Open data holds the potential for public understanding of social issues. In recent years, open data hackathons have emerged as an approach to address social issues with open data. However, hackathons focus on technical solutions and are only suitable for involving an expert audience. There is a need for an approach enabling non-experts to participate to collectively explore social issues with open data. In this research, we developed a game jam approach for beginners. The participants collectively design a video game, and in doing so they articulate social issues. To evaluate the approach, we conducted a series of three game jams, and tested them through non-participant observation, pre and posttest surveys, and analysis of the games produced by participants. We found that the use of available open datasets was limited. Participants were able to produce minimal but functional game prototypes in which the social issues were present. Participants found it difficult to set up collaborative work around the game engine, which limited social learning.

The implementation of open data policies requires the efforts of many public employees across different levels of government, who may be unaware of the benefits and risks of open data. Serious games have demonstrated potential for training in a professional environment. For this research, a collaborative digital serious game about open data was developed. A sample of 24 civil servants played the game. Pre-test and post-test surveys were used to evaluate the effects of the game on participants’ perception of open data. Likert score changes between pre-test and post-test indicated that the game had a positive effect on the willingness to share public sector data. By simulating the setting of a public office and by having players make decisions about whether to open certain datasets, the game facilitated learning about the benefits and disadvantages of opening data.