Designing serious games to advance climate change adaptation

Abstract The escalating impact of climate change necessitates innovative strategies to enhance public understanding and action. This research delves into the potential of serious games as transformative tools for climate change education and adaptation. Despite their rising popularity, serious games face challenges in effectively conveying complex climate science concepts and achieving desired learning outcomes. This study builds upon existing frameworks to propose tailored guidelines for designing serious games focused on climate change adaptation. We anchor our guidelines on the Design, Play, Experience (DPE) framework to scaffold strategies to create more effective serious games for climate change adaptation. We propose 11 elements that should be considered between player engagement and design when creating serious games. Through iterative playtesting and community involvement, we underscore the significance of reflecting on language, comprehension, timing, and social dynamics. This work bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and actionable insights in the development of serious games to equip decision-makers and communities with the tools to combat the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.