Gaming for Green: A Systematic Review of Digital Games Promoting Sustainable Household Beliefs and Behaviors

Households are integral to the transition towards sustainability. Sustainable household behaviors directly influence energy, water, mobility, and waste impacts, while also serving as inspiration for the broader community. However, adopting sustainable practices remains a significant challenge. This paper reviews how digital serious games and gamified applications can support sustainable consumption and production within households, contributing to the United Nations' Sustainability Development Goal 12. Based on a systematic literature review, we (1) synthesize gameplay outcomes across affective/cognitive and behavioral impacts, (2) identify fundamental game elements and the role of the digital component, and (3) outline future research avenues. Our findings show that the diverse settings and dynamics of households require careful contextualization of game elements and overall gameplay. This study seeks to unpack and leverage the auspicious potential of digital games to help transform households into more sustainable entities.