Design and development of a hybrid casual game with donation-based gameplay and persuasive game elements

Abstract

This thesis explores the intersection of hybrid casual games and persuasive games through the design and development of PlayForOceans, a mobile game with donation-based gameplay aimed to support ocean cleanup projects. The work begins with a description of the ecological and social context that motivated this work, emphasizing the urgency of combating marine pollution and the potential of easily accessible game formats aiming to reach a large audience. The theoretical foundation combines insights from game studies and persuasive technologies, focusing on the concept of procedural rhetoric and the persuasive system design model, as well as market insights of hybrid casual game trends. Building on this framework, the thesis analyzes selected hybrid casual and persuasive games to identify design principles and monetization strategies that can both engage players and convey a meaningful message. These findings directly inform the design and implementation of PlayForOceans, which is a persuasive hybrid casual game with the goal to entertain while raising awareness and funds for real-world causes. The work concludes with a discussion of the game’s potential impact, its alignment with the research question, and possible directions for future development and research.