Vietnamese Educational Games: Mixed Blessing

Vietnamese game providers are now managing about 60 games and a majority is role-playing action games though, new forms of games like webgames, social games and educational games are coming in a greater number. The percentage of Vietnamese games is also growing up. This show that the online game market is changing and games are being classified for target players. Particularly in recent years, online educational games - which are believed to be of great potential - start to develop and secure a good position.

 

A specialist said that online educational games most expected by the society were shrugged off by developers because they focused more on short-term economic purposes rather than this array of games. Now, the demand for online educational games is growing up.

 

From the angle of management, Mr Nguyen Trong Duong, Director of the Information Technology Department under the Ministry of Information and Communication, said the ministry strongly supported Vietnamese educational and cultural games. The State will offer zero tax in four first years for developers.

 

Mr Nguyen Ba Binh, Vice Principal of Gifted School of Hanoi Teachers’ Training University, noted that students psychologically need relaxing time after hours of intensive focus on studying. Educational games are useful for them to relieve stress and tiredness after class hours, refresh their soul and widen the room for new knowledge.

 

Agreeing with this viewpoint, Mr Nguyen Duy Kha, Head of Examination Faculty under the Examination and Quality Control Department, said if educational games are developed, they will bring young generations back to the real world from the cyber world. This kind of games helps them play and learn at the same time.

 

After years obsessed by negative impacts of games, both students and parents are anxiously waiting for a new array of games.

 

After a long time focusing on war games and action games, VNG started to shift focus on online educational games. Its first product is the Kingdom of Moles. This online game is designed for children aged from 6 to 12. Following the debut, Chinese-originated game is warmly welcomed by players.

 

After games for children, many companies developed online educational games for teenagers and adults. Pursuing the long-term game development strategy, Egame - a game developer - invested VND32 billion to produce online games for students.

 

After four years of preparation, Egame is testing the much-expected game which is described to gather all characteristics of an online game, advanced game technology, education and entertaining.

 

Mr Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, CEO of Egame, said: For a totally new difficult field like online educational game, most producers have to do on their own. If a game does not rective good response from players and the society, the company has to make it again. With its effort and long-term development plan, Egame is still persistent with its target of creating a meaningful and attractive online education game.

 

According to an expert, from Egame’s experience, education game is not for developers who hunt for short-term economic benefits and place their interest over the society. The market needs pioneers to move forward.

Remarking on the progress of educational games, Mr Nguyen Duy Kha said the Ministry of Education and Training is encouraging innovative teaching methods that increase interactions between students and teachers. It also encourages new methods that support traditional teaching and learning methods. And, the idea of education games matches the intention of the ministry.

 

Prof Van Nhu Cuong, Headmaster of Luong The Vinh High School, asserted that this is a new form of active, realistic education. When they realise real benefits for themselves, students will actively participate.

 

To be brought into life, online educational games must be really attractive. Mr Kha said we could not expect such games convey a lot of knowledge to students but they should focus on interesting popular knowledge to motivate players. Concurring with Mr Kha, Mr Luu Vu Hai, Director of Radio Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information Department under the Ministry of Information and Communication, said to be attractive to players, online games must suit psychology and interest of players. Mr Nguyen Trong Duong, Director of the Information Technology Department under the Ministry of Information and Communication, wonder online educational games will be hardly brought to life and form a playing and learning community if providers lack supporting measures.

 

Mr Nguyen Ngoc Thuy said online educational games will be long-term product and frequently updated with new features and contents. In the short term, educational games cannot be compared with action games but they hold long-term advantage.

 

The positive development of educational games is good news because it will help education sector to develop faster and contribute positive values to the education sector and the society.