PowerGame - Uma aplicação de suporte aos jogos sérios usando medições energéticas reais

Abstract

In this thesis we will describe the problems faced by SmartWatt, a consulting company in the domain of energy consumption and management, when it comes to knowledge transfer to its clients and associates of the best practices in energy management, and the enforcement of said practices on a daily basis. To do so, we will take a look over the influence and effectiveness of serious games in learning, and how the reward mechanisms in video games can increase the willingness of the player to absorb new knowledge. In addition, we will glance over how the users subconscious opinion can be influenced using persuasive techniques and how by including those in a serious game it can translate into a consistent and customary use of best practices. In order to create an effective prototype, research was made on several serious games whose main objective was to convince and entice users to apply a series of good practices over time, like those required for good energy management or healthy eating. By studying the game mechanics and reward mechanisms employed in each game, we will be able to define a set of interesting and engaging features that are proven to work on long term learning. To help achieve the long term effects of good energy management, an application that uses real life measurements was created to act as support to serious games. Using a set of learning mechanisms previously proven useful, in conjunction with the use of persuasive technology to diminish the intrusiveness of the message to be assimilated, this application acts as a visual feedback system regarding energy management performance, while simultaneously serving as a back-end for serious games.