Abstract
Serious games ( SG s) are purpose-driven digital games designed primarily for learning and training outcomes rather than entertainment. SG s are widely used in disaster education, but few achieve sustained use and long-term adoption. Therefore, assessing current research on disaster-related SG s is crucial to identify strategies that support their sustainability. This review identifies the technologies and techniques used by 42 successfully launched SG s. This analysis highlights the need to combine gamified applications with structured teaching to improve disaster education. Our findings show that SG s are more likely to succeed when developed using robust testing and release frameworks. Success also depends on cross-platform compatibility, continuous engagement, social learning, emerging technologies, and effective promotion. However, few SG s are designed for long-term sustainability, and limited integration of land use and the built environment reduces users’ spatial understanding of disasters. Our findings directly support SDG s 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action).