Towards Integration of Computer Games in Interactive Health Education Environments: understanding gameplay challenge, narrative and spectacle

CONTEXT There is an alarming progress in the health status of the young in western countries, and new methods and tools for behavioural health interventions are urgently called for. OBJECTIVE To explore how computer game designs can be integrated in the development of Interactive Health Education Environments. DESIGN Qualitative analyses of adolescents' experiences of playing an action-adventure computer game, using data from in-depth interviews. RESULTS A model is presented, where the gameplaying experience is connected to four components of computer games. Playing computer games was found to mainly be motivated by the challenges and competition represented in the gameplay scripts. CONCLUSIONS Interactive health education environments can be improved by implementing challenging gameplay scripts, spectacular technical features and narratives.