Using the SGDA Framework to Design and Evaluate Research Games

The Serious Game Design Assessment (SGDA) framework serves as a structured methodology for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researchers to design and evaluate research games. These games function as playful, interactive tools intended to elicit user insights and facilitate participatory design rather than to provide traditional entertainment or behavioral change. By decomposing these tools into six core components—purpose, content, mechanics, fiction, aesthetics, and framing—researchers can ensure design coherence and align game elements with specific data collection objectives.

Empirical application of this framework across diverse case studies, including train journey simulations, hospital logistics ideation, and future-oriented television consumption scenarios, reveals that design success hinges on the alignment between mechanics and research goals. While board game mechanics effectively lower barriers to entry for non-gamers and foster collaborative engagement, mismatches between narrative themes and mechanical execution can undermine data quality. Findings indicate that overly complex components or aesthetic inconsistencies often distract participants, whereas borrowing familiar mechanics from established games enhances accessibility and encourages creative contribution.

Ultimately, the SGDA framework acts as a vital diagnostic tool for identifying structural weaknesses in research game design. However, it is most effective when integrated into a broader development cycle that includes iterative playtesting and the incorporation of prior user research. By systematically balancing the playful nature of the medium with the rigorous requirements of academic inquiry, researchers can create more impactful, cohesive, and reliable instruments for gathering user insights. This approach underscores the necessity of intentional design in transforming playful interaction into a robust methodology for modern HCI research.