Image created with Canva

12 useful tools to create educational video games without coding

As has been proven by countless studies and based on its practice in the educational field, game-based learning can significantly enhance young people’s engagement and retention of complex topics. Incorporating game-based learning into civic education can foster a deeper understanding of democratic principles and socio-political concepts, while encouraging active participation in democratic matters.

However, designing and programming video games can be difficult, time-consuming and require specific skills that most people do not have. Fortunately, many no-code platforms, engines and tools have been created to help anyone, including youth and youth workers, design interactive and entertaining games without programming skills. These tools democratise game design and empower people with little to no coding knowledge to bring civic education to life through gaming.

Here is a selection of 12 useful tools, among many others available online, that provide a range of options to suit different educational needs and technical skills:

  1. Bitsy is a browser-based engine for creating short, pixel-art games. It’s simple and accessible, perfect for small interactive civic games or narrative exercises where players explore concepts like voting or human rights.
  2. Fiero is a no-code game engine that employs visual scripting to create interactive experiences. It is designed for rapid prototyping, allowing educators to quickly develop and test civic education games.
  3. Construct 3 is a browser-based engine that offers a user-friendly interface for creating 2D games. Its event-based system allows for rapid development, perfect for creating interactive lessons on civic topics adapted to diverse educational levels.
  4. FlowLab is a browser-based platform that offers a visual editor for creating 2D games. It supports real-time collaboration, making it ideal for classroom settings, and can be used to simulate civic processes and encourage critical thinking.
  5. HyperPad is a no-code platform optimised for touch devices. Its intuitive interface allows users to create interactive games accessible on smartphones and tablets, thus facilitating learning in various environments.
  6. Scratch is a free, web-based platform where users create games using drag-and-drop code blocks. It’s beginner-friendly and excellent for teaching problem-solving and civic concepts through simple interactive games.
  7. Genially is an online platform that helps create interactive presentations, infographics and games. Its user-friendly interface allows educators to design engaging games that incorporate multimedia elements and various mechanics.
  8. Twine is an open-source tool for creating interactive, nonlinear stories. It enables users to design branching narratives, making it ideal for exploring various perspectives, civic dilemmas and decision-making scenarios.
  9. Tyrano Builder allows users to create visual novels through a drag-and-drop interface. It’s ideal for storytelling-focused civic education games, requiring minimal scripting knowledge, although less developed than Ren’py, but much easier to use.
  10. RPG Maker MV is the perfect event-based software to create adventure and role-playing games, in a simple pixelated style with a variety of built-in assets and an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
  11. GameMaker supports both drag-and-drop and scripting. Beginners can quickly create simple 2D games, while more advanced users can add custom logic if needed, making it flexible for different skill levels.
  12. GDevelop is an open-source engine that allows users to create 2D games with drag-and-drop and basic scripting. Its visual event system makes it versatile for various game types, but the wide variety can be overwhelming for beginners.

 

Choosing the right tool

Due to the wide variety of no-code engines and platforms which propose a broad range of options for different goals, selecting the appropriate game development tool depends on your specific objectives and users’ technical proficiency. For instance:

  • Stencyl and Game Maker offer great options for 2D games.
  • FlowLab and Genially allow for collaboration between game creators.
  • Bitsy and Fiero are useful for creating quick prototypes.
  • Construct 3 and GDevelop are excellent for creating interactive simulations.
  • Twine and Tyrano Builder are best suited for narrative-driven experiences.

 

Still, some engines require a bit more time to get used to or include additional resources to facilitate their use, such as tutorials, templates or ready-to-use assets.

Most of the previously cited tools, and more, will be described in depth in our technical guide and some will be directly used to create video games throughout this project, both by the project partners and by youth and youth workers across Europe who will use our resources and approach to create their own civic education games during our external testing phase.

Stay tuned to discover our wide range of practical resources soon, including guides, toolsheets, templates, tutorials and more, and explore how to create engaging educational video games focused on EU democracy, policies and values, to make civic matters more engaging and entertaining and to nurture a young generation of active and responsible citizens!

 

References: