Design and Development of “Synonym Battlefront”: A Gamified Approach to Enhancing Vocabulary Diversity in Academic Writing

Abstract

This paper presents the conceptualisation, design and development process of “Synonym
Battlefront,” a board game aimed at addressing the challenge of insufficient vocabulary knowledge
among non-native English-speaking university students, particularly in the context of academic
writing. While vocabulary diversity is essential for academic success, many students face
challenges related to vocabulary repetition, often stemming from restricted lexical awareness and
constrained language repertoires. To tackle this, this study introduces gamified strategies to
promote synonym usage through an engaging and interactive gameplay experience. Using iterative
design processes and playtesting, the game was evaluated for its efficacy in enhancing vocabulary
diversity and academic writing proficiency. The findings demonstrate the potential of educational
game design to overcome language learning challenges, foster meaningful engagement, and support
academic success. The results underscore the transformative potential of educational game design
in addressing language acquisition challenges, fostering sustained learner engagement, and
contributing to academic success in higher education contexts.