QR HUG: A Study on the Development of a Game to Manage a Shelter Using QR Codes

Background. The game, HUG (Hinanjo Unei Game) is used to experience the management of a Japanese evacuation shelter. However, there are issues such as the game is not very effective for specialists, temporal constraints of the game and information of the evacuees are too explicit. Method. We developed a new HUG game called QR HUG game by extending the previous HUG game. To improve the problems of the existing HUG game, we printed the QR code on the existing HUG game cards and developed a dedicated app. With the new HUG game, we aimed to achieve our three goals, such as to make players understand the importance of collaboration among specialists. Results. We implemented the new HUG game in the lecture of professional workers engaged in health care support activities on a disaster. Over 90% of the participants evaluated the game with a QR code as meaningful from the viewpoint of professionals. Our three goals were achieved, but it became clear that game system enhancement was required.