy framework. Incorporating open pedagogy when creating virtual gaming simulations can provide you with the opportunity to expand, connect, and collaborate with a larger community, locally as well as internationally. Using open access platforms encourages others to reuse and adapt your virtual gaming simulation to fulfill their teaching and learning needs. Using open digital technology enhances the possibilities to share virtual gaming simulations anytime and anywhere, not just in the classroom, thereby creating sustainable teaching and learning opportunities.

Open access platforms are free to use and can be shared with other individuals under a Creative Common licence which allows anyone to freely share, adapt, and reuse the content. 

For example, creating a virtual gaming simulation on an open platform allows your learners, as well as the global community, to play the virtual simulation. Using an open platform contributes to more individuals learning the content and increases the sharing of knowledge. Depending on your open licence, other educators can share the virtual simulation with their learners and adapt the content to fit their learning outcomes and goals. It also allows users to update content as needed, which often occurs in healthcare as practices, policies, and people evolve and change continuously. Open pedagogy/platforms can foster positive changes in education and healthcare by updating practices and policies through their ability to continuously evolve. For example, incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices through the use of person-first language and anti-oppressive language.

For this open educational resource (OER), we used Pressbooks as the platform. Pressbooks will be introduced and discussed on the following page. 

Game Design Elements 

The platform you choose for your virtual gaming simulation will help to determine which game design elements to incorporate within the virtual simulation. You want to choose gaming elements that will help enhance your storyline and motivate learners to actively engage and participate in the virtual simulation.

There are various game design elements that you can incorporate depending on the platform that you choose. Free open access game design platforms include H5P [link to Page in Chapter] and Affinity Learning Community Library [link to Page in Chapter]. There are also many paid services to choose from to create your virtual gaming simulation, or you may have a web designer on your team who will be able to create your own gaming elements.

Game design elements refer to a combination of components. In a virtual gaming simulation, game design elements can include:

• The number of decision point questions in the VGS;
• The videos — for example, the type of video, the number of videos and the length of the videos;
• The use of images;
• The use of interactive questions — for example, multiple choice questions, drag and drop activities, and hot spot images;
• The feedback provided after the incorrect answers;
• The overall length of game;
• The skill level of the game;
• How intuitive the game is — for example playability, and ability to move forward; and
• The realism of the game — for example, the narrative, emotions, clinical expectations simulated throughout the game.

Your institution may have a program or team (e.g., instruction designer, game development content experts) that can support you in the development process when creating your virtual gaming simulation. The institution will be able to share what resources they have purchased, as well as outline free resources. Support from the institution may also help you to determine which platform and game design elements would work best for your goals in the virtual simulation. For example, at Centennial College, The Studio, supports educators to create open access material to support student learning.

This OER will discuss three open access platforms, including game design elements, which the authors have used and can help you build your first virtual gaming simulation.

This is where the creative fun begins!