Able to Create, Able to (Self-)Improve: How an Inclusive Game Framework Fostered Self-Improvement Through Creation and Play in Alcohol and Drugs Rehabilitation

Abstract

We are working towards establishing a framework to enable more people to create and play digital games. Our focus is on skills, communication, and collaboration, since these qualities can enable more people to co-create inclusive games. In this paper, we describe how the framework assisted adults involved in an alcohol and drugs rehabilitation program to co-create their own games. Ten adults in a healthcare service co-created games using the framework as a part of their rehabilitation, in ten meetings spanning four months. Two healthcare professionals evaluated the activities. Five additional collaborators (three with a Computer Science and two with a Nursing background) provided accessibility features and artistic improvements to the projects. During the meetings, we observed that game creation and playing helped the participants. They started in an uncertain frame of mind, with low-self esteem, and were scared to use computers and games, since they doubted they could succeed. However, they ended up more confident on their abilities and proud of their creations, as they were able to share their games and knowledge with their peers, and teach people how to play. The models and systems of the framework allowed the people to achieve better results. The game co-creation empowered the participants, and, hence, their abilities became opportunities for further collaborations. Co-creation consisted of a journey in which self-improvement superseded the created games.