2026-04-20T09:42:20Zhttps://riubu.ubu.es/oai/request

oai:riubu.ubu.es:10259/95182024-08-01T00:05:24Zcom_10259_5377com_10259_5086com_10259_2604com_10259_4219col_10259_5378col_10259_4220

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Martínez García, Kim author Checa Cruz, David author Bustillo Iglesias, Andrés author 2024-01-08 Research into the design of serious games still lacks metrics to evaluate engagement with the experience so that users can achieve the learning aims. This study presents the new EPUX metric, based on playability and User eXperience (UX) elements, to measure the capability of any serious game to maintain the attention of players. The metric includes (1) playability aspects: game items that affect the emotions of users and that constitute the different layers of the game, i.e., mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics; and (2) UX features: motivation, meaningful choices, usability, aesthetics and balance both in the short and in the long term. The metric is also adapted to evaluate virtual reality serious games (VR-SGs), so that changes may be considered to features linked to playability and UX. The case study for the assessment of the EPUX metric is Hellblade, developed in two versions: one for 2D-screens and the other for VR devices. The comparison of the EPUX metric scores for both versions showed that (1) some VR dynamics augmented the impact of gameplay and, in consequence, engagement capacity; and (2) some game design flaws were linked to much lower scores. Among those flaws were low numbers of levels, missions, and items; no tutorial to enhance usability; and lack of strategies and rewards to increase motivation in the long term. 2079-9292 http://hdl.handle.net/10259/9518 10.3390/electronics13020281 2079-9292 Serious games Game design Game evaluation Game engagement Virtual reality Development of the Engagement Playability and User eXperience (EPUX) Metric for 2D-Screen and VR Serious Games: A Case-Study Validation of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice