Games+Learning+Society 12 Conference

Game-based learning is often found to be technically driven and more often than not, serious games are conceptualised and designed solely for digital platforms and state of the art technologies. To encourage a greater discussion on the potential benefits and challenges of developing traditional games, that promote human centred, interactive play for learning, the authors present the Game Changers initiative. The Game Changers initiative is discussed and focus is drawn to one of its programmes titled; escapED, for developing non-digital approaches to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) game-based learning. EscapED, aids design and creation of educational Escape Rooms and Interactive Gaming Experiences for staff and students in further/higher education settings. The authors present the escapED theoretical framework as a tool to aid future design and development of on-site interactive experiences, in order to provide engaging alternatives for learning and soft skills development amongst higher education staff and students.