Introduction:

The purpose of this needs analysis is to identify the requirements and objectives for the development of "Forgotten Memories," an interactive puzzle game designed to engage players in a journey through the protagonist's past to recover lost memories. As an instructional designer, it's essential to understand the target audience, their learning needs, and the desired outcomes of the game to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.

Target Audience:

The target audience for "Forgotten Memories" primarily includes individuals who enjoy puzzle-solving games and narrative-driven experiences. This audience may range from casual gamers to avid players interested in immersive storytelling and emotional engagement. Additionally, the game may appeal to individuals interested in exploring themes of memory, identity, and personal growth.

Learning Needs:

1. Cognitive Engagement: The game should provide stimulating challenges and puzzles that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and pattern recognition. These cognitive activities will enhance players' mental agility and decision-making skills.

2. Emotional Resonance: "Forgotten Memories" aims to evoke emotional responses from players by exploring themes such as nostalgia, empathy, and self-discovery. Therefore, the game should incorporate narrative elements and character development to create an immersive and emotionally resonant experience.

3. Narrative Coherence: To maintain player engagement and interest, the game's narrative should be coherent, compelling, and well-paced. Each puzzle and memory should contribute to the overarching storyline, guiding players through the protagonist's journey of memory recovery.

4. Accessibility: The game should be accessible to a diverse audience, including individuals with varying levels of gaming experience and cognitive abilities. Clear instructions, intuitive gameplay mechanics, and adjustable difficulty levels will ensure that all players can participate and enjoy the experience.

5. Replay Value: To encourage repeat play and prolonged engagement, "Forgotten Memories" should offer a variety of puzzles, branching narratives, and multiple endings. This diversity will allow players to explore different paths and outcomes, enhancing the game's overall replay value.

Desired Outcomes:

1. Memory Recovery: The primary objective of "Forgotten Memories" is to help players guide the protagonist through their past to recover lost memories. By successfully solving puzzles and navigating challenges, players will gradually unlock fragments of the protagonist's memories, leading to a deeper understanding of their personal history.

2. Emotional Connection: Through its narrative-driven gameplay and thematic exploration, the game aims to foster emotional connections between players and the protagonist. Players should feel invested in the protagonist's journey, empathizing with their struggles, celebrating their victories, and ultimately experiencing a sense of catharsis as memories are recovered.

3. Cognitive Development: "Forgotten Memories" seeks to stimulate players' cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and memory recall. By engaging with challenging puzzles and overcoming obstacles, players will enhance their cognitive skills while enjoying a rewarding and immersive gaming experience.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the development of "Forgotten Memories" as an instructional game requires careful consideration of the target audience's needs, learning objectives, and desired outcomes. By addressing these factors through engaging gameplay, emotional storytelling, and cognitive challenges, the game has the potential to provide players with a memorable and transformative gaming experience.

For the development of "Forgotten Memories," the instructional design model/framework utilized is the ADDIE model.

ADDIE stands for Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation, representing a systematic approach to instructional design. Here's how each phase of the ADDIE model applies to the creation of the game:

1. Analysis:

- In the Analysis phase, I conducted a thorough needs analysis to understand the target audience, their learning needs, and the desired outcomes of the game.

- This phase involves gathering information about the storyline, gameplay mechanics, learning objectives, and technical requirements of the game.

2. Design:

- During the Design phase, I created the blueprint for the game, outlining its structure, content, and interactive elements.

- This phase involves defining the game mechanics, including the types of puzzles, challenges, and narrative choices that will engage players.

- I also designed the user interface, visual assets, and audio elements to ensure a cohesive and immersive gaming experience.

3. Development:

- In the Development phase, I built the game based on the design specifications.

- This phase involves scripting, and integrating various components, such as graphics, animations, sound effects, and user interface elements.

4. Implementation:

- During the Implementation phase, the completed game is deployed and made available to the target audience.

- This phase involves testing the game for functionality, usability, and compatibility across different devices and platforms.

- I monitor player feedback and addresses any issues or bugs that arise during the initial release of the game.

5. Evaluation:

- In the Evaluation phase, I assess the effectiveness of the game in achieving its learning objectives and engaging the target audience.

- This phase involves collecting data through surveys, interviews, and gameplay analytics to measure player satisfaction, learning outcomes, and retention rates.

- Based on the evaluation results, I identify areas for improvement and makes refinements to enhance the game's overall quality and effectiveness.

By following the ADDIE model, I can systematically design, develop, and evaluate "Forgotten Memories" to ensure that it meets the needs of the target audience and delivers a compelling and immersive gaming experience.

True/False Questions: Embedded quizzes test players' understanding of the protagonist's memories and the emotional lessons derived from them.

Multiple-Choice Questions: Interactive questions challenge players to make decisions based on the narrative, influencing the direction of the story and outcomes of certain puzzles.

Drag-and-Drop Activities: Players arrange pieces of memories, such as photographs or letters, to solve puzzles and reveal hidden secrets.

Code Deciphering: Players decode cryptic messages embedded in family letters or heirlooms, revealing hidden secrets and advancing the storyline.

To enhance replay value and ensure accessibility in "Forgotten Memories," several updates are necessary. Firstly, adding randomized elements to puzzles and branching narrative paths can provide a fresh experience with each playthrough, encouraging players to revisit the game. Additionally, incorporating adjustable difficulty levels can cater to a wider range of players, from novice to expert. In terms of accessibility, improvements are needed to address visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive needs. This includes providing alternative text for images and audio cues for visually accessibility, implementing keyboard shortcuts and customizable controls for motor accessibility, and offering clear instructions and intuitive design to accommodate cognitive accessibility. By prioritizing these updates, "Forgotten Memories" can become a more inclusive and engaging experience for all players.