Short answer
To increase the diffusion and habitual use of serious games, designers must balance functional effectiveness with an engaging, user-friendly, and appropriately toned experience that avoids alienating users with excessive 'seriousness'.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- International Journal of Information Management (2020)
- Method
- Design Science Research
- Sample
- 129 participants (97 + 32)
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
The perceived 'seriousness' of a game, rather than its functional utility or technological acceptance, can be a significant barrier to its adoption and habitual use. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in International Journal of Information Management. Using Design science research with 129 participants (97 + 32), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: To increase the diffusion and habitual use of serious games, designers must balance functional effectiveness with an engaging, user-friendly, and appropriately toned experience that avoids alienating users with excessive 'seriousness'.
Serious Games Adoption Hindered by Perceived Seriousness, Not Just Functionality
The perceived 'seriousness' of a game, rather than its functional utility or technological acceptance, can be a significant barrier to its adoption and habitual use.
International Journal of Information Management · 2020
Key Findings
- 01Wearable technology adoption is contingent on reliability, relevance, user-friendliness, and robust privacy/security measures.
- 02The perception of a 'serious game' being too serious can obstruct its acceptance and habitual use, even if technologically sound.
- 03Ease of use and avoiding a patronizing tone are critical for user acceptance.
- 04Age differences can influence the perception and acceptance of serious games.
Application
Design takeaway
To increase the diffusion and habitual use of serious games, designers must balance functional effectiveness with an engaging, user-friendly, and appropriately toned experience that avoids alienating users with excessive 'seriousness'.
How to apply
When designing a serious game for health or education, conduct user testing not only on functionality but also on the game's tone, perceived difficulty, and overall user experience, paying close attention to feedback on whether it feels 'too serious' or patronizing.
Project actions
- 01When designing a serious game, test its 'fun factor' and ease of use just as rigorously as its educational or health benefits.
- 02Consider how the game's branding and narrative might influence user perception of its seriousness.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Employs a robust design science research methodology.
- +Combines qualitative data from extensive interviews with prototype validation.
Limitations
The findings are based on interviews and a paper prototype, which may not fully capture the long-term engagement or real-world diffusion dynamics of a fully developed digital product.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of interview data can be enhanced through triangulation of findings across participants and rigorous thematic analysis. Validity is supported by the use of a design science research approach and prototype testing to gather user feedback on a tangible artifact.
Think critically
If a 'serious game' is perceived as too serious, does that mean it fails as a game, or does it simply mean the target audience or the game's objective needs re-evaluation?
Design Principles
"The perceived 'playfulness' and user-friendliness of a serious game are as critical to its adoption as its functional benefits and technological robustness."
Designers aiming to create impactful 'serious games' for health and well-being must move beyond purely functional design and address the user's emotional and social perception of the product. A game's framing and presentation are as crucial as its underlying technology for successful diffusion.
What This Means for Your Design
Making a game that helps people be healthier (a 'serious game') is harder than it looks. People might not use it if it feels too much like work or a lecture, even if it's good for them. It needs to be fun and easy to use, not just functional.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user experience and perceived value in the adoption of new technologies or digital products.
- 2.Use the findings to justify design choices aimed at improving user engagement and reducing perceived barriers to use in your own design project.
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Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The adoption and habitual use of serious games are significantly influenced by user perception, with the 'seriousness' of the game acting as a potential barrier to engagement. Research indicates that even when technologically sound and relevant, a game's perceived ease of use and non-patronizing tone are critical for acceptance, suggesting that designers must prioritize user experience and emotional resonance alongside functional objectives to achieve successful diffusion.
Source
International Journal of Information Management
Are serious games too serious? Diffusion of wearable technologies and the creation of a diffusion of serious games model
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about serious games adoption hindered by perceived seriousness, not just functionality?
- To increase the diffusion and habitual use of serious games, designers must balance functional effectiveness with an engaging, user-friendly, and appropriately toned experience that avoids alienating users with excessive 'seriousness'. Evidence: International Journal of Information Management (2020).
- Why does "Serious Games Adoption Hindered by Perceived Seriousness, Not Just Functionality" matter for design?
- Designers aiming to create impactful 'serious games' for health and well-being must move beyond purely functional design and address the user's emotional and social perception of the product. A game's framing and presentation are as crucial as its underlying technology for successful diffusion.
- How can designers apply this research?
- To increase the diffusion and habitual use of serious games, designers must balance functional effectiveness with an engaging, user-friendly, and appropriately toned experience that avoids alienating users with excessive 'seriousness'.
- What were the main findings?
- Wearable technology adoption is contingent on reliability, relevance, user-friendliness, and robust privacy/security measures.. The perception of a 'serious game' being too serious can obstruct its acceptance and habitual use, even if technologically sound.. Ease of use and avoiding a patronizing tone are critical for user acceptance.. Age differences can influence the perception and acceptance of serious games.
- What research method was used?
- Design Science Research with 129 participants (97 + 32).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from International Journal of Information Management.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a serious game for health or education, conduct user testing not only on functionality but also on the game's tone, perceived difficulty, and overall user experience, paying close attention to feedback on whether it feels 'too serious' or patronizing.
- What are the limitations?
- The study relied on paper prototypes, which may not fully replicate the user experience of a digital product. The diffusion model for serious games is a theoretical contribution requiring further empirical validation.