Field Notes (6): Taking Serious Games Seriously
The struggle with mass appeal
Field Notes: Highlights digital tools, articles, books, and resources for historiographical video game design and production.
In an industry driven by profit and mass appeal, serious video game design, commercial and non-commercial, presents a fascinating opportunity for collaboration between game designers, educators, and scholars.
Grounded in theories of experiential learning and situated cognition, serious video games are designed specifically to promote active learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Players are often required to interact deeply with the content, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. The interactive nature of these games ensures sustained engagement, which can lead to better information retention and a profound understanding of the subject matter (Celestini, 2021).
Additionally, serious games frequently employ a situated cognition approach by simulating real-world scenarios. This allows learners to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts, thereby making the learning experience more relevant and meaningful (Coelho et al., 2020). The incorporation of fun and challenging elements also boosts motivation and engagement, particularly among younger learners but also unconventional learners of all ages (Read, 2015).
The central thesis here is that these games, by promoting active learning and critical thinking, serve as effective tools for teaching complex subjects like history. This potential is realized when games are designed with both accuracy and pedagogical intent, allowing for an immersive learning experience that engages players in critical analysis and empathy.
Serious video games can reconstruct historical events, cultures, and contexts to provide players with immersive experiences that deepen their understanding of the past. By allowing players to step into the shoes of historical figures or witness events firsthand, these games facilitate a form of experiential learning that conventional methods often cannot match.
Concluding Thoughts
Serious video game design offers a meaningful alternative to the mindless repetition characteristic of much commercial entertainment. By emphasizing education, cognitive engagement, emotional depth, and artistic innovation, serious games provide enriching and enjoyable experiences. The potential of serious gaming to educate, inspire, and provoke thought is evident. As the industry evolves, lessons from serious game design may influence the broader landscape of video game development, leading to more innovative and purposeful gaming experiences. Serious video games demonstrate that gaming can transcend mere entertainment to become a powerful tool for learning, reflection, and artistic expression.
References
Celestini, A. (2021). Serious Games in Higher Distance Education. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 24(3), 234-245. https://doi.org/10.21432/CJLT27965
Coelho, A., Barros, P., & Moreira, P. (2020). Situated Cognition in Serious Games: Contextual Learning and Transfer. Computers & Education, 147, 103781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103781
Read, J. C. (2015). Serious Games in Education: Motivating Students Through Fun and Engagement. International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 5(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.2015010101
PostScript: Useful Resources
The Serious Games Society
https://seriousgamessociety.org/
Games for Change
https://www.gamesforchange.org/