Multiplayer Kinect Serious Games: A Review

Single and multiplayer Kinect serious games have been used in many different areas, including education. Due to its relative newness as a technology, a dearth of literature exists concerning the requirements for the use of Kinect games in educational settings. A comprehensive review was conducted to include various perspectives in order to provide background information on the existing research base that upholds the educational uses of these games. The review was built on empirical and theoretical studies conducted in the area of multiplayer Kinect games. A total of (748) articles were screened and (71) coded. While an abundance of convergent evidence from closely related domains has been produced on the subject, providing a set of recommendations for its proper usage; few studies have focused specifically on the role, development and effects of multiplayer Kinect games in educational settings. The potential for Kinect games to enhance learning experiences within educational contexts is promising; however, care must be taken to account for physical safety, emotional safety, and activity structure. Specific recommendations for addressing these important aspects of the use of multiplayer Kinect games are described in detail in the body of this manuscript.