TY - CHAP
T1 - The Potential of Virtual Reality Games to Foster Eco-Friendly Behavior: A Theoretical Approach
AU - Mohammadpourlima, Naghmeh
AU - Alizadminaabad, Farshid
AU - Hosseini, Homa
AU - Lü, Xiaoshu
AU - Nygård, Mikael
PY - 2026
Y1 - 2026
N2 - Virtual Reality (VR) is used for many purposes, such as gaming, watching movies, learning, therapy, and social interaction. This paper focuses on using VR games to raise awareness and encourage eco-friendly behavior. We reviewed scientific articles from the Scopus database using keywords related to VR games, the environment, and behavior change. We selected the most relevant studies and reviewed VR games designed to promote pro-environmental behavior. Then, we examined important theories about behavior and learning and connected key ideas from these theories to specific features of VR games. By analyzing these links, the study shows that VR games have great potential to support behavior change, increase environmental knowledge, and promote eco-friendly actions. It provides valuable insights for game designers, educators, researchers, and policymakers seeking to leverage VR technology for environmental education and behavior change interventions. Finally, we suggest designing VR games to achieve a stronger positive effect on behavior and help people act in more eco-friendly ways.
AB - Virtual Reality (VR) is used for many purposes, such as gaming, watching movies, learning, therapy, and social interaction. This paper focuses on using VR games to raise awareness and encourage eco-friendly behavior. We reviewed scientific articles from the Scopus database using keywords related to VR games, the environment, and behavior change. We selected the most relevant studies and reviewed VR games designed to promote pro-environmental behavior. Then, we examined important theories about behavior and learning and connected key ideas from these theories to specific features of VR games. By analyzing these links, the study shows that VR games have great potential to support behavior change, increase environmental knowledge, and promote eco-friendly actions. It provides valuable insights for game designers, educators, researchers, and policymakers seeking to leverage VR technology for environmental education and behavior change interventions. Finally, we suggest designing VR games to achieve a stronger positive effect on behavior and help people act in more eco-friendly ways.
U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-18818-2_12
DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-18818-2_12
M3 - Chapter
SN - 978-3-032-18817-5
VL - 827
T3 - Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
SP - 135
EP - 147
BT - Innovation in Urban and Regional Planning - Proceedings of INPUT 2025
A2 - De Lotto, Roberto
A2 - Venco, Elisabetta
A2 - Pietra, Caterina
ER -