Evaluating Wick Editor as Open-Source Alternative for Developing Educational Games using Heuristics

Abstract

Wick Editor is a free and open-source web-based tool for creating games. Unlike Flash, which is widely discussed in literature as a tool to produce educational multimedia titles and educational games, Wick Editor is not widely known. This study proposes Wick Editor as a more accessible and viable alternative to Flash. There are two main approaches employed in this study, namely examining process: 1) developing a software artefact as evidence as well as comparative features analysis of authoring tools; and examining the end product 2) selecting relevant heuristics and getting experts to evaluate. A selected cohort of students were trained to use Wick Editor. At the end of the training, they were required to develop educational games. In the process, Wick Editor was assessed in terms of functionalities. A heuristics protocol engaging 18 educators was used to assess the educational games developed by students. The findings reveal that Wick Editor is indeed a viable alternative but with certain limitations and opportunities for improvements in game design. In order for educational games to be used extensively and democratization of educational games development, a free and accessible authoring tool must be made available for educators.