Reducing students' misconceptions about video game development. A mixed-method study

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Sikorski, Łukasz, Matulewski, Jacek
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Sikorski, Łukasz
Matulewski, Jacek
author_facet Sikorski, Łukasz
Matulewski, Jacek
contents This study examines students' naïve mindset (misconceptions) about video game development, idealized and inaccurate beliefs that shape an unrealistic understanding of the field. The research evaluated the effectiveness of a fifteen-hour-long lecture series delivered by industry professionals, designed to challenge this mindset and expose students to the complexities and realities of game production. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative analysis with a prototype quantitative tool developed to measure levels of misconception. Participants included students (n = 91) from diverse academic backgrounds interested in game creation and professionals (n = 94) working in the video game industry. Findings show that the intervention significantly reduced students' naïve beliefs while enhancing their motivation to pursue careers in the industry. Exposure to professional perspectives fostered a more realistic and informed mindset, taking into account the understanding of the technical, collaborative, and business aspects of game development. The results suggest that incorporating similar expert-led interventions early in game development education can improve learning outcomes, support informed career choices, and mitigate future professional disappointment.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2511_00407
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Reducing students' misconceptions about video game development. A mixed-method study
Sikorski, Łukasz
Matulewski, Jacek
Human-Computer Interaction
Computers and Society
Software Engineering
This study examines students' naïve mindset (misconceptions) about video game development, idealized and inaccurate beliefs that shape an unrealistic understanding of the field. The research evaluated the effectiveness of a fifteen-hour-long lecture series delivered by industry professionals, designed to challenge this mindset and expose students to the complexities and realities of game production. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative analysis with a prototype quantitative tool developed to measure levels of misconception. Participants included students (n = 91) from diverse academic backgrounds interested in game creation and professionals (n = 94) working in the video game industry. Findings show that the intervention significantly reduced students' naïve beliefs while enhancing their motivation to pursue careers in the industry. Exposure to professional perspectives fostered a more realistic and informed mindset, taking into account the understanding of the technical, collaborative, and business aspects of game development. The results suggest that incorporating similar expert-led interventions early in game development education can improve learning outcomes, support informed career choices, and mitigate future professional disappointment.
title Reducing students' misconceptions about video game development. A mixed-method study
topic Human-Computer Interaction
Computers and Society
Software Engineering
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.00407