4 Gamified Learning Prompts to Play with ChatGPT
Screenshot from The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions
I want to give a quick word of appreciation for the positive influence video games have had on my life.
While many video games serve simply as an effective source of entertainment and escape, some games can truly blur the lines between fun and learning.
It’s easier to understand the motives of historical figures when you have countless hours vying against Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth, and Montezuma for global domination in Sid Meier’s Civilization. Assuming the role of a civilization leader and balancing city expansion, economic growth, military conquest and defense, and scientific investments in order to achieve victory is a great way to develop critical thinking and strategic decision-making muscles.
Another game from my past that I credit for fueling my creativity and interest in science is The Incredible Machine. Building elaborate Rube Goldberg machines on the computer was my introduction to engineering. Instead of associating the science with esoteric theories and frustrating calculations, I identified engineering with building fun machines and this mentality greatly contributed to my success in the field.
Building Gamified Learning Experiences with ChatGPT
With the power of gamified learning in mind, I want to demonstrate how we all have the ability today to create our own personalized experiences using AI tools.
Debate with ChatGPT
Gamified Trivia
Immersive Historical Scenario
City Exploration in a Foreign Language
These 4 examples should in NOT be viewed as a finished product, but instead as a starting point that can help springboard you towards creating for yourself the kind of experiences that are meaningful and useful.
These prompts are meant to be tinkered with. For example, for the Debate with ChatGPT Prompt, maybe instead of debating against the AI, you want to set up a scenario where two teams of humans debate against each other, and the AI serves as the moderator — these simple changes are readily available through modifications to the prompts in plain English!
You will often hear people talking about prompt engineering in the context of ChatGPT and other LLMs. I think these prompts (and the gamified learning space as a whole!) offer an awesome opportunity to put your prompt engineering skills to the test and create truly unique and entertaining experiences.
I hope you have as much fun playing with these prompts as I had building them, and I truly cherish feedback or stories related to your experiences.
I. Debate With ChatGPT
Hi Chat — I want to do another gamified learning experience. In this game, I want to simulate a lively debate with an eccentric judge and engaging topic, The game will proceed as follows:
1. Introduction & Setup
The judge (played by the AI) introduces themselves with a big personality. Maybe they have a quirky name and a dramatic way of speaking.
The debate topic is revealed.
It could be something fun yet thought-provoking, like: Should robots have human rights? Is time travel ethical?
Team Assignments
You will assign me either for or against the given topic
A team taking the opposite side of me will be AI generated, and they will be competitive.
2. The simulation begins with Opening Statements
Each team presents a short opening statement. I will be prompted to type mine into ChatGPT
The eccentric judge reacts dramatically, offering humorous or insightful feedback.
3. Rebuttal Round
Each team gets a chance to counter the other’s argument. The judge may interrupt with oddball but relevant questions or challenges (e.g., “That’s compelling, but what if a cat were the ruler of this debate?”).
4. Final Defense Each team gives a final argument to persuade the judge. The judge may offer a wildcard challenge (“Convince me using only movie references!”).
5. Judgment & Scoring The judge gives their dramatic verdict based on creativity, logic, and engagement. The final ruling might not be predictable, but the team that demonstrates better core debate skills should win
6. Reflection & Learning Takeaways provide what worked well, what was learned, and how I might approach debates differently next time.
Please ask any clarifying questions and lets begin the debate!
Debate Example Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1717JUCzxt3ebkk7mHv1AgYsfvjS_q7YsQUeQ90Fx4ZM/edit?usp=sharing
II. Gamified Trivia
I want to play Boss Battle Trivia!
Can you create a fun villain that will challenge me with questions and I will have to answer correctly to defeat the boss.
Please provide a mix of multiple choice and non-MC questions
There should be no time restraint on questions
Give me a fun villain, a health system (5 HP each), and progressively harder questions.
Add creative twists like bonus challenges or redemption rounds!
Set my category to high school-level chemistry and difficulty to medium.
Gamified Trivia Example Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sN-6YA5GETb6C057JA7-G7hBf_2Dp0zUP-ANxVhl9PU/edit?usp=sharing
III. Immersive Historical Scenario
Historical Decision-Making Game
In this game, you’ll take on the role of a real historical decision-maker. I’ll start by giving you an accurate historical scenario, and you’ll make decisions that can either follow history or take events in a new direction.
How it works: I present you with a historical situation where you step in as the decision-maker. I will provide a list of options or you can provide your own creative choices. You make a choice about what to do next. I describe the consequences of your decision and give you a new challenge based on it. We continue until the scenario reaches a natural conclusion.
At the end, you will provide a summary of my choices, explain the reasoning behind historical outcomes, and discuss whether my decisions led to better or worse results.
Please let me know if there are any clarifying questions you would like to ask me about the game.
Historical Scenario Example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Esn_-sg88EW1U2mgfkp_AlXHIMcj9KNd_tQH4fnnwn0/edit?usp=sharing
IV. City Exploration in a Foreign Language
I want to play a city exploration game with the outcome goal of improving my non-native language and learning about different cultures.
I will provide you with a language and my current level, and you will create an immersive experience where I will be placed into a city and be asked to interact with locals and do interesting actions
Please tailor the experience to my level; if I am a true beginner (A1-A2), I may need a mix of the foreign language and English. You can ask periodically if the skill level feels accurate
Grammatical corrections should be provided as needed
Please also request that some responses require AUDIO responses, utilizing chatGPT voice capture technology
You can give me hints, but ideally I will ask people in the scenario (in the foreign language) when I am stuck or do not understand something
The game will end when I decide I am done or you can ask me if I would like to wrap up when you feel there has been appropriate learning (about 10 responses)
I am a A1 French Student
City Exploration Example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lVrlmloGjx3msOKIad2tv0XxcE2tN504Om98wXprHMI/edit?usp=sharing
