Proposing a Serious Game Design Model Towards Maritime Competency Development

Abstract

In maritime domain, interactive and authentic learning environments are needed for competency development of seafarers. This study aims to propose and pilot test a serious game design model which is specific to maritime domain for enhancing the utilization of maritime serious games. In this study, Serious Game Design for Maritime (SGDM), a holistic model to support the design of maritime serious games is firstly proposed. Using the SGDM model, Maritime Leaders at Sea (ML@S), a 3D serious game to enhance the leadership and teamwork skills of young seafarers and maritime students, has been prototyped as a case study. ML@S is conceptualized as a module of the created Maritime Gamentor platform. The compliance test of ML@S proves that SGDM holistic model enables the preliminary design of ML@S in compliance with the STCW requirements and industrial expectations. Further maritime studies can follow the proposed methodology to design additional serious game-based modules for mentoring on maritime skills.