Teaching soft skills in higher education through serious games: validation of the Compete! gamification

• Published in: Smart learning environments Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 49 - 21
• Main Authors: López-Serrano, Aida, McGowan, Nadia, Moreno-Ger, Pablo, Burgos, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.12.2025; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Collaboration; Compete; Competence; Computers and Education; Cooperative Learning; Curricula; Decision making; Decision Making Skills; Distance Education; Education; Educational objectives; Effectiveness; Employability; Erasmus; Experiential Learning; Feedback; Game Based Learning; Game design; Games; Gamification; Higher education; Immersive learning; Intellectual Disciplines; Interpersonal Competence; Job Skills; Knowledge; Learner Engagement; Learning Experience; Learning Strategies; Methods; Motivation; Problem solving; Professional Education; Real time; Reflective teaching; Resilience (Psychology); Retention (Psychology); Serious games; Simulation; Skill development; Skills; Soft skills; Stress Management; Student Characteristics; Student Motivation; Students; Teamwork; University students; Game design; Higher education; Employability; Compete; Serious games; Soft skills; Erasmus
• ISSN: 2196-7091; 2196-7091
• DOI: 10.1186/s40561-025-00401-5

Soft skills, essential for employability and professional success, are often underemphasised in traditional higher education curricula. This study assesses the effectiveness of Compete! , a serious game developed under the Erasmus+ program, in enhancing students' awareness of key soft skills, including creative problem-solving, effective communication, stress management, and teamwork. The game simulates professional scenarios requiring strategic decision-making, providing real-time feedback, and fostering reflective learning. A pilot test conducted with 63 business students at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja during the 2023–2024 academic year employed pre- and post-game surveys to assess changes in perceptions of soft skills. Results revealed statistically significant improvements across 13 of 18 competencies, with notable increases in confidence and the perceived importance of teamwork and stress management. Findings highlight the potential of serious games as innovative tools for integrating soft skills into higher education, underscoring their role in preparing students for the complex challenges of the workplace. The study calls for broader institutional adoption and curriculum integration of gamified approaches to enhance employability.