Designing serious video games for health behavior change: current status and future directions

J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2012 Jul 1;6(4):807-11. doi: 10.1177/193229681200600411.

Abstract

Serious video games for health are designed to entertain while changing a specific health behavior. This article identifies behavioral principles that can guide the development of serious video games focused on changing a variety of health behaviors, including those attempting to decrease risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Guidelines discussed include how to develop video games that provide a solid foundation for behavior change by enhancing a player's knowledge and skill, ways in which personal mastery experiences can be incorporated into a video game environment, using game characters and avatars to promote observational learning, creating personalized experiences through tailoring, and the importance of achieving a balance between "fun-ness" and "seriousness." The article concludes with suggestions for future research needed to inform this rapidly growing field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy*
  • Endocrinology / instrumentation
  • Endocrinology / methods
  • Endocrinology / trends*
  • Equipment Design / methods
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / therapy
  • Self Care / instrumentation*
  • Self Care / methods
  • Video Games*