What is a serious game and why does it work in business?
- tdrthomasderoeck
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
Serious games are gaining ground in organizations. Not just because they’re “fun”, but because they have a proven impact on how people learn, remember, and collaborate. But what exactly is a serious game? And why should your organization use one?
What is a serious game?
A serious game is designed with a purpose beyond pure entertainment. It’s not about winning or losing, but about learning, practicing, or raising awareness.
Think of:
A simulation where employees can safely experiment.
A game that sheds light on complex topics such as safety, sustainability, or financial processes.
Why does it work so well?
Active learning: Instead of passively listening, participants actively engage.
Safe environment: Mistakes are allowed and often lead to the best insights.
Motivation and engagement: Game mechanics (challenge, feedback, rewards) keep people involved.
Long-term impact: Because participants experience the learning, they remember it better than through traditional training.
Examples of serious games in practice
On our site you’ll find many examples of serious games used daily in companies and universities worldwide. Here are just a few:
Working Capital Challenge: A board game where employees learn what working capital is and how their decisions influence it.
SDGame: A serious game that provides insights into sustainable entrepreneurship.
What does this bring to organizations?
Companies that use serious games often see:
Higher employee engagement
Faster learning curves
Better transfer of learning into practice
And all this in a cost-efficient way.
Serious games are not a gimmick, but a powerful learning tool. They combine fun with impact, ensuring that employees not only learn more effectively, but also apply what they’ve learned.
At Wakaaro, we specialize in developing serious games, gamification, and interactive learning solutions on any topic, for every budget, and in any format, digital or physical. Do you have a challenge or goal you’d like to tackle in a playful yet effective way?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’d love to explore the possibilities with you.
