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New metrics are needed to produce insights in serious games analytics.Action sequences can be coded using task- or tile-based approach.Size of map grids can affects the accuracy in performance prediction.Grid size affects tile-based coding of action sequences and performance prediction.The optimal map grid size must be determined independently for each game. Previous research differentiated expert vs. novice performances based on how (dis)similar novices' action sequences were from that of the expert's by way of similarity measures. Action sequences were coded using an 'objective-oriented' (or task-based) approach based on the sequence of objectives/tasks completed in-game. Findings from these studies suggest that the task-based similarity measures is a better predictor than (a) distance traversed, and (b) time (of completion).In this study, we suggested an alternative method to code action sequences of experts and novices by way of a 'navigational' (or tile-based) approach. We divided a game-map into grids/tiles of different sizes to facilitate tracing of the path traversed by players in game and proceeded to test the effect of grid sizes on differentiating between experts and novices. We further compared the two different action sequence coding approaches and their abilities to measure players' competency improvement in serious games. The results of the study showed that the size of game grids does matter, and that both task-based and tile-based action sequence coding approaches are useful for serious games analytics.

Effects of game characters' voiceovers on players' engagement.Character voiceovers result in better engagement in participants.Voiceovers have moderately significant effect on play-learners' engagement.More research is needed to investigate presence of other audio effects in games. Learner engagement has been considered to be an important factor for successful learning in multimedia learning environments, which include digital game-based learning (DGBL). Nonetheless, there have been few empirical studies and very little consensus on what elements critically affect learners' engagement in a DGBL environment. Audial and visual stimuli are often the only means to communicate learning materials to the learners because of the virtual environment found in DGBLs. This means that learners' engagement in DGBL will need to occur via audial or visual stimuli - sans other specialty devices to immerse players in virtual reality (such as Occulus Rifts and Virtusphere). Yet, very few researchers have directly measured the effect of sensory stimuli on learners' engagement during (game-based) learning. This study examined the effects of non-player characters' (NPC) voiceovers on play-learners' engagement in DGBL through a role-playing game (RPG). A randomized control-group post-test only design was used to collect data from 74 participants. Data analysis revealed that the participants who played the game with voiceovers were more engaged than participants who played without voiceovers. The results of this study will guide practitioners to identify more effective ways of adopting, developing, and modifying digital games for educational purposes.