What does Immersive Learning cost - really?

Navigating the world of gamification and immersive learning can be a bit like venturing into a labyrinth, especially when it comes to understanding costs. If you’re aiming to integrate these innovative solutions into your training programs, the "cost of gamification" and the "cost of immersive learning" can seem like daunting obstacles.

How do you determine what drives costs up?

What can help keep costs in check?

Why is there such a stark difference in pricing across various providers?

In this friendly guide, we'll unpack these aspects, shedding light on why some companies charge a premium while others offer bargain-basement prices. By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of the financial landscape and be better equipped to make informed decisions for your organisation's learning and development needs.

What drives the price of Immersive Learning experiences?

When it comes to cost, several factors can drive expenses upward.

First, the scope and complexity of the game design plays a significant role.

• Narrative and Scenarios: Developing intricate storylines, choices, and characters is relatively resource intensive. It requires, time, thoughtfulness and testing.

• Realism and Accuracy: The complexity of model behind the experience is a key driving factor for cost. For example, how many choices would you like the learner to have? And how many outcomes do you want to model? It’s not a linear scale of more choice = higher cost, as certain models and approaches can mitigate the impact of complex simulations but it is a factor to consider. Lifelike graphics and audio can add to the expenses. Realistic elements enhance immersion, but they often necessitate additional costs.

• Game Mechanics: Complex mechanics, simulations, or gamification elements require extensive design, coding, and testing.

• Customisation: Customisation is another cost driver; tailoring a game to fit specific organisational needs involves additional development work and testing.

Secondly think about the technology and infrastructure.

• Platform and Device Requirements: Technology like VR or AR in immersive learning experiences can significantly increase the price tag due to the need for specialised hardware and software development expertise.

• Cross-platform Development: Building for multiple platforms (PC, mobile, VR, AR) adds complexity and additional testing and admin requirements.

• Integration with External Systems: While integrating with a standard LMS does not add a significant overhead, custom systems and reports can increase the budget.

• Ongoing maintenance and updates to keep the gamified elements engaging and relevant can add to the overall expenses.

Thirdly think about your internal costs.

• Content and SME’s: For serious games, subject matter experts (SMEs) are essential to ensure accuracy. SME involvement in design, development, and review stages adds to the costs.

• Review cycles: SMEs are often engaged multiple times throughout development to review and approve content, mechanics, and outcomes. The number and length of review cycles can significantly increase costs

• Too many voices: In software development we talk about having a ‘Product Owner’ - this is someone who holds the vision of what we’re creating and can lead on requirements. Where this role is lacking, and there are many different stakeholders driving the requirements, you often see conflict and contradiction and a significant amount of change which of course impacts costs.

Finally how you work with a vendor can also impact costs.

• Poor requirements: Having a vague brief and ill-defined requirements is one of the most effective ways to drive up costs. Assumptions, aligned stakeholders and expectations increase the risk of scope creep, rework, and miscommunication.

• Managing change: Managing stakeholders, iterative design changes, and maintaining alignment with the training goals can lengthen timelines and inflate budgets over the project lifecycle.

What can you expect from Totem?

At Totem, we understand that you have unique needs when it comes to gamification and immersive learning solutions. That's why we specialise in building custom solutions tailored to meet your specific requirements. As such, the cost of our services depends on the complexity and scope of the project, but we do promise;

• Tailored Design: Our team works closely with you to develop a solution that aligns perfectly with your learning objectives, ensuring that every element is designed to maximise engagement and effectiveness.

• Scalable Frameworks: Whether you’re rolling out a learning program to a small team or a large organisation, our solutions are designed to be scalable, enabling you to expand seamlessly as your needs grow.

• Continuous Support: We offer ongoing support and updates to ensure your solutions remain current and continue to meet your objectives over time.