Serious video games for health: How behavioural science guided the development of a serious video game

D Thompson, T Baranowski, R Buday, J Baranowski, V Thompson, RP Jago, MJ Griffith

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

    294 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Serious video games for health are designed to entertain players while attempting to modify some aspect of their health behavior. Behavior is a complex process influenced by multiple factors, often making it difficult to change. Behavioral science provides insight into factors that influence specific actions that can be used to guide key game design decisions. This article reports how behavioral science guided the design of a serious video game to prevent Type 2 diabetes and obesity among youth, two health problems increasing in prevalence. It demonstrates how video game designers and behavioral scientists can combine their unique talents to create a highly focused serious video game that entertains while promoting behavior change.
    Translated title of the contributionSerious video games for health: How behavioural science guided the development of a serious video game
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)587 - 606
    Number of pages20
    JournalSimulation & Gaming
    Volume41
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2010

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher: Sage

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