The Design and Development of a Simulation Game on Resource Management for Construction Projects

The construction industry is on the verge of a digital transformation. Consequently, the gap widens between industry demands and fresh graduate capabilities. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a paradigm shift in our approach towards Construction Management (CM) education. As such, to meet both industry demands and student expectations, integrating game-based learning (GBL) can substantially enhance the learning experience of CM students in higher education. Although prior studies recognize Game-Based Learning (GBL) in general, its utilization remains limited in construction management. After reviewing the literature on existing GBL interventions, a gap was identified for resource management games. Thus, this study presents a digital simulation game called ‘Always Under Stress’ developed using the Godot game engine. The gameplay revolves around resource management and its associated challenges in different construction projects. In this study, the gameplay elements are discussed in-depth in relation to the learning objectives of the game. In addition, this study presents lessons learned from the design and development stages to facilitate future development for prospective researchers and educational game designers.