Quest vs. Drive: When each is appropriate

Knowledge Guru has three game apps that offer different learner and gameplay experiences. Quest uses a question/answer format. Drive uses mini-games that are more robust in the gaming aspect and go beyond simple question/answer. This article explains the main differences between Quest and Drive in terms of instructional design, use cases, and player experience.

Want the short and sweet version? Here’s a summary chart.

Now, let’s break it down. When it comes to instructional design, all the Knowledge Guru apps share four core design elements, but there are a lot of differences as well. The chart below shows these differences.

Attribute Drive – Daily 3 minigame delivery Drive – Custom minigame delivery Quest
Uses some method of spacing/repetition to reinforce and enable remembering. X X X
Ties to scoring performance. X X X
Links content to learning objectives. X X X
Provides immediate feedback. X X X
Heavily emphasizes adaptive, personalized learning with app adjusting learning content based on user’s performance and confidence ratings. X  
Optimized for microlearning with a goal of 5 minutes/session and experiences that require about 2-3 weeks of effort to conclude. X  
Game spacing and order can be customized.   X  
Players work toward a mastery rating. Spaced repetition influenced by player’s performance and confidence. X X
Uses mini-games as means of practice; each mini-game focuses on a single learning objective for laser focus. X X
On any day of play, players will encounter a maximum of 3 learning objectives. X  
Integrates Bloom’s taxonomy into creation of objectives AND into association of specific mini-games with specific levels of Bloom’s taxonomy. X X
Repeats every topic in each World of game. Players get first iteration of content in World A, second iteration in World B, and final in World C.   X
Concludes each world with a “bonus gate” game. This game presents learners with questions they made errors on FIRST.   X
Allows authors to adjust game spacing. X X
Several Q-type choices including ability to incorporate URLs for videos and online resources into questions.   X
Includes option to have “performance challenges,” which are a means of providing Accounts for need to provide skill practice or job-related activities.   X
Every topic in game has learning objectives associated with it. Every learning objective has question sets or game content associated with it. X X X

Each Knowledge Guru app has a unique user experience and game design. The chart below describes their unique attributes.

Attribute Drive – Daily 3 minigame delivery Drive – Custom minigame delivery Quest
Optimized for phone, tablet, or desktop X X X
Game elements: mastery scoring, leaderboards, mini-games w/ mini-challenges, aesthetics, personalization, feedback. X X
Game elements: leaderboards, personalization options (character, Guru selection), feedback, levels, star ratings, power-ups, aesthetics, challenge.   X
Intended to mirror experience of casual mobile game with quick in/out. Most sophisticated look/feel with goal toward “minimalism.” X  
Larger area for questions and for images associated w/questions.   X
Most sophisticated use of learning games, going beyond simple Q&A. X X
Provides most robust player-facing analytics and ID of strengths/weaknesses. X X
Player-facing analytics that show scoring, rank, and performance plus player summary report given after each World of play.   X

The chart below shows the possible use cases for each Knowledge Guru app.

Use Case Drive – Daily 3 minigame delivery Drive – Custom minigame delivery Quest
Pre-work   X
Post-training reinforcement X X X
Targeted to sales reps/sales training reinforcement X X
Can be used to reinforce product positioning, industry knowledge, competitors, objection handling, etc. X   X
Play during a live event   X X
Product and process training   X
Compliance training   X

Here are some questions that might help you decide.
Not sure which app is right?

  1. Are you limited to IE8? If IE8 is an absolute requirement, then Legend is the game type you need to use.
  2. Do you want option of play on a smartphone? If yes, use Quest or Drive.
  3. Are you focused on micro-learning? If yes, Drive or Quest is best.
  4. Do you need learners to only be able to complete questions associated with ONE topic at a time? If controlling access to topics matters, then go with Legend or Drive with Custom minigame delivery.
  5. Would you like the game to include skill components – where players actually practice a skill or do something in addition to answering game questions? If yes, choose Quest.
  6. Do you want game play to continue across several days or weeks to maximize benefits of spaced repetition?If so, choose Quest or Drive Daily 3 minigame delivery.
  7. Does your game need more than 4 topics? If so, choose Quest or Drive.
  8. Are you looking for a one-time, quick-play experience? Choose Legend – you can set up a small game that only has 9 to 12 question sets. People can play in about 15 minutes/ time. Use it to reinforce 1-3 key concepts.
  9. Do you want to incorporate video?If so, choose Quest or Drive.
  10. Is your focus reinforcement and / or adaptive learning? Choose Drive.