Gamifying the university library: Using rpg maker to re-design library induction and online services

Changing paradigms of what is expected of a modern University library, has adapted to reflect the needs and current working practices of its students and lecturers. Significant thought, time and money has been invested into redesigning and rebuilding University library architecture and its inner working spaces to compliment a progressive step towards more social and group learning opportunities (Cunningham & Tabur, 2012). Whilst our understanding of space in a library setting is rapidly shifting, there must also be an equal effort to ensure that learning activities, resources, content and services that are on offer, also reflects this change. Particular emphasis should be placed in ensuring that those who cannot attend or have little opportunity to visit the library space, such as distance and/or online learners, have access to relevant & interesting methods in which they can also access and feel part of the learning community the University library provides. This paper presents a work in progress report of the theoretical approach and design process of a Library Induction game created with RPG Maker. RPG maker, a games engine for creating simple pixel art, top down 2D games, was chosen for its ability to rapidly prototype a game and to create art in engine that could accurately represent the chosen physical spaces.