Are you ready to drive in France?
A driving simulation game
Overview
Driving in a new country is notoriously difficult. This project is a branching scenario intended for visitors to France. The tutorial takes the learner through a driving simulation where he will face common but challenging situations. The game was developed using Articulate Storyline, Adobe XD, Twine, Adobe Illustrator and it implements xAPI and JavaScript to track learner experience and behaviors.
The problem
While I was teaching French as a foreign language, many students came to me asking for help getting their driver’s license. Passing the French driving test is notoriously difficult. It is hard enough for French people, so it is a huge challenge for people who are non-natives. In 2020, the success rate at passing the road test was only 59%. After helping them, I decided to create a dedicated training program, that I’m still developing to this day.
But what about visitors to France, who know how to drive, but need get around in the country? How to teach, in a quick but efficient way, the basics, the few rules and signs specific to France that foreigners ignore, causing accident?
Solution and design theory
Nobody wants to read about road signs. The subject in itself is not really exciting, not to say boring. I had to come up with a more engaging approach. Cathy Moore’s book “Map It” was a great inspiration. I decided to immerse the learners in a scenario where they would learn by doing.
As the character reflects on his actions during the game, the learners get some indirect feedback about their decisions. But only at the end of the game will they get a full report. They can then learn more about their mistakes and try the scenario again if they wish.
Decision drives the activity. Consequences serve as feedback. Learners can draw conclusions on their own.
The learner’s choices contribute to a hidden, overall score that determines the final outcome of the scenario.
The conclusion shows the user what parts of the game they did well in and where they need improvement.
Further information for each area of strength or weakness is provided as well as an opportunity to retry the game.
Research
Having trained students about Rules of the Road theory, I was already familiar with the specific situations that caused confusion among non-natives. I sent a questionnaire to former and present students and read reports about the most common causes of accidents on the road. After this, I was able to pick the ten most important items to cover in the scenario.
Design and Development Process
I wrote a script, and then mapped out the branching scenario using Twine. I then used vector illustrations in Adobe Illustrator to create unique illustrations for the project’s needs.
After that, Adobe XD allowed me to design the layout of each slide. I developed the final project in Articulate Storyline.
