Serious Games, Changes, and Theories: Understanding Mechanisms of How Serious Games Work

• In Event: Exploring the Pedagogy of Stability and Change: Empirical Studies in Experiential Learning

Abstract

Games features such as enjoyment, interactivity, and mastery experiences are often said to help knowledge acquisition and persuasion, but the evidence is meager on how these features help games work. By borrowing lessons from theories developed in communication and psychology, this essay aims to deepen our understanding of how serious games work. I will identify five underlying mechanisms and principles and explain them using theoretical and/or empirical evidence.

Author

• Jae Eun Chung, University of Southern California