Gamification Approaches to Immigrants Experiences and Issues

Abstract

Societies throughout today’s global village are increasingly aware of the social injustices that minorities face, and immigrants are no exception. Combined with the lack of adaptation resources and the prejudice of non-migrant residents, immigrants may feel powerless in foreign places as they try to find comfort and security in new and unfamiliar environments. It is increasingly urgent to address immigrant issues, considering the crucial role of enhancing diversity, combating prejudice, and raising awareness of minority experiences. This systematic literature review investigates the innovative use of gamification in exploring and addressing the experiences and issues immigrants face. The review follows the PRISMA statement guidelines and checklist. Scopus, CINAHL, and Medline databases were searched, resulting in 17 relevant articles that were carefully analyzed. This research highlights the diverse applications of gamification in studying immigrant experiences via role-playing, interactive storytelling, and empathy-building simulations. This work explores the potential of gamified interventions in addressing pressing issues immigrants face and assesses their effectiveness in fostering empathy and intercultural communication. It also identifies gaps in the existing information sciences literature and proposes directions for future research. In conclusion, this review sheds light on the emerging field of gamification in immigration studies and games studies in the information sciences, providing valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working with immigrant communities worldwide.