In this research paper we will dive into the definitions of “Serious Games” and “Simulation Games” as they relate to the gaming industry and public perception. It is important to take in consideration what makes them different and how they are being used for industries like, health care, education, military, and entertainment. I will also dive into the comparison between entertainment-based games and serious games while describing the techniques that make serious games entertaining.

In order to describe what “Serious Games” are, we first need to understand the intended outcome of the game, the majority of serious game’s goal is to provide an educational, social, marketing or targeted message. Serious games are designed to provide an predefined outcome and target concept, they can be entreating but their goal is to provide the end user with an educational message on the topic. Some of the first serious games that were created in the 1700’s referenced concepts of war strategizing and were used to training soldiers on how to plan attacks and defense strategies. (Kapps, 2016)

Simulation games are design to stimulate the player to use his knowledge and skills to solve a real-life situation or problem, the idea of this type of scenario where you have a controlled environment, is to slowly or rapidly introduce the end user to situation where his skills to preform in the game are put to the test, but more importantly, they are improved by keeping the environment controlled and educational for the user. We see many industries diving into simulations games when preparing them to use a particular machine or pressure, very much like airplane pilots or doctors while dealing with high stressful procedures or tasks. (Boocock & Schild, 1968)

There is a fine line between entertainment based games and serious games, we understand that entertainment games are focused on the end users enjoyment while playing the game, while it might have strategies or puzzles, the ultimate goal of the game is to provide joy and entertainment. Serious games are designed to challenge the end user to understand a task, concept, training or educational angle while completing the game, their main focus is not joy or entertainment, some of this games can be found in educational structures like schools or corporate trainings. (Ute Ritterfeld, 2005)

How to make serious games entertaining? at this point we understand that serious games serve a purpose and have a targeted educational message or concept they want to deliver but how to make them fun? When diving into key elements on how to shape a serious game to be enjoyable, we can reference some of these key elements of the game, as story line, gamification, immediate and individualized feedback, simulation, among others. We can agree that while a serious game has to deliver a message or concept, the elements of games still enhance the experience of the end user to make it more enjoyable to play or simulate. (Team, 2020)

Works Cited

Boocock, S. S., & Schild, E. E. (1968, N/A N/A). ERIC. Retrieved from Simulation Games in Learning.: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED026857

Kapps, K. (2016, March 1). Growt ingineering. Retrieved from WHAT ARE SERIOUS GAMES?: https://www.growthengineering.co.uk/what-are-serious-games/

Team, G. (2020, August 8). Eight examples that explain all you need to know about serious games and game-based learning. Retrieved from game learn: https://www.game-learn.com/all-you-need-to-know-serious-games-game-based-learning-examples/

Ute Ritterfeld, R. W. (2005, September 27). Video Games for Entertainment. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d8df/1344d68ddbeeffe89ed2ca40c4d4f7db0abb.pdf