Techno-Biophilia Design in Video Games and Its Positive Social Outcomes

In the era of nature 2.0, new media rewires how we experience nature. To understand the psychological implications of this shift, three studies were conducted to explore the positive effects of techno-biophilia design in video games on various pro-social outcomes. In Study 1, online comments of certain popular video games were utilised to show a co-occurrence between the presence of nature elements and perceived natural beauty. Study 2, through the public goods game, then confirmed that individuals exposed to game scenes featuring natural landscapes reported statistically higher cooperative behaviour and helping intention, mediated by perceived natural beauty. Study 3 further recruited participants to participate in a virtual driving game, replicating the results by detecting higher climate change policy support and greater propensity for charitable donations among participants driving in the natural landscape. This research contributes to 'technology for good' through the exploration of nature element inclusion in video games, shedding light on techno-biophilia design and positive technology paradigm. It thus provides a foundational blueprint for how intelligent technologies of this era can be designed to foster inclusive pathways to the benefits of nature engagement, catering to diverse preferences and contexts.