A Tabletop Game Design That Scaffolds Debugging for Programming Beginners

2.1 Debugging in educational tools

The game we propose has an educational purpose which entails it falls within the type of games classified as serious. According to [5], "a serious game is one with elements that besides promoting fun also have a special purpose." Additionally, [6] stated that the growing relevance of computational thinking has led to an increased demand for computing education in educational facilities while lowering the costs required to build infrastructure". Likewise, unplugged educational resources provide computing education in educational facilities while lowering the investment on hardware and software.

Previous studies have extensively explored debugging from an educational perspective. [3] emphasize that novice programmers often approach debugging inefficiently, relying on trial and error. They call for more structured methods to teach debugging systematically, which aligns with our approach in HEXA_766, where players must debug their actions using a fictional programming language. The game encourages players to identify and correct errors in their commands, guided by a Game Master who helps scaffold the debugging process.

It was proposed that structured debugging activities are essential for IT education, noting that step-by-step problem-solving activities are key to fostering students' confidence and skill in debugging[7]. Likewise, they argue that structured debugging activities are essential for teaching effective debugging skills. While their research focuses on digital tools, the structured, step-by-step debugging process in HEXA_766 provides a non-digital alternative. The Game Master serves a role akin to automated feedback in digital environments, guiding players as they reflect on and correct their errors.

2.2 Tabletop Games and Debugging

Tabletop games have been increasingly recognized for their ability to teach computational thinking and problem-solving skills. Some existing tabletop games already incorporate debugging concepts, though indirectly. Unplugged games and activities have shown promise in teaching computational thinking and debugging. The CS Unplugged was introduced to allow students to practice CT concepts without computers, showing that hands-on learning can be highly effective in building foundational IT skills[4].

It was found that unplugged activities are effective for younger students learning computational concepts by reducing cognitive load and enhancing focus on logical problem-solving[8]. HEXA_766 extends this approach, using an unplugged, tabletop game format to specifically target debugging.

Although research on games specifically designed for debugging is limited, a few tabletop games touch on computational thinking, logical reasoning, or problem-solving in a way that relates to debugging. Here are some notable examples. RoboRally encourages players to program their robots' movements across a grid. Players often encounter situations where their robots don't behave as expected, prompting them to adjust their plans mid-game-an activity that mirrors debugging. Like HEXA_766, players learn through iterative problem-solving and reflection on their errors.

Code Master provides players with a set of instructions to guide an avatar through logic puzzles. Players must debug their initial plans when they encounter obstacles, fostering logical thinking and problem-solving skills akin to those required for debugging. Similarly, in HEXA_766, players program their robotic units and must adjust their commands when things go wrong.

Robot Turtles introduces young players to programming by having them sequence actions using cards. If the turtle doesn't reach the goal, players must "debug" their commands by rethinking their sequence. This process aligns with our design in HEXA_766, where players must debug their code to avoid errors and progress in the game.

Turing Tumble is a mechanical board game where players create logic circuits to solve puzzles. Debugging is a core part of the gameplay, as players frequently need to adjust their circuits when they don't behave as expected. Similarly, HEXA_766 scaffolds the debugging process by encouraging players to think systematically about their mistakes and refine their strategies.

These games highlight the growing trend of using tabletop games to teach computational concepts, but none explicitly focus on debugging as a primary educational goal. HEXA_766 fills this gap by directly targeting debugging skills through its card-based programming system and the role of the Game Master, which is designed to mimic real-world debugging environments in a collaborative, non-digital setting.

2.3 Comparison of previous works

While the use of digital games in education has been extensively studied, fewer works address the unplugged, tabletop format for teaching debugging. [9] and [2] have demonstrated that digital games can improve student engagement and learning outcomes in programming, but their focus is primarily on algorithmic thinking and general problem-solving, with limited emphasis on debugging. In contrast, HEXA_766 integrates the debugging process as a central mechanic, providing immediate and structured opportunities for players to correct errors in their commands. Unlike digital games that automate feedback, HEXA_766 incorporates a Game Master who actively engages players in the debugging process, encouraging critical thinking and reflection.

3.1 Tenets of game design for IT learning

For the Unholy Alliance, by immersing players in problem-solving scenarios, this principle engages players in debugging tasks that require iterative hypothesis testing and correction, supporting systematic IT thinking[12]. For the MAD Principle, consistent game mechanics reinforce logical patterns, mirroring the consistency needed in real-world debugging, where identifying dependencies is critical to resolving errors[13].

Using the Player's Imagination, this principle allows for creative solutions, fostering IT skills like logical sequencing and troubleshooting, where players use minimalistic commands to solve complex problems, an approach supported by studies on computational thinking[14].

3.2 Game design elements for debugging education

Each component of HEXA-766 is designed to foster IT skills, particularly focusing on debugging. These elements work together to simulate real-world debugging processes in a non-digital, hands-on format. Fictional Programming Language Cards: The game introduces a fictional programming language through a set of command cards that players use to control robotic units. Players must arrange these cards logically to achieve desired outcomes on the game board. This activity simulates algorithmic thinking and provides a direct analogy to writing code, where players must debug sequences by identifying and correcting logical errors in their command arrangements.

The Game Master in HEXA-766 guides players by providing structured feedback when commands fail. This mirrors the real-world role of a debugging environment in an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or a programming instructor who supports novices. By receiving hints or partial solutions from the Game Master, players are encouraged to analyze their errors and refine their approach, mimicking iterative debugging in IT.

HEXA-766 requires players to repeatedly test, adjust, and re-test their commands. Each round of gameplay represents an iteration, where players encounter obstacles, troubleshoot their errors, and refine their strategies. This iterative approach is fundamental to debugging in programming, as players learn to break down complex problems, identify specific errors, and adapt their solutions systematically.

In order to complete tasks on the board successfully, players must sequence commands logically. When their actions do not lead to the intended result, players are prompted to identify specific points of failure. This activity directly supports the development of error identification skills, which are essential in IT for understanding and correcting coding mistakes.

3.3 IT skills development through game

Through these design elements, HEXA-766 teaches key debugging concepts and supports foundational IT skills, including the followings.

Error Correction, where players practice diagnosing and correcting errors, a core aspect of IT programming tasks. Logical and Algorithmic Thinking, where by structuring commands in sequences, players engage in algorithmic thinking, similar to programming workflows in IT. Finally for the Problem-Solving Resilience, iterative testing and feedback from the Game Master foster a resilience to failure, which is essential for successful debugging and IT troubleshooting.

3.4 Engagement dimension

The game is composed of a modular board made of hexagonal pieces that represent an extraterrestrial environment for players to explore. Each player has a set of four pieces representing robotic units they command during gameplay. The game includes a set of heart-shaped tokens representing an energy system and a deck of cards used to "program" the attack-defense system of the units. Additional sticks and rings indicate unit status, while dice establish movement mechanics. The dice mechanic in HEXA-766 introduces an element of chance, impacting how players control their robotic units as they navigate the board. Although this mechanic does not directly simulate programming concepts, it serves a critical role in maintaining player engagement, an essential factor for sustained educational impact. The game components, except for the card deck, were 3D printed to facilitate ease of play and user engagement.

3.5 Game dimension

HEXA_766 employs a narrative-driven "controlling idea" [15] to immerse players in the role of space archaeologists. commanding robotic units. Players compete to explore a hostile alien environment and retrieve valuable alien technology by programming scavenging drones using a fictional language.

3.6 Mechanics

Figure 2 shows the key components of HEXA_766. In HEXA_766, players move their robotic units based on dice rolls, deciding how to allocate movement points across units. Players must navigate areas of varying damage levels and retrieve "sticks" representing missing parts of an AI system. Each stick placed in the "A.I. Station" earns points, symbolizing the reactivation of the alien intelligence. Players also access a programming deck to create conditions for defending or attacking units, a central feature of the educational dimension, as it requires debugging of statements within the game context.

Fig. 2.

Components of HEXA_766

In HEXA-766, players use a deck of fictional programming language cards to create command sequences for their robotic units. The card-based mechanics align with principles of modular game design [15] and are the "core" of the game's educational experience, simulating basic programming tasks that support the development of debugging skills. Each card represents a specific action or command that players must combine logically to achieve in-game objectives, akin to writing code in a programming language.

The deck contains several types of cards, each representing different entities, actions, or logics that mimic programming structures. For Unit Cards, these cards allow the player to refer to specific robots or groups of robots on the battlefield. As for Attack and Defense Cards, these cards specify actions the robot can take to attack enemy units or to defend from the opponent's tactics, representing conditional actions. Players must decide when to use these cards based on in-game scenarios, simulating decision-making in if-else statements. They serve as basic "commands," like function calls in programming.

As for the Structure cards, they include arithmetic, assignment, comparison / logical operators, and control flow statements. Just like in the popular game and anime Yu-!Gi!-Oh!, Players draw cards from the deck and arrange them to program actions that can take place in each of the turns of the game. For example, a player might use a sequence such as “If scout >= 40 : Attack All Opponents”. To correct the command, the player could rewrite it as “Debugged Condition: If scout >= 40 Attack All Opponents == -20 points”.

Here, the player specifies an attack value of 20 points, ensuring that the condition fully defines the action. This adjustment requires players to carefully consider logical completeness and clarity, similar to debugging code to prevent errors or undefined behaviors. To create this specific condition, the player would need to gather 6 cards and a plastic piece with the colon symbol (:).

3.7 Educational dimension

Debugging is a fundamental skill in programming that requires more than simply identifying mistakes; it requires players to think systematically and iteratively. The design of HEXA_766 addresses these needs by scaffolding debugging practices directly into the game mechanics. The game uses a fictional programming language embedded in a deck of cards, which allows players to create commands for their robotic units. Players are then prompted to identify and correct errors in their attack, defend and move commands as they navigate the board. Additionally, the Game Master provides structured guidance when players' programming conditions fail, encouraging systematic thinking and reflection on errors, similar to debugging processes in actual programming.

HEXA_766 incorporates debugging education by creating situations where players encounter obstacles due to incorrect or incomplete programming commands. To progress, they must debug these commands, examining their logic and adjusting it to achieve desired results. The Game Master plays a crucial role by offering hints and structured feedback when a command does not work as intended, mirroring the real-world debugging process in programming. This setup teaches players (1) to identify errors: players learn to spot mistakes in their commands, understanding which actions cause unintended results, (2) to analyze and correct that they analyze the root cause of errors, revising their strategies and commands accordingly, and (3) to reflect and test. By iterating through their commands, players experience a trial-and-error learning approach, solidifying debugging concepts.

These elements of HEXA_766 engage players in an authentic debugging experience, where they practice debugging in a controlled, supportive environment.