"pray for Green, Play for Green": Integrating Religion into Climate Change Serious Games

Abstract

Effective climate change games must recognize the unique relations various communities have with nature. Further, these serious games must factor how climate change diversely impacts different communities. This paper explores the use of religious narratives and rituals in serious games to communicate the impact of climate change within faith-based communities. The study examines whether integrating religion into serious games can help individuals within these faith-based communities reflect on their connection to the environment and increase their interest in climate change. We present Shloka, a serious game that incorporates Hindu rituals and narratives, to demonstrate how integrating religious elements can amplify situational interest, deepen engagement, and provoke thoughtful reflection on climate change within these communities.