Title: Online gaming and web-based communities: serious games for community development

Authors: Mark Doughty, Carl O'Coill

Addresses: Department of Computing and Informatics, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK. ' Lincoln School of Architecture, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK

Abstract: Serious games take the compelling and creative aspects of traditional computer games and apply them for non-entertainment purposes. The development of serious online games could contribute to many web-located community developments. This paper explores the potential for serious online games for inclusion in web-based community developments and outlines a participatory design project which utilises online gaming technologies. We conclude that serious online games are a useful component in such developments, but that their design and development should take into account their potential users and that as people become more experienced and used to interacting with gaming technologies, the expectations for these types of interaction will rise.

Keywords: serious games; online collaboration; community involvement; interactive technologies; online gaming; web based communities; virtual communities; online communities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2008.019197

International Journal of Web Based Communities, 2008 Vol.4 No.3, pp.384 - 391

Published online: 02 Jul 2008 *

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