Tools and methods to support the key phases of serious game development in the health sector

Thesis event information

Date and time of the thesis defence

Place of the thesis defence

Linnanmaa L10 + https://oulu.zoom.us/j/68428361333

Topic of the dissertation

Tools and methods to support the key phases of serious game development in the health sector

Doctoral candidate

Master of Science Tanja Korhonen

Faculty and unit

University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, M3S

Subject of study

Computer science

Opponent

Professor Olga De Troyer, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Custos

Docent Raija Halonen, University of Oulu

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Tools and methods to support the key phases of serious game development in the health sector

Health-care service providers are searching for new digital tools to support their customers, and health games can provide cost-effective and motivating means in this regard. Serious games in the health sector aim to inspire users to enhance their psychological, physical and social well-being. As the development of health games requires the involvement of many disciplines, research from a multidisciplinary point of view is needed.

This multimethod dissertation consists of six studies. As answer to the research question of this dissertation "What kind of tools and methods are needed to support key phases of the serious game (SG) development process in the health sector?", the process of developing serious games in the health sector, as well as a new serious games development tools and methods (SGTM) model is presented.

The SGTM model describes four sections as tools and methods: 1) SGs rapid prototyping workshop, 2) an SG design canvas and education, 3) multidisciplinary cooperation and 4) evidence and guidelines. This thesis proposes the new model to be used by practitioners and academics. SG designers are encouraged to select the tools and methods that fit their own design frameworks. In addition, more research is needed to explore how to support experts with cross-disciplinary backgrounds involved in SG development.
Last updated: 1.3.2023