Project Overview

Research in the field of serious and therapeutic games (STG) has been on the rise in recent years, particularly with regard to the development of games for the elderly. The objectives of these STG are the adoption of healthy lifestyles, lifelong learning, adaptation and rehabilitation in order to improve the quality of life. The STG partly compensate for the motivation that is not always there and which requires different leverage with age and context. However, due to the difficulties inherent in research and development, many projects do not result in the development of a product that is accessible to seniors. Some STG do not have an effective design despite a promising concept, others are not hosted online. Still others do not have the technical infrastructure to collect usage data. Research produces scientific results, but the end of funding often marks the end of the STG. Thus, our project has two general objectives: to produce STG much more quickly and effectively, and to allow STG to persist and be accessible to seniors beyond the period of research funding. To achieve this, our research group will design a centralized service platform that can provide expertise to researchers, but also to practitioners and seniors, among others, who wish to produce a STG or who have needs that can be met by these technologies. A first STG will be produced and evaluated in collaboration with Le Réseau québécois de la recherche sur la douleur. Supported by an innovative business model, the Digital Game Design Service Platform for Seniors' Health and Well-being is an ambitious and innovative project that will transform several issues related to STG research and development into opportunities for successful collaborations for the benefit of seniors.