Computer games are interactive software applications
that have fun as the basic objective while users engage in
them. By using multimedia, networking and other
technologies, they lead users to solve problems and
achieve goals in a virtual environment [7]. Unlike
computer games, whose primary purpose is fun, learning
through computer games should include the following:
motivational elements but not necessarily fun,
active participation in problem solving,
providing feedback,
adjustment of the level of knowledge,
clarity in the presentation of the objectives and
learning content,
presentation of content that can be replicated in
the virtual world, while drawing parallels with
the real world,
scalability to a large number of simultaneous
users.
Computer games with the above listed elements are
called educational games. In addition to educational,
there are also serious computer games with fun as a
motivational element. These are primarily regular games
with educational elements, e.g. simulations. The two
areas are often intertwined in order to achieve good
balance of educational content load and fun.
According to Prensky [8], the new generation of
students born in the last quarter of the 20th century is
developing different cognitive styles in comparison to the
previous generation (Table II).