Serious Games for Pandemics

Serious Games, Simulations and Gamification Solutions and Trends for Viruses and Epidemics

David WortleyGAETSS

Presentation Structure• Introduction and Background• Pandemic Board Game• Serious Game and Simulation Solutions• Impact of Disruptive Technologies• Gamification and Crowd Sourcing• Conclusions

Games and Pandemics

Games can spread awareness and help behavioural Change

The Role of Games and Simulations• Raise awareness• Change attitudes and behaviours• Improve early detection rates• Role Playing Opportunities• Develop strategies and skills• Test abilities and competencies

Role Playing Games

100K downloads in 6 weeks7 Million Copies

Pandemic Board Game

Classic Multiplayer Board Game with excellent game mechanics

Video Games and Simulations

Pandemic and the Great Flu are successful examples

Patient Rescue

Random generation of patients and symptoms for simulations

Impact of Disruptive Technologies

Sensors, Cloud Computing, Data Visualisation, Wearable Devices

Gamification Elements (Mechanics)Scenarios/NarrativesChallengesRulesChance/UncertaintyRisksRewards/IncentivesPenaltiesCompetitionExplorationSuccess/Achievement

FailureDiscoveryLeaderboardsLearningDevelopmentSkill/AbilityAction/ReactionMeasurementFeedbackReflection

Gamification introduces some or all of these elements into everyday situations

Gamification Elements in PandemicScenarios/NarrativesChallengesRulesChance/UncertaintyRisksRewards/IncentivesPenaltiesCompetitionExplorationSuccess/Achievement

FailureDiscoveryLeaderboardsLearningDevelopmentSkill/AbilityAction/ReactionMeasurementFeedbackReflection

Gamification introduces some or all of these elements into everyday situations

Gamification "A-List" InfluencersAbilityAccessibilityActivation LevelAdjacencyAdmirationAffectednessAffordabilityAlignmentAmbition

AppearanceAptitudeArgumentAspirationAssociatesAttractivenessAuthenticityAuthorityAwareness

Gamification "A-List" Influencers are all factors which can have a bearing on outcomes

Gamification "A-List" InfluencersAbilityAccessibilityActivation LevelAdjacencyAdmirationAffectednessAffordabilityAlignmentAmbition

AppearanceAptitudeArgumentAspirationAssociatesAttractivenessAuthenticityAuthorityAwareness

Gamification "A-List" Influencers are all factors which can have a bearing on outcomes

Gamification and Crowd Sourcing

Gamification provides challenges and user engagement – Ushahidi Platform

Future Trends• Real time data and crowdsourcing applications

may lead to incorporation of games mechanics into reality

• Simulation and role playing games like Pandemic will be used in staff recruitment, assessment and training

Conclusions• Game mechanics and psychology engage both

professionals and non-professionals• Disruptive technologies provide new

opportunities for pandemic detection and interventions

• Sensors and wearable technologies plus crowdsourcing point to the future