The use of computer games as an educational tool: identification of appropriate game types and game elements

Published in the British Journal of Education Technology
By Alan Amory, Kevin Niacher, Jacky Vincent and Claudia Adams

The method they used to determine what type of game is most enjoyed by undergraduate students was to have 20 students play 4 games of different types :

• strategy
• "shoot-em-up"
• simulation
  
• adventure

The students answered a questionnaire after the experience related to:

• enjoyment (sounds, graphics,storyline, technology, etc.)
• skills (logic, problem solving, memory, etc.)
• game play (addictive, boring, too difficult, too easy, etc.)

The 3-D adventure game was ranked the highest in all aspects, along with the strategy game.
These 2 games we're also mentioned to have more interesting story lines. This supports the argument that such elements motivate the player, and promote effective learning.
Simulation game was ranted poorly by students (possibly due to a confusing interface and lack of immediate feedback).
(The effectiveness of the adventure game - see page 8 of pdf)

The study showed that the simulation game was the only one which proved to be difficult to play by the students. Also, all but the simulation game proved to be challenging and addictive.