Dr.E. Mestheneos 11 th February 2014, Brussels “SERIOUS GAMES” – INNOVATIVE AND INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT ACTIVE AND HEALTHY AGEING.

Dr.E. Mestheneos 11th February 2014,

Brussels

“SERIOUS GAMES” – INNOVATIVE AND INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT ACTIVE AND HEALTHY AGEING

Issues :

loneliness and associated illnesses e.g. depression

pharmaceutical adherence intergenerational learning and

cooperation accessibility diet exercise – body and brain physical and mental ill health and

frailty

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New technologies to support older people

ISSUES• Older people not digital natives

• High rates of digital literacy ( age and education related )

Changes : EU and national efforts to reduce the digital gap Interfaces more user friendly – continuous change The older population is more educated but LLL/ take up

often difficult especially for the least educate

Serious Games

1. Motivation is serious e.g. to stimulate,

exercise

2. Mindful

3. Requires use of brains- stimulating memory, knowledge, mathematical capacities etc.

4. Promotes sociability – games element.

5. They require time, attention and practice in order for them to be played

Serious Games

1. Motivation is serious e.g. to stimulate,

exercise

2. Mindful

3. Requires use of brains- stimulating memory, knowledge, mathematical capacities etc.

4. Promotes sociability – games element.

5. They require time, attention and practice in order for them to be played

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Suggested guidelines1. Design for the general population- not for “the other”. Game

writing literature gives designers guidelines on how to get people involved; older people the same as the general adult population.

2. Games must be either intuitive or provide easily understood game rules.

3. They must have a story as do normal games- something happens and players gets involved in it, identify with heroes, princesses, have a good time, get engaged. Includes games showing someone is getting smarter/ better in brain.

4. A serious game must be seriously attractive, keeping older people's attention and interest. 5. Attracts visually and intellectually. (research needed on what older people like) 6. Never serves a serious game as being “good for you”. People must have fun and replay the game7. A serious game offers some kind of support e.g via Forums, so there is also a social aspect. 8. A good game does not raise issues about yourself, you identify with another personna and can play with equanimity.9. A challenge in finding characters and stories for gamesEnsure backstage material and underlying aims not visible. If you cannot do this, you will fail.

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More guidelines

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More guidelines• Most older people not users or players of ICT

games – few advisors.

• Use early adopters

• Use social media

• Stress the social aspect

• Do not imply that the player needs help, is sick – resented and unpopular.

• Brain research – Resistance to change https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFYnVmGu9ZI&feature=share&fb_ref=share

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