Serious Game - Classification

Classification

The classification of serious games is something that is yet to solidify, there are however a number of terms in reasonably common use for inclusion here.

• Advergames: The use of games for advertising. The approach can include numerous different ways of advertising more or less well-known from other media. You can have product placement, banners in-game or just traffic triggers.
• Edutainment: A combination of education and entertainment.
• Games-Based Learning or "Game Learning"- These games have defined learning outcomes. Generally they are designed in order to balance the subject matter with the gameplay and the ability of the player to retain and apply said subject matter to the real world.
• Edumarket Games - When a serious game combines several aspects (such as advergaming and edutainment aspects or persuasive and news aspects), the application is an Edumarket game. For example, Food Force combines news, persuasive and edutainment goals.
• Newsgames - Journalistic games that report on recent events or deliver an editorial comment. Examples include September 12th
• Simulations or Simulation Games - games used for the acquisition or exercise of different skills, to teach effective behavior in the context of simulated conditions or situations. In practice, are widely used simulation driving different vehicles (cars, trains, airplanes; e.g. FlightGear), simulation of management of specific industries (e.g. Transport Tycoon), and universal business simulation, developing strategic thinking and teaching users the basics of macro-and microeconomics, the basics of business administration (e.g. Virtonomics).
• Persuasive Games - games used as persuasion technology
• Organizational-dynamic games
• Games for Health, such as games for psychological therapy, cognitive training, emotional training or physical rehabilitation uses. Technology and mental health issues can use Serious Games to make therapy accessible to adolescents who would otherwise would not find a psychotherapist approachable.
• Exergaming - games that are used as a form of exercise.
• Art Games - games used to express artistic ideas or art produced through the medium of video games
• Productivity game - games which reward points for accomplished real-world tasks using to-do lists.
• Training and Simulations - See Gamification.
• Games with a purpose try to solve various tasks that require common sense or human experience in an entertaining setting.

Additionally Julian Alvarez and Olivier Rampnoux (from the European Center for Children's Products, University of Poitiers) have attempted to classify serious games in 5 main categories: Advergaming, Edutainment, Edumarket game, Diverted game and Simulation game.