Serious games : games for health Dr Andrew Campbell

Games for Health
This talk will cover:
Provide a history on gaming: particularly the advent of ‘serious games’ and simulations for education and health management.
Demonstrate existing games development for such health areas as pain management, nutrition, mental health and neurological disorders.
Outline the challenges these games face in both development and implementation through reviewing existing projects.
Conclude with a projection of the future of serious games for health.
Games for Health

Game Theory
Obviously – there must be an aspect of fun!
What other aspects attract and compel people to play games? [Think of all sorts of games, be they sport, board games, card games, computer games etc!]
There are 3 main facets to making a good game: 1. Control 2. Mastery 3. Flow
Games improve learning and memory!
Why do people play games?

History of Electronic/Computer Games
“ Pong” (1977) – was NOT the first computer game, but it was the first at home for private use game. Principle was based on tennis.
The advent of computer games in the home led to genre defining games, such as: - First Person Shooters (FPS) - Real Time Strategy (e.g. Populous) - Role Playing Games (e.g. Adventure Games)
The Evolution of Computer Games – The 70’s

The mid 80’s saw new demand for games: 1. Edu-gaming 2. Arcades (Graphics demand) vs. Home Console 3. Game Tournaments
The Evolution of Computer Games – The 80’s

The Games Industry Exploded in the 1990s!!
Personal Computer Games
Game Dedicated Consoles
Hand Held Consoles
Online Gaming!
Evolution of Computer Games – The 90’s

The new Century brought:
Online Gaming Communities (e.g. Massive Multiplayer Role Playing Games)
Casual Gaming
Mobile Gaming
Gaming & Social Networking
Unheralded Graphics & Story Line
Edu-Gaming Industry
Serious Games Industry!
Evolution of Computer Games – The new Millennia

Serious Games
A Serious Game is:
A game based activity that leads the user to obtain: - New knowledge on a serious topic - Lead to positive changes in behaviour
Research and Development of Serious games are predominantly routed in the history of Edu-Gaming.
The ultimate goal of a serious game is to: - Be as engaging as a main-stream leisure game - Lead to new skill set development or individual knowledge development - To promote reinforcement of new behaviour past the point of game play
What is a Serious Game?

Examples of Serious Games for Health
Exer-gaming
The Wii is the leading home Exer-gaming platform in the world at present – Thought the Kinect is fast growing in popularity.
Health organisations in Australia, USA and UK see it as more effective than advertising to the public to take up exercise!
Problems with Wii & Kinect: - Types of exercises are limited - Not suitable for all ages, especially very elderly - Outcome measurement and Cost
Serious Games for Health

Virtual Reality Serious Games for Pain Management: - Snow World (2008)
Game has proven to be very effective in reducing pain in burns victims
Used during and after treatment
Has been evidence-based through MRI studies in 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNIqyyypojg
Problems: - In hospital use only at present. Home Virtual Reality systems still expensive. - Repeated means may lead to decline in therapy outcome over time.

Examples of Serious Games for Mental Health
Games for Mental Health: - ReachOut Central! (aka ROC) & Second Life
These modalities claim to assist youth aged 12-25 with depression, anxiety and social fearfulness.
ROC is set in a ‘soap opera’ setting with you being the central character learning how to adjust to a serious of social problems most youth are often faced with.
http://www.reachoutcentral.com.au/
Second Life is a Virtual World that does have virtual therapists (!?)
Serious Games for Mental Health

Biofeedback Games
“ Journey to the Wild Divine” (Biofeedback gaming for ADHD – Amon & Campbell, 2008)
Scientifically tested over 4 years at Sydney University with ADHD children. - Found to increase attention - Improve memory recall - Promote self-calming - Translate to behaviour improvement without the game being played!
As seen on the 7:30 Report – June, 2008 http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s2265178.htm
Biofeedback Games have been found to increase learning and attention.

Games for Cancer Kids:
Re-Mission (2006) by HopeLabs
Aims to reduce fear and give empowerment to kids undergoing Cancer Treatment.
Study in 2006 found the game did more than empower kids!
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s2067977.htm
Problem: - Medical Trial Testing

Developing a Serious Game for Libraries
1. Take a few minutes to determine: - A Library Issue/topic you wish to educate people about, or change the behaviour in a person towards accessing and attending libraries.
2. Describe in 20 words or less the game concept, its goal, how it’s played, where it’s played, etc?
3. Think about how you would test the game to make sure it captures the 'players' you want?
If we have time, I would be happy to talk with you about how to make inexpensive games for your libraries – Tip: Look into casual game creation on social network sites!
Exercise: Developing Game Concepts for Libraries

Challenges in Popular Game Production
Professional Game development, in general, takes more than 12 – 18 months.
It is expensive for the leisure market and could be even more costly for the serious games market – why – because we need to know the game will return it's investment.
For Health, there are Ethical Considerations:
Intrusiveness into peoples problems
Health Information Sharing and Record Security
Crisis Management
Business Ethics: Who has the Intellectual Property?
What other issues about game development and delivery in libraries might need to be considered?
Considerations for Serious Games

Facts and Figures
According to a study in 2009 by Bond University, 68% of Australian’s play computer games of some sort.
The games industry is expected to yield an annual income of 500 Billion in 2011.
Serious Games are the next sector of the games industry to grow in profitability by 120 billion dollars by 2012.
Serious Games are likely to be pioneered by the Asian market.
What we know about the growth of games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjGJTST8DSg
http://www.gamesforhealth.org/
http://www.healthgamesresearch.org/
http://www.seriousgamesinstitute.org.uk/
What’s Coming in the next 5 years

Conclusion
Serious Games are growing and all industry sectors are taking part: - Business - Technology - Education - Health - Hospitality - Environmental - Government & Defence
Games promote inquiry
Games promote learning
Games promote social connections
Games are fun! 
Games to promote engagement!

Serious games : games for health Dr Andrew Campbell

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Serious games : games for health Dr Andrew Campbell Presentation Transcript