Regarding the issue of role-playing games (RPG) and the experiential learning cycle (ELC), the integration of RPG use as a pedagogical and simulation tool for practice and ELC as a learning theoretical foundation is essential for promoting students' effective learning. However, few studies have applied RPG to simulate the practice with the ELC stages, namely, concrete experience (CE), reflective observation (RO), abstract conceptualization, (AC) and active experimentation (AE), to examine the learning process and further enhance the effective learning outcomes for learners. This study integrates the RPG development and use for practice derived from the ELC's four stages based on practising the project assessment of software development in a software engineering course. The results show a significant improvement in students' learning outcomes after RPG use. More importantly, this study provides the major activities and findings of each ELC stage via RPG use and the mapping of RPG activities with ELC stages. The insightful implications and suggestions of this study are discussed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.