A Gaia‐Inspired Framework for Geogames: Bridging Theory and Practice to Design and Assess Games

Source abstract

The field of geogames, positioned at the intersection of serious games and geographic information systems (GIS), remains theoretically fragmented and underexplored. This article addresses that gap by introducing a novel framework that integrates game studies with the Gaia hypothesis, as proposed by Lovelock and Margulis and expanded through post‐humanist perspectives. While game studies provide valuable insights into mechanics, narratives, and player engagement, they often overlook the spatial, ecological, and systemic dimensions essential to geogames. Gaia theory, which conceptualizes Earth as a self‐regulating system of interdependent components, offers a systems‐thinking approach that aligns with the ecological and urban complexities modeled in geogames. This article critiques the anthropocentric bias in current geogame design, advocating for an ecocentric paradigm. To this end, based on the theoretical foundation, we propose four lenses of geogames (Gaia + Games): feedback mechanisms, co‐evolutionary dynamics, multispecies interactions, and planetary thresholds. These four lenses are then further explained and operationalized into a Gaia Design Framework—a toolbox for both geogame design and assessment. By synthesizing Gaia’s principles with urban and architectural analysis, our framework illustrates how geogames can serve as powerful tools to foster collaborative design, model human and non‐human complexities, and explore regenerative solutions to pressing urban and planetary challenges. Our study challenges scholars and practitioners to rethink the role of games in shaping sustainable futures, positioning geogames as critical methods and tools for addressing the intertwined crises of urbanization and ecological and climate degradation.