Title: Serious games and active healthy ageing: a pilot usability testing of existing games

Authors: Aung Pyae; Reetta Raitoharju; Mika Luimula; Paula Pitkäkangas; Jouni Smed

Addresses: Turku University of Applied Sciences, Lemminkäisenkatu 30, 20520 Turku, Finland; Department of Information Technology, University of Turku, Joukahaisenkatu 3-5, 20520 Turku, Finland ' Turku University of Applied Sciences, Lemminkäisenkatu 30, 20520 Turku, Finland ' Turku University of Applied Sciences, Lemminkäisenkatu 30, 20520 Turku, Finland ' Turku University of Applied Sciences, Lemminkäisenkatu 30, 20520 Turku, Finland ' Department of Information Technology, University of Turku, Joukahaisenkatu 3-5, 20520 Turku, Finland

Abstract: In this paper, we report the findings from the pre-studies of gamified solutions in healthcare (GSH) project, which include mapping the existing games for seniors, conducting a pre-test on console games, interviewing elderly, and a literature review on the motivational factors for elderly. The findings showed us the limitations of the existing games and technologies. The literature review gave the useful game design opportunities. The insights from these pre-studies helped us to form the agenda, activities, and plan for our project. According to the proposed activities, we conducted a pilot testing of existing games with elderly and found out that the existing games have potential to be re-used with further modifications in our project. Furthermore, we learned the important lessons from this testing in terms of game design, interaction, and design opportunities. Then, we continue to re-design the existing games and develop new games followed by a usability testing.

Keywords: serious games; gamification; active ageing; usability testing; healthy ageing; gamified solutions in healthcare; GSH; seniors; elderly; old people; console games; game design; interaction; existing games.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2016.075129

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2016 Vol.16 No.1, pp.103 - 120

Received: 05 May 2015
Accepted: 21 Sep 2015
Published online: 04 Mar 2016 *

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