Thread by @ChrisHeadleand

Building Simple Games in #MicrosoftForms [thread]

Games can be a great way to engage students, and there are loads of ways to play games in a face to face session. However, with the shift to online/blended learning, we need some new approaches. This is one in MSForms [1/11]

There is a type of game called a "branching narrative game" these games are non-linear and provide experiences that vary based on the decisions that the player makes throughout the game. If you have played a narrative-driven game, you will likely have experienced this [2/11]

Microsoft Forms (and most other form engines) have the ability to create branched question structures (useful for surveys) - which could lend themselves to creating low-fi versions of these branching games. Just create your questions and click "Add Branching" [3/11]

Start by creating a narrative map. A simple flowchart of your questions and how they link together. In the following example, the player would start with Q1, with three possible options. One of those options would end the game GAME OVER [4/11]

Important to notice. The narative structure can only go forwards and not back! You can't make question 5 loop back to question 2 (for example). That question has already been answered. So, you can't use this structure for a "text adventure" that allows for free exploration [5/11]

So, how does this work in practice? In the attached screenshots I have created a question, with three options "Gold" "Silver" "Bronze". I have then used the branching options in MSForms to set the destinations from those answers [6/11]

One important tip for MS forms. You need to put each new question inside a "section" this forces the old question to hide and a new one to appear when you click "next". If you don't use sections the old question stays on the screen. [7/11]

Remember, this isn't a quiz! So you can choose to allow wrong (or alternative) answers to send players down different branches of the narrative. You can also bring branches back together (as long as you don't go back). [8/11]

If using the game for learning. Use the questions and clues to encourage students to go away and search resources, encourage exploration. EG "the answer to this puzzle, is on the university website/in the textbook etc". [9/11]

As an example, I've thrown together a really simple adventure game at this link. lncn.ac/formgame

Have a go. to make things more "interesting" I'll post a prize to the person who gets all the right answers in the shortest time (I'll pick the winner in a week). [10/11]

Extra tips for people creating their own version. MSForms allows you to "shuffle" answers which can be really useful. You can also use images and different question types. Just check out the branching options! Let me know if you are going to try something similar! [11/11] DONE

@jimbobbennett - didn’t know if this was handy for any of your folk?