How Serious Games Tackle Serious Problems
How Serious Games Tackle Serious Problems
How Serious Games Tackle Serious Problems
Simon Makin
January, 13, 2026
Summary
Serious games use complete game experiences to address real-world problems, unlike gamification, which adds game elements to existing activities. A famous example is FoldIt, where players solved a key AIDS-related protein structure. Serious games can help tackle climate change, wealth inequality, and political polarization. Climate-themed games like Daybreak and FutureGuessr educate players about mitigation and consequences. The Landlord’s Game, precursor to Monopoly, originally critiqued inequality. Tango, a bipartisan quiz game, reduces political hostility through cooperative play. While games alone cannot solve these crises, they educate, foster empathy, encourage dialogue, and inspire action, contributing meaningfully to broader societal solutions.
Reference
Makin, S. (2026, January 13). How serious games tackle serious problems. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-psychology-of-games/202601/how-serious-games-tackle-serious-problems