Serious Gaming

Games can be fun - but playing games as a way to relax is not the only thing we can do online. 'Serious games' explores a different sub-set of the gaming industry, looking at how games can help us train people, raise awareness of important issues, and address key societal challenges. Serious games are designed exactly with these purposes in mind. 

Created by the Erasmus University Rotterdam, this MOOC explores serious games: their different types, why they may be interesting to players, and what their wider impact may be. The course zooms in on state-of-the-art theories behind game studies and psychology to illustrate why games have become so appealing. It also looks at persuasive games, or games that are aimed at changing a player's attitude towards a certain topic. Participants are also introduced to numerous use cases and examples from companies in the city of Rotterdam, and beyond. 

The MOOC is ideal for those interested in digital media and the concept of serious gaming, as well as to professionals seeking to understand the potential of games within an organisation. It could also be useful to game developers, who wish to explore the impact of serious games and upskill.