A Creative Collaboration Between Digital Forensics and Game Design at Noroff University

The first group developed a game titled Cold Case, designed to help DFIR students enhance their problem-solving and investigative skills while piecing together evidence. This team incorporated feedback seamlessly into their work. The outcome exceeded all expectations, and even the trailer alone was awe-inspiring. This interactive game challenges players to solve a cold case by collecting and analysing digital data, complete with unexpected twists and turns that keep players on the edge of their seats. It’s a thrilling experience that I cannot wait to integrate into our curriculum. The effort and innovation poured into this game truly blew me away.

The second group created a serious game called DFU (Digital Forensic Unit) that serves as both a learning and assessment tool. It adheres closely to DFIR practices, including evidence handling, contemporaneous note-taking, and crime scene documentation. The group excelled in crafting a game that authentically mirrors real-life scenarios, providing an immersive and educational experience. One of its standout features is the ability to take contemporaneous notes and attach photos, which cannot be edited once submitted. These notes can also be exported as a PDF for review by staff and students. After piloting the game with some students, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with comments praising the game’s logic, art, and textures, and suggesting that future iterations could expand on its current level structure. This game shows tremendous potential as an educational tool, and I am excited about its future use within the curriculum.

The third group focused on a game called Digital Investigator that introduces students to forensic analysis of medical devices through a series of mini-games. This innovative approach encourages students to confront potential biases while compiling their findings and exposes them to alternative sources of evidence. It’s a pioneering concept that opens up new opportunities in digital forensics education and provides students with a broader understanding of the field.

This year’s module was led by Beatrice Losco , whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in producing results that far exceeded my expectations as the client. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with her. Special thanks also go to Joshua Griffin , who championed the idea of merging two distinct yet complementary programmes. The collaboration between these departments has yielded remarkable results, showcasing the unique strengths of both disciplines.

The level of creativity, innovation, and professionalism that has gone into these games has been truly inspiring. I am eager to share more about each game in the future and highlight their individual features, as they represent a significant step forward in combining education with interactive and immersive technology.