GAMING HAS GROWN UP

Specially crafted games can help individuals lead a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Find out how

-  Nishtha Phutela

By using an engaging format and features such as a scoreboard and rewards, games can help raise awareness of an issue or disease. Players are learning about climate change, hurricane safety, type 1 diabetes and infection control practices during a pandemic. And they are having fun while doing so.

Serious games—so-called because they are designed for purposes beyond pure entertainment—are being used for several purposes.

These include encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyle changes, develop better social skills, be persuaded and recruited to various causes, and for campaigning in politics. Such games can also be used to teach medical students how to diagnose certain conditions.

Many serious games have been developed for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, autism and obesity.

For example, a modified version of the Mario brothers' computer game helps children learn about type 1 diabetes and how to better control their blood sugar levels.

The game challenges players to manage Mario's blood sugar levels by ensuring he makes healthy dietary choices and gets enough physical activity.

Such games score over social media platforms as tools to create awareness because social media can spread misinformation too.

Games, on the other hand, are designed and evaluated by experts. By using an engaging format and features such as a scoreboard, bonuses and other incentives, serious games help raise awareness of an issue or disease.

Catch me if you can During COVID-19, researchers at BML Munjal University designed a smartphone game called Unlock Me to raise awareness about safe hygiene practices during the pandemic.

Unlock Me simulates real-life situations and experiences to help players understand infection control practices such as using hand sanitizer and social distancing, to reduce their risk of contracting COVID.