Should We Play Games Where Energy Is Concerned? Perceptions of Serious Gaming as a Technology to Motivate Energy Behaviour Change among Social Housing Residents

Abstract

The invisibility and intangibility of energy are key challenges faced by communicators looking to reduce household energy demand. 'Serious games'-defined as formalized, goal-oriented games designed to educate, or promote health and well-being-are one potential strategy that may help to alleviate these challenges. This paper discusses the suitability of serious gaming as an educational and behavioural change tool within the context of social housing-a faction often overlooked when it comes to household energy research. The paper takes a two-part approach. First, we review current literature on serious energy games, and second, we discuss perceptions of serious energy games amongst social housing residents using data from two surveys (Survey A, n = 536; Survey B, n = 78). Perceptions of serious energy games were found to be mixed. Some residents liked the idea of a game for energy, particularly if clear, actionable solutions for reducing energy bills were provided. However, others were disinterested, due to existing time pressures, negative perceptions of gaming, and limited confidence using computers or tablets. As such, uptake may be met with challenges. The findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary collaborations and user-led approaches for the design of successful and engaging serious energy games.

Outstanding Videogames on Water: A Quality Assessment Review Based on Evidence of Narrative, Gameplay and Educational Criteria

“…Results show that there have not been statistically significant differences after development is an interesting way to acquire the managerial skills required to effect change and to develop and increase attitudes, knowledge and awareness in a sustainable perspective [67]. Games present great opportunities as tools of edutainment (educational entertainment) for teaching and training, with positive effects on learning outcomes [68].…”

Social Innovation and the Energy Transition

“…12 of these articles concerned qualitative research methods, and quantitative research methods are used in 5 other articles. 3 articles concerned review articles presenting systematic academic literature reviews, leading to development of conceptual frameworks and propositions that can be of use in future research [50,60,64]. 2 articles used and analyzed serious games [50,59].…”

“…This special issue contains research from authors from all over the world. Insights are shared from Lebanon [45], Poland [46], India [47], Japan [48], Croatia, Spain [49], the UK [50,51], Portugal [52], and The Netherlands [53][54][55][56][57] leading to new perspectives on how social innovation is perceived in globally dispersed countries. Other contributions cover studies comprising of multiple countries like selected Member States within the European Union [58][59][60], countries within the OECD [61], or the European Union as an entity itself [62].…”

“…Article contributions to this special issue came from a wide set of academic disciplines from the behavioral and social sciences, like law [49,62], psychology [46,50,51,56], sociology [45,53], governance and policy studies [54,57,59], economics [48,60,63], econometrics [61], anthropology [47,52], ethics [56], geography [55,64], and environmental sciences [58].…”

Outstanding Videogames on Water: a Quality Assessment Review Based on Evidences of Narrative, Gameplay & Didactic Criteria

“…Use videogames for teaching sustainable development is an interesting way to acquire managerial skills required to effect change and to develop and increase attitudes, knowledge and awareness in a sustainable perspective [54]. Games 4 of 29 present great opportunities as tools of edutainment (educational entertainment) for teaching and training, with positive effects on learning outcomes [50].…”