Abstract

In this study, 5-to7-year-old Finnish children were asked to show, by drawing a design, what would be “the best game in the world” for them. Data were analyzed through a framework of game design elements. Children were found to be keen to modify existing games by adding new things to them. Often these additions had their roots in other meaningful media texts. Thus, children’s game ideas became collage-like representations of their lifeworld, which highlights the importance of the aesthetic element of game design (i.e. the emotional aspects of a gaming experience).