Abstract
This PhD by Publication explores the transformative potential of digital games as tools for social impact, education, and cultural change. Drawing from a multidisciplinary foundation in media studies, psychology, sociology, and interaction design, the work investigates how digital play can enhance awareness, critical thinking, and engagement with complex societal issues. The research develops and tests a theory of change specific to games, formalizing tenets that guide social impact game design through a practice-based methodology.Key theoretical contributions include the concept of game verbs—the actions players perform within games—as a core framework for meaning-making, and the framing of games as persuasive systems through procedural rhetoric. This theoretical groundwork is operationalized through two peer-reviewed case studies: Factitious, a news literacy game that reached over 500,000 players; and Gaming the System, an investigative journalism-based game exploring
immigration policy. These and other examples demonstrate how games can be used to simulate systemic issues, foster empathy, and collect meaningful data on player behavior.
Beyond individual games, the research introduces the macro, micro, and meta levels of persuasive play, illustrating how games influence public discourse and can be co-opted in nongame contexts. It also highlights the role of game-making itself as a form of knowledge synthesis, suggesting that the process of designing games fosters deeper understanding of social issues.
This body of work provides a replicable, theory-informed model for designing social impact games and evaluating their efficacy. It has informed policy-making, educational programming, and international workshops, making significant contributions to both academic literature and real-world practice. The research positions games not merely as entertainment, but as powerful
media capable of shaping perception, policy, and behavior across diverse global contexts.
| Date of Award | 17 Jun 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Peter Howell (Supervisor) & Matthew Higgins (Supervisor) |