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

Author

Listed:
  • Debbe Thompson

    (USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)

  • Tom Baranowski

    (USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)

  • Richard Buday

    (Archimage, Inc., Houston, Texas, USA)

  • Janice Baranowski

    (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)

  • Victoria Thompson

    (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA)

  • Russell Jago

    (University of Bristol, UK)

  • Melissa Juliano Griffith

    (USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Debbe Thompson & Tom Baranowski & Richard Buday & Janice Baranowski & Victoria Thompson & Russell Jago & Melissa Juliano Griffith, 2010. "Serious Video Games for Health: How Behavioral Science Guided the Development of a Serious Video Game," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 41(4), pages 587-606, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:simgam:v:41:y:2010:i:4:p:587-606
    DOI: 10.1177/1046878108328087
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David M. Gaba & Steven K. Howard & Kevin J. Fish & Brian E. Smith & Yasser A. Sowb, 2001. "Simulation-Based Training in Anesthesia Crisis Resource Management (ACRM): A Decade of Experience," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 32(2), pages 175-193, June.
    2. Herbert H. Wideman & Ronald D. Owston & Christine Brown & Andre Kushniruk & Francis Ho & Kevin C. Pitts, 2007. "Unpacking the potential of educational gaming: A new tool for gaming research," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 38(1), pages 10-30, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. repec:plo:pone00:0190984 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Dalia Majumdar & Pamela A. Koch & Heewon Lee Gray & Isobel R. Contento & Ana de Lourdes Islas-Ramos & Daniel Fu, 2015. "Nutrition Science and Behavioral Theories Integrated in a Serious Game for Adolescents," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(1), pages 68-97, February.
    3. Tracey Ledoux & Melissa Griffith & Debbe Thompson & Nga Nguyen & Kathy Watson & Janice Baranowski & Richard Buday & Dina Abdelsamad & Tom Baranowski, 2016. "An Educational Video Game for Nutrition of Young People," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 47(4), pages 490-516, August.
    4. Christle Grace G. Carabeo & Charisse May M. Dalida & Erica Marla Z. Padilla & Ma. Mercedes T. Rodrigo, 2014. "Stroke Patient Rehabilitation," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 45(2), pages 151-166, April.

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