In a world where education meets entertainment, serious games have emerged as powerful tools that blur the lines between learning and fun. In this blog post, we’ll provide serious games examples, where education is no longer confined to textbooks and lectures but takes on a vibrant, interactive experience.
Table Of Contents
- What Is A Serious Game?
- Serious Games, Game-Based Learning, and Gamification: What Sets Them Apart?
- Serious Games Examples
- Key Takeaways
- FAQs
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What Is A Serious Game?
A serious game, also known as an applied game, is designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment. While they can be enjoyable to play, their primary goal is to educate, train, or raise awareness about a particular topic or skill.
Serious games can be applied across various fields, including education, healthcare, corporate training, and government, offering a dynamic and interactive approach to learning and problem-solving. Whether used to teach complex concepts, enhance critical thinking skills, or simulate professional scenarios, serious games represent an innovative fusion of entertainment and purposeful learning.
Serious Games, Game-Based Learning, and Gamification: What Sets Them Apart?
Serious Games, Game-Based Learning, and Gamification may sound similar, but they each bring something different to the table when it comes to learning and engagement.
| Aspect | Serious Games | Game-Based Learning | Gamification |
| Primary Purpose | Teach or train specific skills or knowledge engagingly. | Incorporate games into the learning process to enhance understanding. | Apply game elements to non-game activities for increased engagement. |
| Nature of Approach | Comprehensive games with educational objectives integrated. | Learning activities with game elements as part of the teaching method. | Adding game-like features to non-game scenarios. |
| Learning Environment | Immersive and standalone educational gaming experiences. | Integration of games within a traditional learning setting. | Overlaying game elements onto existing tasks or processes. |
| Focus | On both education and entertainment, blending seamlessly. | Utilizing games to enhance the learning experience. | Introducing game mechanics to increase motivation in non-game contexts. |
| Example | A simulation game is teaching history or a medical procedure. | Math problems are presented in the form of a game. | Employee training with a point-based reward system. |
| Goal | In-depth learning and skill development through gameplay. | Making learning more enjoyable and effective. | Enhancing engagement and motivation in tasks. |
In summary:
- Serious Games are complete games designed for learning.
- Game-based learning is using games in the classroom.
- Gamification is about making everyday things more fun by adding a touch of game-style excitement.
Serious Games Examples
Here are a few examples of serious games across different fields:
#1 - Minecraft: Education Edition - Serious Games Examples
Minecraft: Education Edition is developed by Mojang Studios and released by Microsoft. It aims to harness the creativity of students and educators for learning across various subjects.
The game is designed to promote collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. In the game, students can build virtual worlds, explore historical settings, simulate scientific concepts, and engage in immersive storytelling. Teachers can integrate lesson plans, challenges, and quizzes, making it a versatile tool for various subjects.
- Availability: Free for schools and educational institutions with a valid Office 365 Education account.
- Features: Includes a variety of pre-made lesson plans and activities, as well as tools for teachers to create their own.
- Impact: Studies have shown that Minecraft: Education Edition can lead to improved student engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
#2 - Re-Mission - Serious Games Examples
Re-Mission is a serious game designed to educate and motivate young cancer patients. Developed by Hopelab and supported by the nonprofit organization, it aims to improve treatment adherence and empower patients in their fight against cancer.
The game features a nanobot named Roxxi that players control to navigate through the body and combat cancer cells. Through gameplay, Re-Mission educates players about the effects of cancer and the importance of adhering to medical treatments. The game serves as a tool for conventional medical therapies, offering a unique approach to health education.
- Platforms: Available on PC and Mac.
- Age range: Primarily designed for children aged 8-12.
- Impact: Research suggests that Re-Mission can improve treatment adherence and reduce anxiety in young cancer patients.
#3 - DragonBox - Serious Games Examples
DragonBox is a series of educational games developed by WeWantToKnow. These games focus on making mathematics more accessible and enjoyable for students of various age groups.
By turning abstract mathematical ideas into engaging puzzles and challenges, the games aim to demystify algebra and help students build a strong foundation in mathematics.
- Platforms: Available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.
- Age range: Suitable for children aged 5 and older.
- Impact: DragonBox has received numerous awards and accolades for its innovative approach to teaching mathematics.
#4 - IBM CityOne - Serious Games Examples
IBM CityOne is a serious game that focuses on teaching business and technology concepts in the context of city planning and management. It is designed for both educational and corporate training purposes.
The game simulates the challenges faced by city leaders in areas such as energy management, water supply, and business development. By navigating these challenges, players gain insights into the complexities of urban systems, fostering an understanding of how technology and business strategies can address real-world problems.
- Platforms: Available online.
- Target audience: Designed for business professionals and students.
- Impact: IBM CityOne provides a valuable platform for developing strategic thinking, decision-making, and communication skills in the context of business and technology.
#5 - Food Force - Serious Games Examples
Food Force is a serious game developed by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). It aims to raise awareness about global hunger and the challenges of delivering food aid in emergencies.
The game takes players through six missions, each representing a different aspect of food distribution and humanitarian efforts. Players experience the complexities of delivering food aid in regions affected by conflict, natural disasters, and food shortages. Food Force serves as an educational tool to inform players about the realities of hunger and the work done by organizations like WFP.
It provides a firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations and the importance of addressing food crises on a global scale.
- Platforms: Available online and on mobile devices.
- Target audience: Designed for students and adults of all ages.
- Impact: Food Force has the potential to raise global awareness about hunger and promote action to address this issue.
#6 - SuperBetter - Serious Games Examples
SuperBetter takes a unique approach by focusing on improving players' mental and emotional well-being. Originally designed as a personal resilience tool, the game has gained popularity for its positive impact on mental health.
The primary goal of SuperBetter is to help individuals build resilience and overcome challenges, whether they are related to health issues, stress, or personal goals. Players can customize their "epic quests" within the game, turning real-life challenges into engaging and motivating adventures.
- Availability: Available on iOS, Android, and web platforms.
- Features: Includes a variety of tools and resources to support players on their journey, such as a mood tracker, habit tracker, and community forum.
- Impact: Research has shown that SuperBetter can lead to improvements in mood, anxiety, and self-efficacy.
#7 - Working with Water - Serious Games Examples
Working with Water provides players with a virtual environment where they take on the role of a farmer faced with decisions related to water usage and sustainable agricultural practices. The game is designed to educate players about the intricate balance between agricultural productivity and responsible water management.
- Platforms: Available online and through mobile apps.
- Target audience: Designed for students, farmers, and anyone interested in water management and agriculture.
- Impact: Working with Water has been shown to increase understanding of water conservation and sustainable farming practices.
Key Takeaways
These serious games examples demonstrate the various ways in which gaming technology can be used to address educational, health, and social issues. Each game uses immersive and interactive gameplay to create meaningful learning experiences.
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FAQs
What is considered a serious game?
A serious game is a game designed for a purpose beyond entertainment, often for educational, training, or informational objectives.
What is an example of a serious game in education?
Minecraft: Education Edition is an example of a serious game in education.
Is Minecraft a serious game?
Yes, Minecraft: Education Edition is considered a serious game as it serves educational objectives within a gaming environment.
Ref: Growth Engineering | LinkedIn
