Games for change: The strategic design of interactive persuasive systems

Abstract

Games for Change are designed to promote positive social impacts leading to reflection and behavior change of the players. However, it is a challenge to develop games that are motivators and, at the same time, stimulate positive changes. Therefore, in order to help designers to achieve these objectives, thirteen (13) design elements divided into three (3) structural strategic foci were proposed. To validate these elements, the Games for Change Ecocity (Brazil) and Half The Sky - The Game (USA) were analyzed. As a result, the design elements proposal helped to identify which aspects of each one of the analyzed games were responsible for the performance regarding the players behavior change and ability to motivate.