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Jeroen Jansz and Mijke Slot

Have you ever wondered how playing games can help us to train people, deal with societal challenges or raise awareness of contemporary social issues?

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Have you ever wondered how playing games can help us to train people, deal with societal challenges or raise awareness of contemporary social issues?

In this MOOC you will learn the ins and outs of games that are designed with exactly those purposes in mind: serious games. We will define serious games and discuss the different types that have been developed. We will explain why people like to play them and what impact they may have. State of the art theories from game studies, philosophy and media psychology will be used to help you understand how serious games work and how they appeal to players. The potential impact of gaming is addressed in detail by discussing persuasive games, which aim at changing the player's attitude. Throughout the MOOC, theoretical insights will be illustrated with playful animations and case studies of serious games that are developed by world-class companies in the city of Rotterdam.

This MOOC is particularly interesting for you when you are a student considering to study digital media such as serious games, a professional interested in the opportunities these games may create for your organization, or a game developer who wants to know more about the impact serious games can have. Note that this MOOC will not teach you how to design a serious game.

Watch the teaser for this MOOC here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqjY1KSsEx8

Are you ready to broaden your vision on serious games? Join this course and be inspired!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Let the games begin: What are serious games?
Get ready to immerse yourself! This is the first week of the serious gaming course of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Although probably all of you have some personal experience with playing entertainment games – serious games are less known. To be able to study the subject, we first need to understand what serious games are. Therefore, we start this course by defining serious games and showing you what characteristics they have. Also, you might wonder if there is a clear difference between entertainment games and serious games; can entertainment games teach? Can serious games entertain? You will get an answer to these questions. Before we officially start, you might want to get an overview of the course and what you can expect the coming weeks. To make it easier for you to schedule your own learning path, we recommend that you watch the video: What can you expect of this course?
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Introduction to game theory
Now that we know what serious games are, we take you a level deeper. In this module we will provide you with two perspectives on games: the cultural perspective and the psychological perspective. The cultural perspective shows us how play and culture are connected. Humans are playful, and play serves a social function in our society. The psychological perspective explains in more depth why we keep on playing a game, even though we sometimes lose or get stuck in a level. You will learn about what is so motivating about games. We will not only discuss theories, but also give you a practical example of a serious game that encourages commuters to leave their car at home more often.
Different types of serious games
From a brain training game to a game that simulates working in the emergency room in the hospital; throughout this MOOC, you will learn that serious games are applicable in various situations. In this module, we will introduce you to a taxonomy of serious games; a classification of the different kinds of serious games. Gamification is the lightest form of serious games - game elements are used in a non-game context. Simulations are the most immersive and 'serious' type of serious games. Players can actually practice a certain skill in a game. In this module, you will not only get explanation, you can also take a look at three case studies.
Persuasive Gaming
So far you have learned what serious games are, how they are different from entertainment games and other media products, and you have seen a range of domains where serious games can be used. This module, we will dive into the way serious games work. How can a game influence the attitude of a player? You will be introduced to persuasive games. Rhetoric and psychological theories will help you to understand how the process of persuasion works. And we will analyze in practice how persuasive games can help us to feel empathy for poverty-stricken teenagers, what it feels like to have autism or understand the impact of gun violence.
The Impact of Serious Games
By now you probably wonder to what extent serious games actually reach their desired outcome. This seems to be the million-dollar-question, because when an organization invests serious money in a serious game, they would like to be sure it works. But the answer is not that simple. To know more about impact, you need to know more about what it means, its complexities and understand what we already know about the impact of serious games. You will need this knowledge to be able to assess claims on certain impacts serious games can have. This module, we do not have a separate case-study, but we invited three serious games researchers to a round table in the studio, in which they will tell you about their own case studies and research projects. Put on your lab coat!
The Futures of Serious Games
This is the final module of this course. Now you know and understand many aspects of serious games, and are aware of state-of-the-art research concerning the persuasiveness and impact of serious games, it is interesting to look forward. Although we do not own a crystal ball, we will explore some possible futures of serious games. Will we be playing games in virtual reality, or will we guide our game characters with our brains? We will discuss two technological developments in more detail; virtual reality and augmented reality. But before we look forward, this module will also provide you with a brief overview of all the things we have discussed so far. At the end, you will find the final quiz to test your knowledge gained throughout this course. Good luck!

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Well-structured and progressive program with a module-by-module tour of the history, culture, and impact of serious games
Engaging content that combines credible theories, gameplay principles, and illuminating case studies
Provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of serious games, making it suitable for beginners in the field
Taught by experienced instructors in the field of serious games, ensuring the credibility and relevance of the content
Notably suitable for entertainment game developers seeking to explore the potential of serious games in their domain
May require additional research and exploration for learners seeking a comprehensive understanding of game design principles

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Reviews summary

Valuable serious gaming course

Learners say this course is engaging and valuable for individuals interested in making changes happen. The videos encourage learner participation and applying concepts through gameplay. Students have ample review time and supportive, enthusiastic instructors.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Serious Gaming with these activities:
Identify Game Elements
Being able to identify the elements of a game is essential for understanding how games work and how to design them.
Show steps
  • Play a variety of games
  • Identify the elements of each game, such as the goal, rules, and challenges
Read 'The Art of Game Design' by Jesse Schell
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the game design process. It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about game design.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Take notes on important concepts
  • Apply what you have learned to your own game design projects
Develop a Game Concept
Developing a game concept is the first step in creating a serious game. This activity will help you to learn the basics of game design and development.
Browse courses on Game Design
Show steps
  • Read articles and books about game design
  • Watch tutorials on game development
  • Create a game concept document
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a Game Design Document
Creating a game design document is an important step in the game development process. This activity will help you to plan out your game and ensure that it is well-designed.
Browse courses on Game Design
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas for your game
  • Write a game design document
  • Get feedback on your game design document
Playtest Your Game Concept
Playtesting your game concept is an important step in the development process. This activity will help you to get feedback on your game from other people.
Browse courses on Playtesting
Show steps
  • Find some people to playtest your game concept
  • Observe how people play your game
  • Get feedback from the players
Attend a Game Design Workshop
Attending a game design workshop can be a great way to learn new skills and techniques. This activity will help you to connect with other game designers and learn from experienced professionals.
Browse courses on Game Design
Show steps
  • Find a game design workshop to attend
  • Attend the workshop
  • Take notes and ask questions
  • Apply what you have learned to your own game design projects
Mentor a New Game Designer
Mentoring a new game designer can be a rewarding experience. This activity will help you to share your knowledge and skills with others.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Find a new game designer to mentor
  • Meet with your mentee regularly
  • Provide feedback and guidance on their game design projects
  • Help your mentee to achieve their goals
Enter a Game Design Competition
Entering a game design competition can be a great way to test your skills and get feedback from other game designers. This activity will help you to improve your game design skills and build your portfolio.
Browse courses on Game Design
Show steps
  • Find a game design competition to enter
  • Create a game for the competition
  • Submit your game to the competition
  • Attend the award ceremony

Career center

Learners who complete Serious Gaming will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Serious Game Designer
Serious Game Designers are responsible for designing and developing games that are intended to be used for educational, training, or other non-entertainment purposes.
Persuasive Game Designer
Persuasive Game Designers are responsible for designing and developing games that are intended to change people's attitudes and behaviors.
Game Developer
Game Developers are responsible for programming and developing video games.
Game Designer
Game Designers are responsible for designing and developing video games.
Media Psychologist
Media Psychologists are responsible for studying the effects of media on human behavior. This course may be useful for Media Psychologists who want to learn more about how to use games and simulations to influence attitudes and behaviors.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers are responsible for designing and developing the user interface for websites, software applications, and other digital products.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications.
Advertising Creative
Advertising Creatives are responsible for developing and executing advertising campaigns.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists are responsible for managing the public image of organizations and individuals.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers are responsible for collecting and analyzing data about consumers and markets.
Educational Researcher
Educational Researchers are responsible for conducting research on how people learn. This course may be useful for Educational Researchers who want to learn more about how to use games and simulations to enhance learning.
Digital Marketing Specialist
Digital Marketing Specialists are responsible for planning and executing digital marketing campaigns.
Educational Psychologist
Educational Psychologists are responsible for studying how people learn and applying this knowledge to educational settings. This course may be useful for Educational Psychologists who want to learn more about how to use games and simulations to enhance learning.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to solve business problems.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers are responsible for designing and developing educational materials and resources. This course may be useful for Instructional Designers who want to learn more about how to use games and simulations to enhance learning.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Serious Gaming.
Collection of essays that explore the history, theory, and practice of game design. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the underlying principles of game design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the psychology of video games. It covers everything from the effects of games on cognition to the social and emotional impact of games.
Argues that games can be a force for good in the world. It explores how games can be used to solve problems, promote learning, and build community.
Provides a framework for gamifying education. It covers everything from the benefits of gamification to the challenges of gamifying educational content.
Explores the persuasive power of video games. It examines how games can be used to change people's attitudes and behaviors.
Explores the use of simulations in education. It covers everything from the benefits of simulations to the challenges of developing and implementing simulations.
Explores the use of digital game-based learning. It covers everything from the benefits of digital game-based learning to the challenges of designing and implementing digital game-based learning environments.
Provides a practical guide to game analytics. It covers everything from collecting and analyzing data to using data to improve game design.

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