Split Screen - Split Mind: An Innovative Format for Narrative Reflexive, and Pedagogical Games

Split screen is a cinematographic device in which the screen is divided into sub-sections representing different views. It is used only occasionally in films and narrative games, as it may be confusing and disrupts immersion. In this article, we propose to use split screen for learning purposes, and describe a fully implemented serious game based on the concept of simultaneous debriefing. The screen is divided into one part representing a character telling his story, and another part representing this told story, interaction occurring at both levels. A qualitative evaluation showed that the game was not confusing for most users and that the split screen did change the in-game behavior and the vision of the story. However a minority of players reported that split screen improved their learning.