Crisis Preparedness Through Casual Gaming? - A Self-Efficacy Perspective

Natural disasters pose a recurring global challenge, yet sustainable preparedness remains challenging. However, there is one context in which individuals often voluntarily engage with natural disasters: casual games. While serious games can effectively enhance self-efficacy – a key predictor of disaster preparedness – casual games are generally not designed for this purpose. To explore how casual games may support self-efficacy development, this study examines how natural disaster-themed casual games incorporate features associated with self-efficacy. Through a systematic search and analysis, we examine and map how game design features may afford relevant sources of self-efficacy. Our findings suggest that current implementations offer ample opportunities for mastery and vicarious experiences, while other sources of self-efficacy are less frequently addressed. Our research provides a first systematic overview of self-efficacy-related game design features in disaster-themed casual games and offers a foundation for future research on the potential of such games to support crisis preparedness.