One of the key upcoming milestones in the Learn to Play for the Future project is the launch of Work Package 5, focused on the creation of the Edu Game Maker Toolbox (EGMT). In the next several months, our consortium will begin developing this hands-on resource aimed at helping teachers design and implement their own educational games—no coding or advanced game design knowledge required.
What Is Planned?
The Edu Game Maker Toolbox is envisioned as a practical toolkit that will enable teachers to:
- Create educational games aligned with their curriculum,
- Understand the basics of game design through structured guidance,
- Experiment with different game elements using physical templates and cards,
- Apply game-based learning in their classrooms in a simple, accessible way.
The development of the EGMT will contribute directly to the project’s wider goal of mainstreaming educational game development and game-based learning in school education across Europe.
How Will It Be Developed?
Development process will be led by Impact Games (SK) with support from all project partners. Work will follow an iterative design process and be grounded in design thinking principles. The first stage will involve compiling research findings and educational insights from earlier project work. Based on this input, Impact Games will begin designing the first prototype of the Toolbox. This version will include:
- Step-by-step methodical guidelines,
- Printed game element cards (e.g., goals, characters, narratives),
- Printable game templates and frameworks to support game creation.
A group of teachers selected by Impact Games will test the first version of the Toolbox. Their feedback will help the development team identify what works well and what needs to be improved.
The development team will revise the Toolbox based on user feedback. This second prototype will again be tested, leading to a final version that is clear, practical, and engaging for everyday classroom use.
The final version of the Toolbox will be produced in both printed and printable PDF formats. It will be distributed to 50 early adopter teachers across the project countries, who will also participate in a mentoring programme to help them create their own educational games using the Toolbox.
After the early adoption phase, the Toolbox will be made widely available through the Gamifactory.eu platform and the project’s website. More than 5,000 teachers will be reached through the project’s outreach activities, with at least 5% expected to show interest in using the tool in their own teaching.