A Guideline Study for Serious Game Design to Be Used in the Therapy of Abused Children

Abstract

This study explores the potential of serious games as therapeutic tools in the treatment of child abuse, adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple forms of abuse. A modular and customizable game concept is proposed that allows for adaptation across a broad spectrum of problem areas, offering therapists a versatile tool. This paper identifies specific design criteria for serious games in child abuse therapy, derived from an analysis of existing games with therapeutic objectives. These criteria encompass modular design, alignment with the target audience's needs, therapeutic gameplay, replayability, immediate feedback, and the necessity for interdisciplinary collaboration. A game concept with two main modules is introduced, with a focus in detail on the first module designed for use within therapy sessions. This research underlines the importance of further development and expert evaluation of the proposed game concept, positioning it as a guideline for future inquiries into therapeutic game design for victims of child abuse. © 2024 25th International Conference on Intelligent Games and Simulation, GAME-ON 2024. All rights reserved.