Climate change poses a critical global challenge with far-reaching environmental, social, and economic consequences. Despite growing awareness, gaps remain in public understanding of climate-induced migration, global climate change trends, and environmental activism. Applied gaming - using video games for purposes beyond entertainment - offers a promising approach to raising awareness and fostering engagement with climate issues.
Aim
This study investigates the understudied areas of climate-induced migration, global climate change trends, and environmental concerns and activism through the lens of applied gaming. Specifically, it examines how The Climate Trail, a climate change-themed serious game, influences knowledge retention, climate change concerns, and environmental activism over time. Additionally, the study explores the relationship between game enjoyment and its educational impact.
Method
A one-group quasi-experimental design with 39 undergraduate students was used, assessing participants at three-time points: baseline (pretest), immediately post-intervention, and two weeks post-intervention. The study measured knowledge acquisition, climate change concerns, and environmental behaviour activism, along with self-reported enjoyment and perceived learning. Data were analysed using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate changes over time, while Kendall’s tau-b correlation assessed relationships between enjoyment, learning, and climate concerns.
Results
Findings indicate that The Climate Trail significantly increased and sustained knowledge about climate-induced migration and global climate change trends. Climate concerns developed gradually rather than immediately. However, no significant changes were observed in environmental activism behaviours, highlighting the “value-action gap”—where heightened awareness does not necessarily translate into action. Enjoyment from gameplay was positively correlated with increased climate concerns and perceived learning, though knowledge retention varied across climate-related topics.
Conclusion
By tackling underexplored dimensions such as climate-induced migration in climate game research, by addressing sustained knowledge retention and the pivotal role of enjoyment in game-based learning, this research delivers insights into the transformative power of serious games to captivate and educate on pressing climate issues. These findings could motivate strategic integration of applied gaming into climate advocacy frameworks, empowering policymakers and educators to deploy dynamic, game-based initiatives that drive meaningful engagement and action. This approach aligns seamlessly with Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 4 (Quality Education), paving the way for innovative, impact-driven climate education. Furthermore, the study offers insights for game designers by highlighting the importance of immersive narratives, realistic scenarios, and meaningful decision-making in enhancing engagement and promoting climate-related learning.
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