Homeless: it’s no game - measuring the effectiveness of a persuasive videogame

There is little empirical evidence for the effectiveness of persuasive games. Conceptually, little attention has been given to this issue. The videogame Homeless: It’s No Game was developed to test the thesis that the effectiveness of a persuasive videogame can be measured. Volunteers answered a survey of attitudes towards the homeless and then either played the videogame, read a short story about homelessness, or were part of a control group. The survey was re-administered two weeks later. Results were mixed, with some indicators showing increased sympathy towards the homeless and others showing no significant effect. Many questions remain to be explored, such as the effect of non-ludic factors, the duration of the persuasive effect, and whether different issues and different game genres play a role in the effectiveness of persuasive games; however the results do suggest lines for further inquiry.