Co-Designing Sensor-Based Serious Games: Mapping Serious Objectives, Game Mechanics, and Sensor Technologies

This study explores a holistic mapping approach to integrate serious objectives, game mechanics, and technology functionalities, enabling participatory co-design of game concepts for serious purposes. Mini-hackathon sessions facilitated collaborative development of game ideas, focusing on sensors to enhance gameplay and interactivity. Using the Learning Mechanics–Game Mechanics (LM-GM) model, the design process ensured alignment between goals, game dynamics, and sensor functionalities. While no games were developed, the co-design process and structured mapping approach generated meaningful concepts. Examples include biofeedback sensors for emotional regulation and GPS for physical activity and exploration, showcasing the potential of sensor-enabled games in education, health, and other domains. This research offers a replicable framework for co-designing purposeful, technology-based game concepts.