Serious Video Games for Health: How Behavioral Science Guided the Development of a Serious Video Game

TLDR

Serious video games for health aim to entertain players while modifying health behaviors, yet behavior is complex and influenced by many factors, so behavioral science offers insights to guide effective game design. This article reports how behavioral science guided the design of a serious video game to prevent Type 2 diabetes and obesity among youth. It demonstrates that video game designers and behavioral scientists can combine their talents to create a highly focused serious video game that entertains while promoting behavior change.

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.