About

Poikilia is a puzzle game and a learning game. The game has a narrative story, expressed through cutscenes and supported by its in-game art, but also offers a non-narrative version. Both use identical gameplay to expose players to basic concepts of additive and subtractive color theory, requiring players to traverse a maze that focuses their attention on the sometimes confusing behavior of light and color. Researchers will study whether either the narrative or non-narrative form of the game is more effective in promoting student engagement with, and understanding of, the topics. In particular, they will study whether the narrative can induce meta-cognition in players as a means of promoting active transfer and overcoming naïve conceptions.