Three distinctive criteria between educational and animation games
Criterion 1 - the objectiveThe aim of the educational game is to learn: to acquire a new skill, knowledge, behaviour. The goal is measurable ("80 % of learners identify the 5 security gestures"). The animation game aims for a moment: to make live a collective experience, to create a link, to entertain. The objective is qualitative ("create a moment of team cohesion").
Criterion 2 - MechanicalThe educational game has a mechanics aligned with the learning objective: each box, each card, each decision activates a target skill. The animation game has a mechanics aligned with pleasure: simple rules, fluid dynamics, designated winner, fun dimension. The same mechanics can be adapted to both uses - it is the orientation of the content that changes.
Criterion 3 - Evaluation. The educational game is measured: 30 day memorization rate, job transfer to J+90, ROI Kirkpatrick. Animation game is rarely measured (sometimes NPS post-event). The evaluation distinguishes both: an educational game without evaluation becomes a disguised animation game, and vice versa.
When to choose a pedagogical game
The educational game is the right choice in 4 situations. Situation 1 - vocational training The game replaces or completes an e-learning module. The impact measurement is expected on the HRD side.
Situation 2 - awareness of target behaviours The aim is to change observable behaviour in real-life situations. Post-game debriefing and follow-up to J+30/J+90 are essential.
Situation 3 - onboarding newcomers The game accelerates integration and structure the learning path.
Situation 4 - cultural transformation The game serves as a structuring experience that marks collective memory while transmitting new codes.
Of the 33 documented B2B projects, 28 are educational games (85% of the portfolio).
When to choose an animation game
The animation game is the right choice in 3 different situations. Situation 1 - business seminar : a highlight in an annual event, launch, corporate anniversary. The aim is to create a shared memory, not to teach something precise. Format: escape game set, playful decathlon, user-friendly giant board game.
Situation 2 - team building light The game is a tool for interaction outside the usual business environment.
Situation 3 - external event animation The aim is to make visitors and to remember the brand, not to learn a specific subject. Format: promotional card game, mini-quiz, interactive game.
Of the projects accompanied, 5 are animation games (15% of the portfolio) - mainly corporate events and anniversaries.
The hybrid: an animation game with an educational dose
An intermediate area exists: the game basically animation but which transmits some key messages to the passage. Intermediate format running in team building and seminar.
Example: a set of corporate culture cards played at the beginning of the annual seminar. Main objective: cohesion, fun, shared time (so rather animation). Secondary objective: reminder of corporate values, memorization of key points of the strategy. The mechanics remain fun and engaging, but 30-40% of the cards carry a corporate message.
This hybrid works only if the dose is mild (30-40% maximum of the content). Beyond this, the format becomes an educational game that claims to be animation - and loses the benefits of both: less commitment (pedagogy slows down) without achieving sustainable learning (the animation dimension takes precedence).
Our recommendation for a seminar: 1 main animation game (cohesion) + 1 separate short educational game (transmission of a key message) rather than a confused hybrid. Both formats complement each other better than they merge.
Quick decision matrix in 4 questions
To quickly decide between the two formats, 4 questions to ask. Question 1 - Do you have a measurable learning objective? If so ("train 1,000 employees with 5 security gestures"), educational. If not ("create a moment of cohesion at the annual seminar"), animation.
Question 2 - Do you intend to measure the impact at 30 or 90 days? If yes, educational with evaluation device. If no, animation without formal measurement.
Question 3 - Does the game replace an existing training (e-learning, face-to-face)? If yes, educational with transferable evaluation. If no (the game is added to a seminar to create a highlight), animation.
Question 4 - What is the budget per participant? Low budget (moderate/participating envelope) on large volume: rather scalable pedagogical (flashcards, short formats). High budget (moderate/participating envelope) on small volume: rather premium animation (scenographed escape game, strong event).
4 consistent responses are oriented to the right format. In case of inconsistency (unseen learning objective, measure not planned), it is the signal that the need must be clarified before choosing the format. ANACT (continuing training) And Ministry of Labor (professional training).
Sources: ANACT (continuing training) · Ministry of Labor (professional training).
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Can we combine educational games and animation games in the same seminar?
Yes, and it is even recommended for several days seminars. Type diagram: day 1 cohesion animation game (escape game or convivial tray, 2 hours), day 2 pedagogical game on a business topic (1-2 hours in managerial training). Both formats complement each other without competing if they are placed on separate sequences of the seminar.
Can an animation game have a measurable impact?
Yes, on qualitative indicators: internal post-event NPS (objective > 60), effective participation rate, internal virality (how many times the game is spontaneously mentioned in the following weeks), but on learning indicators (memorization, job transfer), a pure animation game produces weak results - this is not its objective.
Can the same game work as an educational game for one team and animation for another?
Hardly. A poorly debriefed educational game becomes a fun experience without transfer (= animation, but less effective than an animation game designed as such). An animation game used in training transmits little (= weak pedagogical). Better to design two distinct devices if one wants to serve two different objectives.
How much does a B2B animation game cost?
For an animation game like culture cards or fast challenge (20-40 min, 100+ sessions deployment): a moderate investment for design + initial production. For a premium format type escape game set event: a moderate investment per event. The cost per participant varies from 5free (scalable culture cards) to 80free (single premium escape game).
Which format to choose for a new onboarding collaborator?
Systematic pedagogic. Onboarding has a clear learning objective (acquired culture, processes, contacts) and a measurement horizon at 6-12 months (retention rate, operational autonomy). The ideal format is a structured educational game over 4-12 weeks with physical component (host kit) and digital (follow-up app). See our hybrid onboarding guide.
Reference guide: For the complete overview, consult our guide educational game for business.