Games in Times of a Pandemic: Structured Overview of COVID-19 Serious Games

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic introduced an urgent need for effective strategies to disseminate crucial knowledge and improve people’s subjective well-being. Complementing more conventional approaches to knowledge dissemination, game-based interventions were developed to create awareness and educate people about the pandemic, hoping to change their attitudes and behavior. Objective This study provided an overview and analysis of digital and analog game-based interventions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. As major pandemics and other large-scale disruptive events are expected to increase in frequency in the coming decades, this analysis aimed to inform the design, uptake, and effects of similar future interventions. Methods From November 2021 to April 2022, Scopus, Google, and YouTube were searched for articles and videos describing COVID-19–themed game-based interventions. Information regarding authorship, year of development or launch, country of origin, license, deployment, genre or type, target audience, player interaction, in-game goal, and intended transfer effects was extracted. Information regarding intervention effectiveness was retrieved where possible. Results A diverse assortment of 23 analog and 43 digital serious games was identified, approximately one-third of them (25/66, 38%) through scientific articles. Most of these games were developed by research institutions in 2020 (13/66, 20%) and originated in Europe and North America (38/66, 58%). A limited number (20/66, 30%) were tested on relatively small samples, using a diversity of research methods to assess the potential changes in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors as well as their gameplay experience. Although most of the evaluated games (11/20, 55%) effectively engaged and motivated the players, increased awareness, and improved their understanding of COVID-19–related issues, the games’ success in influencing people’s behavior was often unclear or limited. Conclusions To increase the impact of similar future interventions aimed at disseminating knowledge and influencing people’s attitudes and behaviors during a large-scale crisis, some considerations are suggested. On the basis of the study results and informed by existing game theories, recommendations are made in relation to game development, deployment, and distribution; game users, design, and use; game design terminology; and effectiveness testing for serious games.

Lockdown! Learning public health of infectious diseases through gameplay

“…Since its release in 2021, the game has received positive reviews in scientific evaluation of COVID-19 related games ( 2 , 3 ) from a national newspaper in Singapore ( 4 ) as well as from the public, such as online customers, YouTubers, and primary/secondary school and undergraduate students. Games such as Lockdown!…”

Gamification and Soft Skills Assessment in the Development of a Serious Game: Design and Feasibility Pilot Study

“…An evidence-based approach to gamification considers its effectiveness to be dependent on the use of scientifically proven principles and tactics that can impact outcomes [44]. Optimistic results have been found in the integration of some of the newest technologies, as AI, virtual reality, and serious games are being increasingly used in several industries, such as the healthcare industry where there was a great effort concerning new technologies and research during the COVID-19 pandemic, yielding favorable outcomes for the treatment of various health conditions as well as for medical education and training [45][46][47]. Moreover, Schönbohm and Zhang [48] revealed the effectiveness of serious games in facilitating strategic decision-making in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

An Impact-Centered, Sustainable, Positive Experience Design Model

“…In recent studies, the user-centered research perspective has gradually changed, and scholars are beginning to explore how to design long-range positive impacts to achieve users' long-term personal and social well-being. For example, Kermavnar has designed a serious game about COVID-19 knowledge to influence users' behaviors and attitudes through short-term experiences [7]. In a framework of artificial intelligence systems established by Maden to support community well-being, more attention is paid to influencing residents' happiness through community construction [8].…”