Dr.E. Mestheneos 11 th February 2014, Brussels “SERIOUS GAMES” – INNOVATIVE AND INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT ACTIVE AND HEALTHY AGEING

Issues :  loneliness and associated illnesses e.g. depression  pharmaceutical adherence  intergenerational learning and cooperation  accessibility  diet  exercise – body and brain  physical and mental ill health and frailty 2 New technologies to support older people

ISSUES Older people not digital natives High rates of digital literacy ( age and education related ) Changes :  EU and national efforts to reduce the digital gap  Interfaces more user friendly – continuous change  The older population is more educated but LLL/ take up often difficult especially for the least educate

Serious Games 1. Motivation is serious e.g. to stimulate, exercise 2. Mindful 3. Requires use of brains- stimulating memory, knowledge, mathematical capacities etc. 4. Promotes sociability – games element. 5. They require time, attention and practice in order for them to be played

Serious Games 1. Motivation is serious e.g. to stimulate, exercise 2. Mindful 3. Requires use of brains- stimulating memory, knowledge, mathematical capacities etc. 4. Promotes sociability – games element. 5. They require time, attention and practice in order for them to be played

6 Suggested guidelines 1. Design for the general population- not for “the other”. Game writing literature gives designers guidelines on how to get people involved; older people the same as the general adult population. 2. Games must be either intuitive or provide easily understood game rules. 3. They must have a story as do normal games- something happens and players gets involved in it, identify with heroes, princesses, have a good time, get engaged. Includes games showing someone is getting smarter/ better in brain.

4. A serious game must be seriously attractive, keeping older people's attention and interest. 5. Attracts visually and intellectually. (research needed on what older people like) 6. Never serves a serious game as being “good for you”. People must have fun and replay the game 7. A serious game offers some kind of support e.g via Forums, so there is also a social aspect. 8. A good game does not raise issues about yourself, you identify with another personna and can play with equanimity. 9. A challenge in finding characters and stories for games Ensure backstage material and underlying aims not visible. If you cannot do this, you will fail. 7 More guidelines

8 Most older people not users or players of ICT games – few advisors. Use early adopters Use social media Stress the social aspect Do not imply that the player needs help, is sick – resented and unpopular. Brain research – Resistance to change u9ZI&feature=share&fb_ref=share u9ZI&feature=share&fb_ref=share

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