ABSTRACT
Complex social issues are often inaccessible for numerous reasons (e.g., fear), but through enacted experiences individuals are able to access attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors with mitigated negative consequences. In these spaces, individuals are transported to fictional yet probable worlds (via persuasive narrative) and engage in role playing as a mechanism of change rehearsal. In this way, games function as communicative channels that stimulate cognitive, emotional, and physical engagement. This chapter addresses the innovative ways serious games address complex social issues by detailing the research and design practices, theoretical frameworks, and applied strategies. Additionally, core mechanisms of serious games and their roles as attitudinal and behavioral change agents are discussed.
