Showcase: Escape room created with Articulate Storyline 3

Jun 18, 2018

In the last couple of months I have been developing the i-Learn Escape Room; a Game-based learning intervention that replaces the outdated Welcome on Board E-learning from my employer Ewals Cargo Care. In this first ever post from me on the Articulate community I would like to share my story with you.

The i-Learn Escape Room is a digital representation of our very own i-learn room located at our head office in Tegelen. Unlike real life escape rooms, the i-Learn Escape Room does not use any time limits. One of the many decisions we took in order to facilitate the best learning circumstances possible, in which exploratory and activated learning is stimulated.

When inside the i-Learn Escape Room you need to solve 7 puzzles, varying from a suitcase - from which the combination lock code needs to be retrieved - to a bakelite weight scale that needs to be balanced. In your quest trying to solve the puzzles you will learn more about the Ewals organization and unlock some important objects. Objects that play an important part in your further escape.

Objectives

The i-Learn Escape Room has the following (learning) objectives:

  1. Give (new) employees an impression about the organization’s history.
  2. Introduce (new) employees with the 4th generation Ewals shareholders.
  3. Introduce (new) employees with the strategic position of the Ewals Group.
  4. Give (new) employees an impression of our Operations department; the beating heart of the organization.
  5. Give (new) employees an impression of the technical innovations within the organization.
  6. Introduce (new) employees with the Next Generation Logistics program; a key program of the Ewals Group.
  7. Stimulate exploratory learning amongst (new) employees.
  8. Facilitate informal learning on the working floor.
  9. Enthuse and motivate (new) employees for working within the Ewals Group.
  10. Transform (new) employees into Ewals ambassadors.

Note: The above list is limited to the 10 main objectives.

First impressions

At the time of writing, we are on the eve of releasing the i-Learn Escape Room. The first feedback from our YPP is very positive and promising.

Please see the screenshots below for a short impression of the in-game visuals and the applied game mechanics.

i-Learn Escape Room title screen

i-Learn Escape Room instructions

i-Learn Escape Room introduction

i-Learn Escape Room navigation

i-Learn Escape Room suitcase puzzle

i-Learn Escape Room weight scale puzzle

i-Learn Escape Room camera view

i-Learn Escape Room inventory

i-Learn Escape Room weight scale puzzle

i-Learn Escape Room notebook puzzle

i-Learn Escape Room scrabble board puzzle

Due to the cumbersome and non-native support for equirectangular pictures in Storyline 3, I decided to skip my primary idea in which I wanted the learner to navigate in 360 degrees horizontal and vertical. So, I´ve decided to implement a different navigation option: A compass that allows learners to change wind directions and thus navigate throughout the room.

Game-based learning

Game-based learning is related to activated learning didactics and is a proven concept for successful knowledge transfer. The i-Learn Escape Room is not the first Game-based learning that I have created by using Articulate Storyline. Earlier I have also released a Lean Six Sigma White Belt training as an interactive Game-Based story and a couple of VAT modules that make use of some typical gamification elements, to stimulate activated learning.

Finally, I'm currently developing a Lean Six Sigma 5S Simulation Game in which the learner undergoes the 5S process which is planned for release in due time. See the screenshots below for some first impressions:

5S Simulation Game title screen

5S Simulation Game instructions

5S Simulation Game 1S game

5S Simulation Game 1S feedback

My day to day tools

I really enjoy developing Game-based learning and other forms of immersive learning experiences. And Articulate Storyline belongs to my pack of best friends that allow me to do so. Please find the rest of the pack below:

  • Blender
  • Inkscape
  • Adobe Photoshop

    and
  • Adobe Premiere Pro

Closing thoughts

I hope this post is not considered too long and boring. Based upon my experiences in working with Articulate Storyline, I hope that Team Articulate will release the following functionalities in one of the next Articulate Storyline updates:

  • Native equirectangular support allowing you to import graphics with equirectangular dimensions and thus viewing it in 360 degrees.
  • Easy import of files (e.g. zip, pdf etc...) which will be enclosed when exporting to a zipped SCORM file.

Thank you for your attention, best regards,

 

Sebastiaan Vondenhoff

Let's connect on LinkedIn!

My personal page

4 Replies
Stéphanie Delfau

Wow, that looks amazing. I wish I could see the whole game. Like Lisa, if there is any prototype version with no confidential info available, I'd love to see it.

Could you tell me more about the graphics you used? Did you have them made or did you create them with Blender? I had never heard of that software. Is it relatively easy to learn how to use?

Thanks for your reply and again, great work!

Sebastiaan Vondenhoff

Hey there,

Thank you for your replies. I'll make sure to post a fit for purpose version anytime soon.

Regarding the graphics, I've designed them myself in Blender for 3D and Inkscape for 2D. Given the fact that I already had good knowledge of Autodesk 3D Studio Max, transitioning to Blender wasn't that hard. The interface takes some time to get used to. Although when starting exploring the limitless world of 3D modelling, you will definitely have to deal with the corresponding steep learning curve. But don't let that hold you back; when you've got the hang of it, you can't stop for sure!

Have a good day, regards,

Sebastiaan

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