Evaluating a Requirements Engineering Framework for Serious Games for Health

• Bruna M. Barbosa UFG
• Carlos Henrique R. Souza UFG
• Halleffy H. Reis Santos UFG
• Pedro M. R. G. Silva UFG
• Luciana O. Berretta UFG
• Sergio T. Carvalho UFG

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/se4games.2026.32898

Resumo

The development of Serious Games for Health (SGH) requires balancing playful engagement with clinical effectiveness. However, many approaches rely on ad hoc practices that lack governance, traceability, and integration between clinical knowledge and game design. This paper evaluates a Requirements Engineering (RE) framework designed to support SGH development by translating clinical needs into auditable and traceable technical specifications. The framework is based on the People-Processes-Products triad and integrates RE practices with process maturity. We conducted a case study involving adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) supported by a multidisciplinary team to evaluate the framework in practice. The process employs a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) to connect clinical rules, implementation decisions, and individualized Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The results indicate that the framework supports the systematic translation of clinical requirements into implemented game mechanics while preserving traceability throughout the development process. The use of structured artifacts, including the RTM and ScriptableObjects, enables traceability across development stages, supports the analysis of implementation decisions in relation to clinical objectives, and facilitates communication among multidisciplinary stakeholders. The findings provide evidence of the framework’s applicability and suggest that traceability mechanisms contribute to a more structured and repeatable development process for serious games.

Palavras-chave: Requirements Engineering, Serious Games for Health, Case Study, Autism Spectrum Disorder

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