Educational games have the potential to make learning more engaging and enjoyable, but integrating learning content often reduces their entertainment value. This project aims to identify the key game elements that trigger intrinsic motivation in students, making educational games both fun and effective. By reviewing fundamental motivation and play theories, and analyzing existing educational games, we will pinpoint the most impactful game elements. These findings will provide a strong theoretical and practical foundation for designing educational games that are intrinsically motivating and engaging. The project will contribute to the development of more effective educational games, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.