Attributes and Motivation in Game-Based Learning: A Review of the Literature

Since the mid-1980s, various educational games have been developed, and their popularity has implications for the use of games in the classroom. Although research has shown games are effective in enhancing motivation and improving learner performance, studies that connect specific elements of games and learner motivation are lacking. This paper reviews research, both empirical and theoretical studies, on motivation and attributes of game-based learning from 2009 to the present. The purpose of this literature review is to identify game attributes and examine the relationship between the attributes as exhibited in educational games and learner motivation as discussed in the recent literature.