A Reusable Multiplayer Game for Promoting Active School Transport: Development Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Game Design
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Many children in Sweden do not meet recommended physical activity levels.
• Active school transport (AST) and gamification are strategies to increase physical activity.
• The Tic-Tac-Training game was adapted for AST in schoolchildren.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the effectiveness of Tic-Tac-Training for promoting AST.
• Enhance the game for better suitability among schoolchildren.
• Develop a roadmap for future gamified AST interventions based on children's input.

Main Methods:

• Developed Tic-Tac-Training using the Scrum agile method.
• Conducted a questionnaire-based formative evaluation with 16 schoolchildren (aged 11-12).
• Held focus group interviews with 33 children (aged 12-13) to gather gamification ideas, mapped to the Octalysis framework.

Main Results:

• Initial evaluation identified a need for more engaging features, continuous support, and less competitive elements.
• Implemented new features including rewards, collectibles, and levels.
• Focus groups suggested incorporating avatars, in-game currency, trading, and context-sensitive tasks.

Conclusions:

• The study provides insights into developing reusable, gamified AST interventions.
• Identified specific gamification elements preferred by schoolchildren in northern Sweden.
• Results are valuable for game researchers and educators interested in gamification for school-based physical activity.