Development and Evaluation of a Game to Foster Sustainable Self-Help and Mutual Help Education for Disaster Prevention

Abstract

This study explores the development and evaluation of a game aimed at fostering sustainable self-help and mutual help education for disaster prevention. The game, developed using Unity and Blender, addresses the critical need for effective disaster preparedness, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation, as evidenced by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, in which most rescues were performed by neighbors. Additionally, it features realistic disaster scenarios, and the game’s design incorporates gamification and simulation elements to enhance learning and engagement. An experiment involving 20 participants aged 20–21 years was conducted to evaluate the game’s effectiveness. Participants played the game on desktop personal computers for at least 10 min, and their performance and awareness were measured through pre- and post-gameplay questionnaires. The results indicated no statistically significant improvement in the ability to cooperate with strangers, provide correct instructions, or overall consciousness of helping others. However, a slight increase in the average scores was observed. Participant feedback highlighted the game’s realistic approach and suggested improvements in operability and platform compatibility. The study concludes that while the game shows promise, further development and research are needed to enhance its educational impact and effectiveness in disaster preparedness.