Design Research

Preparation of dissertation

Stefan Schmidlin, Research Associate

Game Design

In the context of rising authoritarian tendencies, climate change, and global destabilisation, games are increasingly recognised as tools for civic literacy and engagement. This project conducts a critical literature review examining how critical and serious games generate meaning and motivate players to take action beyond the game itself.

Building on foundational theories by scholars such as Bogost, Frasca, and Flanagan, the review assesses the current state of the art in the field. It examines several key developments: games addressing pressing societal challenges such as disinformation, democratic participation, and the climate crisis; the growing presence of marginalised voices in game design, reflecting lived experiences of underrepresented communities; the integration of postcolonial, queer, and intersectional perspectives into game studies and meaning-making frameworks; and novel participatory design methods that transfer moral authority from designers to players.

The central research question asks: What is the current state of research on critical and serious games and their potential to facilitate meaning-making and civic engagement? Drawing on a critical review methodology, the project synthesises heterogeneous sources from game studies, media theory, psychology, sociology, and design research to identify key themes, theoretical frameworks, and gaps in the literature.

The review also examines how identity, background, context, and other socio-political factors may shape player interpretation and engagement. By integrating these diverse strands of research, the project aims to provide insights valuable to designers, scholars, and educators working at the intersection of games and civic action.