The Macquarie University Serious Games Research Network is an interdisciplinary collaboration of researchers from multiple backgrounds and disciplines with a common interest in understanding and applying the principles of game design to address issues in advocacy, education and health.
Research Themes
- Ethical decision-making in videogames
- Reasoning and problem-solving in games
- Virtual Reality Games for Vision Science
- Virtual Reality Games for Social Neuroscience
- Games for Sustainability
- Narrative design for games
- Games for understanding multi-agent social interactions
Members
- Dr Malcolm Ryan, School of Computing, Network Coordinator
- Dr Mitchell McEwan, School of Computing
- Prof Deborah Richards, Schoolof Computing
- Dr Rowan Tulloch, Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies
- A/Prof Paul Formosa, Department of Philosophy,
- A/Prof James Hazelton, Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance
- Dr Stephanie Howarth, School of Psychological Sciences
- Dr Nathan Caruana, School of Psychological Sciences
- Dr Patrick Nalepka, School of Psychological Sciences
- Dr Yves-Heng Lim, Department of Security Studies and Criminology
Current projects
Cybersecurity ethics training simulations for values-based decision-making
Investigators: Deborah Richards (Lead), Malcolm Ryan Paul Formosa, Michael Hitchens, Virginia Dignum, Mitchell McEwan
This project aims to investigate ways to train reflective ethical decision making in cybersecurity management through the design of interactive social simulations. The Project will advance the field of serious game design for cybersecurity training by using new techniques for building artificially intelligent virtual agents, drawing on interdisciplinary expertise in ethics, artificial intelligence and serious game design. Expected outcomes of the Project include new technologies for cybersecurity training and strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration between computing and humanities. This should provide significant benefits in the integration of deeper understanding of the ethical impact of new cybertechnologies.
Designing for Moral Engagement in Videogames
Investigators: Malcolm Ryan (Lead), Paul Formosa, Stephanie Howarth, Jane Messer
Project Parnters: Chaos Theory Games
There is a growing interest in videogames for ethics education as they can provide a safe yet meaningful space for players to practice moral choice. A well-designed game can immerse a player in a world and challenge them with difficult moral choices, but poor design can negate this challenge by making in-game morality merely a strategic choice made to win, instead of for its own sake. To establish which design factors are most important in maintaining moral engagement, we will implement a variety of games based around a common set of moral narratives and test them with human subjects, recording their choices. The outcome will be a set of validated design principles for the creation of games for ethics education.
This project is supported by a Macquarie University Research Seeding Grant.
Gaming to Net Zero
Investigators: James Hazelton (Lead), Malcolm Ryan, Shane Leong
Project Partners: Sustainable Business Group, Beletich Associates, Chaos Theory Games
While there has been some progress within City of Sydney tenancies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there are substantial opportunities for further gains. For example, there are unrealised opportunities that can only be achieved through improved collaboration between building owners and tenants – particularly with regard to the achievement of net zero emission buildings.
This project will motivate tenants to take action by developing a game that will apply the seven principles of tenant engagement outlined in the Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) Tenant Engagement Foundation Report. The game will create a sense of community by highlighting the need for all tenants and building owners to work together to achieve net zero. It will be simple and social – clearly articulating what net zero looks like in practice and making it easy and fun for tenants to see how working in a collaborative way can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve sustainability.
This project is supported by a City of Sydney Innovation Grant.
Videogames for Vision Science
Investigators: Malcolm Ryan (Lead), Mei-Ying Boon (UNSW), Mitchell McEwan
In this project we invesitgate the use of videogames for the study, diagnosis and treatment of various vision disorders including amblyopia, convergence insufficiency and colour blindness. We design and develop games using mobile and virtual reality devices, that also collect data to enable vision researchers to better understand and address these vision problems.
Dr Egg Adventures
Investigators: Dr Catherine Fargher
Dr Egg Adventures, founded by Dr. Catherine Fargher in February 2012, creates engaging Education Technology (EduTech) products and content to solve problems faced by primary school teachers and educators in STEM and AI driven futures. Incorporating Self-Determination Learning Theory and 21st Century Learning Skills, The Dr Egg Adventures Laboratory invites students to participate in problem-based blended learning (offline and online) for STEM, AI and Digital Technology. The Dr. Egg Adventures Laboratory is designed to encourage student autonomy and creative skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration. Our vision is for more girls to choose and complete advanced STEM subjects in the final years of High School, as a result of this interactive learning.