Public Outreach through Serious Games: The Case of ArchéoSport

Public outreach aims to make scientific knowledge accessible to the widest possible audience by fostering exchange, understanding and critical thinking. Among the innovative tools currently being used, serious games are playing an increasingly prominent role, thanks to their ability to combine learning and entertainment. By drawing on experimentation, motivation, social interaction and learning from mistakes, they enable participants to engage actively with knowledge. The game ArchéoSport, developed at the Université de Montpellier Paul-Valéry, illustrates this approach. Created as part of research into the archaeology of sport and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it invites participants to explore the evolution of sporting practices from the Neolithic period to the contemporary era. Using a timeline and cards depicting archaeological artefacts, players identify, date and interpret remains associated with ancient physical activities. Beyond the history of sport, the game raises awareness of archaeological methods, develops critical thinking, and addresses social issues such as the role of women, disability, and the religious, political and educational functions of sport. Developed collaboratively by researchers, museums and sports institutions, ArchéoSport demonstrates the potential of serious games as tools for public outreach. Despite the challenges involved in their design and in assessing their impact, such initiatives offer an effective approach to strengthening scientific literacy and bringing research closer to society.