Abstract:

Invasive species present a global problem that requires better awareness from the general populace. Some serious games can serve as a tool for bringing attention to issues of this kind. People who are not informed cannot tell the invasive species apart from the ones native to their particular ecosystem. A serious game was designed with the primary objective of informing people about the main characteristics of invasive plant species in Portugal, as well as showing proper ways of removing and disposing of them without allowing them to spread throughout the local ecosystem. A game prototype was developed for mobile devices, since these are the most widely used platform in the world, allowing the game’s message to have a wider reach. Currently, the game has a single level focusing on a plant species, the water hyacinth, that thrive in rivers and lakes. User tests were performed to evaluate the prototype and to gather feedback and suggestions for future improvements. Results revealed a positive reception and an interest in further development.

Keywords:

Serious games, environmental awareness, invasive species.