Game-based teaching (GBT) has gained widespread adoption in modern education, yet teachers bear heavy burdens in designing GBT activities and interpreting student learning performance, while centralized educational data storage brings prominent security and credibility risks. To tackle the above bottlenecks, this paper proposes SmartTA, an integrated teaching assistant system combining GBT recommendation modules, automated machine learning (AutoML), and blockchain. Specifically, SmartTA supplies customized GBT cases and exam scoring suggestions for teachers, and leverages AutoML to automatically mine student learning behaviors with zero coding requirements. Three groups of experiments are conducted to validate the system: AutoML achieves a maximum prediction accuracy of 93% on six public educational datasets; the Hyperledger Fabric-based blockchain prototype enables data insertion with an average latency of approximately 2.2 seconds and query latency of approximately 150 ms; 20 frontline educational practitioners provide 85% positive user feedback. The experimental results suggest that SmartTA may help reduce teachersâ lesson preparation workload, support improved instructional quality, while enabling tamper-resistant data storage via blockchain. This study realizes the practical fusion of AutoML and blockchain for GBT scenarios, and establishes a novel, secure, data-driven teaching assistance paradigm that is accessible to non-technical educators.
Sreekanth Vp, Ronny Sebastian Roy, Surya Gopalakrishnan, Thanmaya S Krishna
The proliferation of cyber threats and the increasing digital vulnerability of students necessitate innovative educational approaches to cybersecurity awareness. Traditional methods of teaching cybersecurity often fail to engage learners effectively, resulting in poor knowledge retention and limited practical skills. This paper introduces Zyberix, an interactive educational game that leverages Web3 technologies to teach cybersecurity concepts through immersive gameplay and blockchain-based incentives. By integrating Unity game engine with Ethereum smart contracts, IPFS decentralized storage, and NFT rewards, Zyberix creates an engaging learning environment that simulates realistic cyber threats including phishing, malware, and social engineering attacks. The system rewards successful challenge completion with verifiable Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), providing both motivation and an introduction to blockchain technology. This research demonstrates how gamified experiential learning combined with Web3 technologies can significantly enhance cybersecurity education, addressing the critical gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application while fostering digital literacy among students.
Real-World Asset Farm (RWAF) games are an emerging class of blockchain-based applications that tokenize real-world agricultural assets â including land, crops, livestock, and produce â as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), enabling players to engage in both virtual gameplay and tangible financial investment. Despite their growing commercial and academic prominence, the psychological mechanisms underlying individual adoption of RWAF games remain poorly understood. This study develops and empirically tests an integrated adoption model that bridges the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT), and a revised AwarenessâInterestâDesireâAction (AIDA) framework, reconceptualized as a three-stage cognitionâaffectionâconation process. The model captures users' financial investment perceptions (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and perceived risks) and gamification perceptions (hedonic, utilitarian, and content gratification) as dual affective pathways that mediate the relationship between technology awareness and behavioral intention. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was applied to survey data collected from 362 respondents in China. Results indicate that awareness is the most influential determinant of adoption intention, operating both directly and indirectly through all affective mediators except social influence. Among the affective constructs, facilitating conditions, content gratification, and utilitarian gratification exert the strongest effects on behavioral intention. Importantly, financial investment perceptions produce stronger mediating effects than gamification perceptions, suggesting that instrumental motivations dominate the adoption calculus for this dual-purpose technology. These findings advance theoretical understanding of adoption processes in technologies that integrate financial and entertainment functionalities and offer actionable guidance for RWAF game developers, marketers, and policymakers seeking to expand user engagement in blockchain-based gaming ecosystems.
Mary Jesselyn Co, Bruce Mitchell, Lisa Jordan Powell
This paper describes the development and implementation of an innovative hotel carbon reduction simulation aimed at developing sustainability competencies in business students. Using the Harvard Business School "Net Zero" simulation, we assess how interactive simulation-based learning opportunities improve students' self-assessment of the eight sustainability competencies with a mixed-methods approach. The research examines critical gaps in knowledge of how simulation-based methods can develop integrated competency sets needed to solve complex sustainability challenges. The simulation assigns around 950 first-year management students as hotel managers tasked with achieving 50% emission reductions over seven years while maintaining financial performance. Students select from 29 sustainability initiatives across Energy, Purchasing, and Management categories, working within realistic constraints of carbon budgets, site-specific emission factors, and dynamic market conditions. Our comprehensive analytical design combines pre-post competency surveys with cluster analysis of strategic approaches, and qualitative analysis of learning reflections. Anticipated outcomes are enhanced competency development across all eight dimensions, with gains in systems-thinking, futures-thinking, and implementation competencies. The research aims to provide empirical proof for developing specific sustainability competences as well as demonstrating scalable approaches of integrating sustainability education into core business curriculum.
Flavia AntÄluĹŁe, Alexia Marcu, Adrian Alexandrescu
EduPlay is an interactive educational platform that reimagines traditional homework as a personalized, engaging, and secure experience for middle school students. Combining blockchain technology, gamification, and decentralized storage via IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), EduPlay ensures transparency, authorship traceability, and student motivation. Learners complete tasks using an intuitive visual canvas, and in collaborative projects, each userâs contribution is automatically recorded and verifiably linked to their identity on the blockchain.A central feature of EduPlay is its use NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) as immutable certificates of achievement. Blockchain is also used for tracking collectible cards within a trading system. Students are encouraged to build collections, trade cards with peers, and unlock learning incentives, making academic progress tangible and engaging.Teachers can create and evaluate assignments with customizable templates and receive real-time insights into student performance. Parents gain visibility into their childâs progress through a dedicated dashboard. EduPlay promotes creativity, collaboration, and transparent learning outcomes in a gamified, student-centered environment.
Jun 25, 2025¡2025 IEEE/ACIS 29th International Conference on Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Networking and Parallel/Distributed Computing (SNPD)
Yuma Kawachi, Ion Yamauchi, Yukihiro Shintani, Toru Takagi
In today's rapidly evolving digital business landscape, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), leveraging Web3 technologies such as blockchain, offer innovative governance structures characterized by transparency and fairness. Despite these advantages, DAOs face significant challenges, including low participant engagement and inefficiencies in collective decision-making. To address these issues, this research explores the integration of gamificationâ an information science-based methodâinto DAO governance frameworks. Specifically, a quantitative survey was conducted among DAO participants to analyze motivational factors influencing their engagement in decision-making. Based on survey findings, four gamification mechanisms were empirically tested: physical rewards, quest settings, visualization of positive evaluations, and skill-improvement feedback. Results indicated that physical rewards significantly increased voting speed, while visualization of positive evaluations enhanced communication and active collaboration among participants. Conversely, the quest settings and skill-improvement visualization showed limited effectiveness due to operational complexity and misalignment with organizational goals. Overall, the findings offer practical insights into applying survey-based information system analysis to enhance business decision-making in Web3-based decentralized organizations.
This chapter reflects on the professionalisation of competitive electronic gaming both in traditional formats and within the immersive, fully digital realm of the Metaverse, and explores where and how blockchain technology underpins the Metaverseâs infrastructure, enabling new forms of identity, governance, incentives, and digital economies. Esports and multiplayer gaming platforms are blending Web3 tools with their traditional Web2 frameworks to create dynamic economies where digital assets like in-game currencies, avatar customisations, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) can be created, traded, and monetised. These developments are reshaping esports into highly immersive, interactive experiences where players influence gameplay innovations and fans engage through digital ownership and interaction. By incorporating blockchain, tokenomics, and institutional reform, the Metaverse and esports can foster robust and equitable digital economies. These advancements promise enhanced professionalism, secure marketplaces, and innovative fan engagement, setting the stage for a transformative era in competitive gaming.
This study conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) on the function and potential of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology with regard to ownership in gaming. We explored theoretical viewpoints, analytical frameworks, measures, relationships, and procedures up to 2024 to examine the relationship between NFTs, blockchain, and ownership in gaming. A four-step methodology (planning, execution, analysis, and reporting) was followed, based on Tranfield et al.'s (2003) approach. The widely adopted PRISMA technique was utilized to ensure transparency and rigor in conducting the systematic literature review. The contribution of this study lies in its exploration of how NFTs and blockchain transform ownership in gaming, marking the first comprehensive SLR on this topic from the standpoint of digital asset ownership transformation. The [*expected*] findings suggest that NFTs and blockchain significantly transform traditional ownership structures in gaming by enabling decentralized, verifiable, and transferable digital assets. However, fully realizing this potential remains challenging. Persistent issuesâsuch as partial rather than complete decentralization, economic inequalities and speculation-driven markets, psychological complexities around player motivation, and technological hurdles like scalability and interoperabilityâcomplicate the path toward sustainable NFT-based ecosystems. Adoption appears influenced as much by hype and financial incentives as by informed choice. These insights underscore the necessity for developers, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate on clear legal frameworks, robust security measures, equitable economic models, and player-centric designs. In doing so, the gaming industry can foster genuine, enduring ownership experiences that align innovation with fairness, trust, and meaningful engagement.
The purpose of the module reported on in this chapter is that it will be used by students as an introduction to object-oriented programming in the context of developing the knowledge, skills, and values needed to develop a working computer-based program and to add interactive functionality to the program through structured object-oriented programming. Against the background of Mobile Platforms, Designs, and Applications for Web3, the novelty of the chapter is emphasized by this module being presented at a Comprehensive Open and Distance e-Learning (CODeL) university.
This study introduces GenePixKolor (GPK) fusion, an innovative approach to non-fungible token (NFT) generation and rarity ranking tailored for the gaming industry and tokenomics ecosystems. GPK Fusion leverages genetic algorithms, image processing and machine learning to create a comprehensive, four-stage system that optimizes both the trait generation and visual appeal of NFTs, while providing an advanced rarity ranking mechanism. The GPK Fusionâs rarity ranking method uniquely combines trait-based and pixel-based evaluations. Pixel rarity was assessed using color distribution for overall aesthetic appeal, and trait rarity was assessed using trait combinations. Fusing pixel rarity with trait rarity provides a more holistic assessment of an NFTâs uniqueness, balancing functional value with visual attractiveness. This approach addresses the limitations of existing rarity calculation methods, offering a more nuanced and comprehensive evaluation of the NFT. Empirical comparisons demonstrate that GPK Fusion consistently produces NFTs with superior trait combinations and enhanced visual appeal compared to traditional methods. Its rarity ranking shows a strong correlation with practical valuation strategies in real-time trading environments and enhances the NFT marketplaces. This research contributes to the evolving field of NFT design and valuation by providing game developers and tokenomics strategists with a powerful tool for creating, evaluating and ranking digital assets. GPK Fusionâs methodology opens new avenues for creating more engaging, visually striking and balanced NFTs. GPK potentially revolutionizes asset creation and valuation in the rapidly growing intersection of gaming and blockchain technologies.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of GameFi, a fusion of gaming and decentralized finance (DeFi), there exists a critical need to enhance player engagement and economic interaction within gaming ecosystems. Our GameFi ecosystem aims to fundamentally transform this landscape by integrating advanced embodied AI agents into GameFi platforms. These AI agents, developed using cutting-edge large language models (LLMs), such as GPT-4 and Claude AI, are capable of proactive, adaptive, and contextually rich interactions with players. By going beyond traditional scripted responses, these agents become integral participants in the game's narrative and economic systems, directly influencing player strategies and in-game economies. We address the limitations of current GameFi platforms, which often lack immersive AI interactions and mechanisms for community engagement or creator monetization. Through the deep integration of AI agents with blockchain technology, we establish a consensus-driven, decentralized GameFi ecosystem. This ecosystem empowers creators to monetize their contributions and fosters democratic collaboration among players and creators. Furthermore, by embedding DeFi mechanisms into the gaming experience, we enhance economic participation and provide new opportunities for financial interactions within the game. Our approach enhances player immersion and retention and advances the GameFi ecosystem by bridging traditional gaming with Web3 technologies. By integrating sophisticated AI and DeFi elements, we contribute to the development of more engaging, economically robust, and community-centric gaming environments. This project represents a significant advancement in the state-of-the-art in GameFi, offering insights and methodologies that can be applied throughout the gaming industry.
GameFi's integration with omnichain non-fungible token initiatives marks a major advance in the gaming and blockchain sectors.This integration brings together the dynamic aspects of decentralised finance (DeFi) with the creative possibilities of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) across numerous blockchain platforms.In the developing industry of GameFi, which combines gaming with financial incentives, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are used to generate one-of-a-kind in-game assets that may be exchanged, sold, or utilised inside a variety of games and ecosystems.
Brenno Araujo Queiroz, Johann Westphall, Jean Everson Martina
The introduction of blockchain technology in education has brought significant benefits, such as improving the authentication and availability of data related to student's academic trajectories. Tokenization, in particular, offers an additional layer of standardization and facilitates the transfer and sharing of these data, enhancing their utility. This paper presents the development and implementation of badges as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in the âJornada do Estudanteâ project using Hyperledger Fabric. These badges represent academic and extracurricular achievements, promoting gamification and increasing student engagement. The results are promising, demonstrating the potential feasibility and benefits of using blockchain technology and NFTs to enhance the management and recognition of academic achievements.
This chapter covers the ways video games are a synergistic outgrowth of many kinds of legacy media and programming content. It shares gaming history, including the arcade game era and technologies, multiplayer online role-playing games, OpenSimulator, graphic technologies, gaming economics, and ways large and small screens are part of the game experience and industry. The chapter shares ideas about virtual worlds, cross-pollination of gaming efforts, augmented and extended realities, AI chat boxes, and other ways gamers shape a user-driven economy. It shares information on the video game audiences, effects, and the social side of video gaming. It covers the contemporary video gaming landscape, including non-fungible tokens, Bitcoin, blockchain, and other digital economy developments.
Andreea Raluca DuguleanÄ, Cristina TÄnÄsescu, Mihai DuguleanÄ
This research aims to establish the primary drivers influencing the development and consumersâ decision-making process in web3 gamesâdecentralized games that function according to the play-to-earn paradigm. We observe several types of micro-economies developed within five play-to-earn games and highlight four roles consumers play at any given time. Our study offers a different perspective on rational consumer behaviour in cryptocurrency-based games and paves the way to better understanding their dynamics and evolution. Results shed light on the construction of in-game economies and how individuals of a given type engage in different playing activities. Furthermore, we compare the key features of web3 games with those similar to classic online games and assess if the play-and-earn implementations represent an evolution from previous revenue models. Using our proposed methodology, researchers can compare and classify any P2E games. We conclude by establishing a set of actions that enable consumers to benefit from this new phenomenon.
Wang Jun, Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Rashid Abbasi, Marwan Omar ¡ 5 authors
Machine learning is playing an increasingly important role in education. This article examines its potential to bring about transformative change in this field. By using machine learning algorithms, physical education teachers can gather and analyze data on student performance and behavior. This enables them to create personalized learning experiences that cater to the unique needs of each student. Machine learning can also track and assess student progress, providing educators with valuable insights into the effectiveness of their teaching strategies. Furthermore, it can optimize the design of physical education curricula and assessments, making them more efficient and effective. Additionally, machine learning offers a more objective and accurate approach to evaluating and grading students. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating machine learning into physical education, including ethical considerations and potential limitations.
Hilda Hadan, Leah Zhang-Kennedy, Lennart E. Nacke, Ville Mäkelä
Introduction In recent years, cryptocurrency has increasingly sparked interest among investors. Many people have invested in this field without adequate knowledge. Existing research has shown that using game design elements can be an effective method of education. Such learning interventions can potentially be a good match for educating market investors, as they provide risk-free simulations for novice investors to gain practical experience without having to be concerned about real financial losses. However, it is unclear how market investors perceive gamified and game-based learning interventions and whether they would adopt them for cryptocurrency education. Research Objectives Our study investigated market investorsâ perceptions, needs and expectations regarding the integration of gamification and game-based learning interventions in cryptocurrency education. Methodology We conducted an online survey with n=413 participants, including experienced market investors and people who are interested in cryptocurrency. Within the survey, we presented the mock-ups of two cryptocurrency learning interventions: a gamified cryptocurrency learning application, and a cryptocurrency learning video game. Results From market investorsâ perspectives, our study revealed the benefits and drawbacks of incorporating gamification and game design principles to facilitate learning cryptocurrency. We identified the need to develop dynamic, accessible, reliable, and community-building gamified and game-based cryptocurrency learning interventions. Conclusion From our findings, we propose guidance for the integration of gamification and games in cryptocurrency education, and we provide design recommendations for investor-specific cryptocurrency learning interventions.
The global crisis brought on by COVID-19 is unparalleled. Tourism is one of the many industries that have been made public by the recent COVID-19 epidemic. Indonesia itself was affected by the impact that caused a decrease in both foreign and domestic tourists. Smart tourism through the metaverse concept is one of the proposed solutions to deal with this problem, considering that metaverse has been booming lately, so it can attract the attention of tourists who cannot come directly to the tourist attractions. This paper aims to provide new insights regarding how to improve the Indonesian economy through tourism, so people realize the importance of the metaverse in the future. Moreover, we believe that the future of this metaverse will be very bright because the advantages of technology used in the metaverse are very beneficial for users (Blockchain, Crypto, Non-Fungible Token).
Blockchain is one of the most significant and innovative technological developments in recent years. Blockchain use cases are no longer limited to the financial sector but have expanded into various industries such as healthcare and education. It is imperative to educate individuals early to prepare them for the widespread adoption of blockchain technology. To this end, we created a hybrid board game to educate players about the blockchain mechanism. The game mechanics incorporate three topics: block properties, mining nodes, and the proof-of-work process. Each player competes to get as many coins as possible from mining and transacting while protecting their mining nodes from other players. This study aims to determine how well the players understood each topic after playing the game. We experimented with 22 students in grades 11 and 12, ranging in age from 17 to 18. We administered a multiple-choice test, followed by an interview, to determine their level of knowledge. After participating in the activity, the average score for the block properties topic was 51 percent, for the mining nodes was 51 percent, and for the proof-of-work process was 40 percent.
Asif Ali Wagan, Abdullah Ayub Khan, YenâLin Chen, Lip Yee Por ¡ 6 authors
Game-based learning in schools and colleges, with the help of AI-enabled augmented intelligence techniques, is reported to improve childrenâs neurodevelopment, intellectual sensing, and specific learning abilities, according to US officials. There is currently a huge transformation from traditional assisted learning to augmented reality-enabled computer-based learning. Globally, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of game-based augmented learning in most schools and colleges. A few problems arise that create concern, such as the emerging effects of gaming on institutional premises, the disordering of childrenâs involvement after game-learning, the rate of learning and attendance, adaptation, and teachersâ experience. To address these individual aspects, we proposed a blockchain Ethereum-enabled, secure AI-based augmented game learning environment, called B-AIQoE, in which protected on-chain and off-chain channels are designed to handle all the transactions and exchanges among students before analysis in terms of color transition, redundancy, unethical transmission, and related vulnerabilities. On the other hand, the proposed system examines and analyzes the Quality of experience (QoE) and improves accessibility as it receives feedback from the students and teachers. For the purpose of automating game-based transactions, three different aspects are discussed, such as verifying and validating student-teacher registration, creating content for game-based learning and privacy, and updating studentsâ records and exchanges. Finally, this paper separates, analyzes, and discusses a list of emerging challenges and limitations and their possible solutions involved in creating the proposed system.
Gamification is an effective strategy for motivating and engaging users, which is grounded in business, marketing, and management by designing games in nongame contexts. Gamifying education, which consists of the design and study of educational games, is an emerging trend. However, the existing classroom games for understanding macroeconomics have weak connections to the microfoundations of individual decision-making. We design an educational game on cryptocurrency investment for understanding macroeconomic concepts in microeconomic decisions. We contribute to the literature by designing game-based learning that engages students in understanding macroeconomics in incentivized individual investment decisions. Our game can be widely implemented in online, in-person, and hybrid classrooms. We also reflect on strategies for improving the user experience for future educational game implementations.
The purpose of gamification in cryptocurrencies is to improve user engagement through game-thinking (Kabita, 2020; Rodrigues et al., 2019). Yet, it is unclear whether participants are motivated by the desire to have fun or to generate money. This study intends to explore the elements that encourage people to participate in cryptocurrency gamification by analysing perceived enjoyment, perceived profitability, and demographic variables. Data was obtained from Thai nationals residing in Thailand who have invested in digital assets or plan to in the future. Using multivariate logistic regression, statistically significant factors were identified. The data indicate that Thai investorsâ interest in cryptocurrency gamification increases with age and student status. Also, people are attracted to the gamification of cryptocurrencies since they may be both interesting and lucrative. The study argues that it is essential to assess the risks associated with the gamification of cryptocurrencies. This will ensure that individuals who wish to earn money do not lose it. In addition, the likelihood of financial exploitation through cryptocurrency gaming must be evaluated. This is required because the risk of individuals being victimised through scams increases as the number of persons who play these games grows.