VAPBr: Values in Digital Games for Public Service in Brazil

The VAPBr framework serves as a structured methodology for integrating ethical and constitutional principles into the development of serious games within the Brazilian public sector. By synthesizing the 1988 Federal Constitution and national digital governance strategies, the project establishes a foundational set of 13 core values—including accountability, legality, efficiency, and social inclusion—designed to guide developers in creating digital experiences that align with institutional mandates. The primary thesis posits that a formalized brainstorming tool can effectively bridge the gap between abstract civic requirements and practical game design, fostering greater alignment between public service processes and digital engagement.

The core artifact of this research is a 24-card brainstorming deck, developed through Design Science Research, which facilitates collaborative decision-making among design teams. Empirical evaluation involving game design students tasked with simulating police procedures for missing persons demonstrated that the tool is both intuitive and efficient for identifying relevant social values. Participants reported that the framework successfully structured group discussions and helped translate complex public service requirements into actionable design elements.

While the framework is currently validated within an academic context, the findings indicate a clear path for professional application. Users identified a need for more granular contextual examples to reduce the subjectivity inherent in interpreting values like dignity or cooperation. Future iterations of the tool aim to address these requirements to better support professional design teams across diverse public service sectors. Ultimately, this initiative provides a scalable, culturally grounded approach to leveraging digital games as instruments for enhancing civic engagement and institutional transparency within Brazil.