Game Design for Blockchain Learning

TL;DR

This paper introduces Blocktrain, a game designed to teach blockchain concepts through gameplay, aiming to simplify understanding of blockchain for non-technical users.

Contribution

It presents the design and pedagogical assessment of a novel educational game based on blockchain processing mechanics.

Findings

The game effectively teaches blockchain concepts to non-technical users.

Players demonstrated improved understanding after gameplay.

The game design aligns with blockchain processing models.

Abstract

Blockchain is a new technological approach that has gained popularity on the market due to its application in several areas such as education, health, security, and smart cities, among others. However, understanding how blockchain works is not easy at first, especially for non-technical people, because it relies on a non-trivial computational process. We have developed a game board - called Blocktrain - whose game mechanics are based on the blockchain processing model. This game gives people the opportunity to learn key blockchain concepts while playing. In this paper, we describe the game design process and assessment of the game as pedagogical instrument.