The Ludum Platform

Exploring the impact of game design on prosocial behavior in children's digital play

Abstract

This study investigates how specific game mechanics in digital play influence prosocial behavior in children, focusing on resource sharing under varying levels of perceived risk. Using a custom-designed video game, The Ludum Detector, researchers controlled game mechanics to measure how children weigh costs and benefits in decision-making. Forty-six 8-year-olds (23 boys, 23 girls) participated as part of a larger project, encountering donation prompts after completing levels with high, medium, or low perceived risk. Preliminary findings reveal that children shared fewer resources in higher-risk conditions, even when not in a competitive or cooperative context, with significant differences between high- and low-risk and medium- and low-risk scenarios. No differences in behavior were observed between sexes. These results suggest that perceived personal risk strongly influences prosocial decisions, providing insights for designing digital games and educational tools that foster cooperation, empathy, and generosity in children.