Serious Games for a Sustainable World: Design and Implementation of Values-based Digital Games for the Young

The vision and aim of this research is to combine digital game design theories with decision-making theories to propose artefacts for the creation, analysis, and implementation of values-based digital games for the young. In particular, to propose a platform to guide the values-based design and implementation of games. Studies show that many digital games include violence and about half of the violent incidents have negative repercussions such as increased aggression, serious injuries or death in the "real" world. This influential nature of digital games therefore calls for research on ways in which they can be leveraged instead. One way is to use digital games to foster positive values, including sustainable practices. This is especially relevant to young players that are considered most malleable. Digital games present constant opportunities for decision-making, eliciting and influencing players’ decision-making models. As players interact with games, they go through several decision-making cycles, each time, subconsciously reviewing the consequences of their actions to guide future decisions. In essence, players’ virtual worlds and real worlds start converging and affecting their attitudes, beliefs, behaviors and consequently actions, in either world. This research will use a multi-methodological approach combining qualitative research methods with design science to explore and create tools to guide the design and implementation of digital games for the young. Our ultimate goal and hope is that these tools will help bring about positive changes in individuals, families and organizations to foster a more sustainable world.